Tauranga's premier sporting tournament has received yet another accolade, with the NZCT AIMS GAMES recognised for event excellence at the annual Sport New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards in Auckland.

Over the last 11 years, NZCT AIMS GAMES has grown to be New Zealand's largest junior sporting festival – expanding from four sporting codes and 750 participants in 2004, to 17 sporting codes and 7500 competitors last year.

Waterpolo action at the 2014 AIMS Games. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

The Sport New Zealand judging notes concludes that the 2014 edition of the tournament 'was an outstanding success, exhibiting a high level of professionalism in event management achieved on a limited budget, and representing an event intricately linked with the community.”

Tournament director Vicki Semple says the support of the New Zealand Community Trust and TECT had been key factors in the growth of the event, while the NZCT AIMS GAMES trust had shown amazing vision to realise the dream of creating memories for generations of young athletes.

'We're delighted with this award and we're so proud that we've managed to impact the lives of thousands of aspiring athletes over the years by creating an iconic event people are passionate about,” says Semple.

'We're also proud of the long-lasting partnerships we've formed - with businesses, supporters and our amazing code coordinators - which will continue to grow the event in years to come.”

It proved to be a big night for Sport Bay of Plenty, with the regional sporting body also collecting the Communications Excellence award.

In the last two years, Sport Bay of Plenty has raised their overall profile, while generating awareness of the organisation as the leader of sport and recreation in the region, with the development of a brand and website kicking off the new communications strategy.

Judges note a variety of channels have been utilised across traditional and digital media, in recognition of the diverse audiences in the Bay, but with consistent messaging and branding.

'Significant emphasis was also placed on including all staff as the ‘voice' of the organisation, and they have now become regular contributors to the weekly digital and regional print forums,” say the judges.

Sport Bay of Plenty chief executive Heidi Lichtwark said: 'Sport Bay of Plenty is delighted to be recognized amongst our peers.

'Utilising the expertise of all our staff across our multi-channel approach has proven effective, not only for the community but also to highlight the knowledge and experience we have in our organization.”

Meanwhile, the NZCT AIMS GAMES - due to be held from September 6-11 - will have yachting joining the list of sporting codes on offer with another record-breaking attendance likely.

Last year, a total of 228 schools from around the country took part at 15 different venues across the Western Bay of Plenty, generating 37,500 visitor nights and contributing $1.52 million to the region's economy.

'This event is now a significant contributor to the economic prosperity of our city and that's reflected in the support Tauranga City Council gives it each year,” says council's manager for strategic events Pip Loader.

'It's shaken up Tauranga's reputation as a summer-only city and shows the region can host major events all year round.”