The Zespri AIMS Games will regain its international status for the first time in four years, when the massive intermediate-aged sporting tournament kicks off in September.

Among the nearly-200 schools which have already registered for this year's games are a number from the Pacific Islands.

Fiji's Gospel Primary is sending a boys' rugby sevens team again - having done so pre-Covid in 2019 - while four Cook Island schools will be represented by badminton players.

"The kids are just so excited to be going to AIMS and probably understand how lucky they are that the opportunity has come back around at the right moment for them," says Cook Island Badminton president Thomas Ngauru.

"We do have a lot of envious players who were unable to attend the last three games, having to watch a whole new group of kids get the amazing opportunity. They are so eager, they wish it was next week."

The tournament is now in its 20th year, although 2020 and 2021 were not held because of Covid restrictions.

There is still another month for schools to enter and tournament director Kelly Schischka is confident last year's 10,500 entries will be equalled or surpassed.

"There was such a buzz last year when we were able to put the tournament on again and that positivity and momentum has definitely carried over to this year," she says.

"The interest started as soon as the school year kicked off and hasn't really let up since."

This year's tournament will run from September 2-8, with Zespri entering the second year as naming-rights partner.

"We're really pleased to partner again and to see the positive impact the event has on the lives of young athletes from across the country and also this year the Pacific," says Zespri's head of global public affairs Michael Fox.

"This tournament brings so much joy and a real sense of community to so many people and helps promote participation in sports and healthy lifestyles which is why we're such strong supporters.

" It's especially important for those schools in regions that have been impacted by flooding and weather events, and we hope it provides a welcome reprieve for those athletes, volunteers and supporters as they come together for an amazing week of sport."

The tournament is also a flagship event for Tauranga City Council, with manager of venues and events, Nelita Byrne, delighted to see an international contingent back here again.

'We can't wait to build on the success of last year's tournament by welcoming international athletes to Tauranga Moana this year,” she says.

'It's such a privilege to host rangatahi from across Aotearoa and the Pacific to create lifelong memories in our beautiful city.”

Schools still have nearly a month to register for this year's tournament, with entries closing at midnight on May 31.