Tournament director Vicki Semple is ready for the invasion of the AIMS Games.

Talented sportspeople from intermediate and middle schools are putting in their final training ahead of the 10th NZCT AIMS Games which starts in Tauranga on Sunday.

Tournament director Vicki Semple is picking the six-day-long tournament, attracting a record 6500 students competing on sports fields, courts and pools around the Western Bay, will be the best yet.

Vicki says it is exciting to see the event get bigger and better every year, with this year's 16-code tournament attracting almost 10 times the 750, who took part in the first tournament.

Along with the high standard of games, Vicki is looking forward to the 'exciting buzz” around the city.

'I love being out and about and seeing the 193 schools in their min-vans all blinged out getting around the venues, I just love the vibe all around.”

Vicki, who has organised the tournament since it began in 2004, says the only thing left to organise is some good weather.

'It's the one thing beyond our control. I never ever look at the weather forecast, but we do have plans in place for anything that comes our way.”

Every year the tournament has grown in size its reputation has followed – this year attracting 193 schools, up from 165 last year - a success Vicki says is a tribute to everyone involved in the organising committee.

'The growth in athlete numbers confirms the tournament's value as a pathway to sporting success and future champions.”

After attracting its first two Australian schools last year the international numbers have grown to seven schools from across the Tasman, as well as the first team from Rarotonga for the tournament from September 15 to 20.

Vicki says the visiting contingents are 'adding a really exciting international flavour” to what she says is already an exciting celebration of sport.

The tournament will see intermediate-aged pupils compete in codes from traditional sports soccer, rugby and netball to waterpolo, golf, indoor bowls, squash and gym sport.

Competitors, coaches and supporters will arrive over the weekend, ahead of the opening ceremony on Sunday night – which has sold out with all 7274 tickets available.

Sport BOP marketing manager Melanie Short says having a sell-out crowd for the opening ceremony was a 'phenomenal” way to begin the tournament.

The opening ceremony, with guest speaker basketball legend Dillon Boucher, is being held at the Lion Foundation Centre Main Arena and telecast on a large screen in the neighbouring ASB Baypark Arena Court.