This year's record breaking AIMS Games success continues to flow into the community, injecting nearly $2 million into the city's economy and contributing $1.52 million to Western Bay of Plenty's GDP.

The event is New Zealand's largest junior sporting festival with more than 7250 intermediate-aged students taking part in September's week-long championships.

Teams competing in water polo during this year's AIMS Games. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

With more athletes than the Commonwealth Games, this year's AIMS Games attracted 13,800 people including 7,320 competitors, 1,760 teachers and helpers, and 4,720 supporters – 68 per cent of whom were visitors to the western Bay of Plenty.

The athletes were from 228 schools, competing in 17 different sports.

The premier sporting event is a strategic partnership between Sport Bay of Plenty, Tauranga City Council and the four Western Bay of Plenty intermediate schools.

The council, who contributed $30,000 to the games, commissioned an economic evaluation of the event, looking at the financial costs and benefits from the event on the western Bay of Plenty.

The report shows the games attracting 9400 visitors to the Western Bay, generating 37,500 visitor nights with each visitor staying an average of four nights.

Visitors spent $1.96m through goods and services including accommodation, food and beverage, transport, retail shopping, attractions and entertainment.

The event also injected an additional $390,000 into the regional economy over and above the cost to organise the event - a 607 per cent return on regional investment.

Tauranga City Mayor Stuart Crosby says the AIMS Games have become a major event for the city and highlight the calibre and accessibility of venues and facilities in the city.

He says: 'With more athletes than the Commonwealth Games, the AIMS Games had a positive off-peak impact for tourism, accommodation and local businesses.

'It showcased 15 of our venues and facilities, including golf courses, sports fields and facilities, aquatic centres, ASB Arena and McLaren Falls Park.”

Stuart is delighted with the return on investment to the local economy from the event saying TCC is continuing to invest in major events as a significant contributor to the Tauranga economy.

He adds: 'In our 2014/15 Annual Plan, we allocated $382,000 from rates for events in the city as part of our Events Investment Strategy, plus $200,000 from external funders for major events.

'In addition to the direct economic spin offs from hosting major events - accommodation, food and beverage, transport, retail shopping, attractions and entertainment - they add to the vibrancy of our city and help support future growth and prosperity.”

Sailing will be included in next year's event, following a proposal by Yachting New Zealand, increasing the number of sports to 18 – the same number of sports as the Commonwealth Games.

'Introducing sailing will be an additional opportunity to showcase Tauranga Harbour,” says Stuart.

Tournament director Vicki Semple says the 11th AIMS Games were the biggest yet in what was a unforgettable week of sport.

'Tauranga came alive in a massive way,” says Vicki, 'and local businesses in particular have been absolutely delighted with the boost they received. The tournament was again a huge success and received very positive feedback.”