AIMS Games tournament opens on Sunday | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

More than 4,600 middle school students from 121 New Zealand schools are set to participate in the annual, week-long NZCT AIMS National Sporting Championships in Tauranga next week; making it the largest AIMS Games tournament since the start eight years ago. 

 “We know sport helps grow healthy communities and getting young people into sport is one of the best things we can do – that’s why NZCT is a proud supporter of the 2011 AIMS Games,” says NZCT CEO Mike Knell.  “We wish the organisers, competitors, managers, coaches and their supporters all the very best for this year’s NZCT AIMS Games.”

The NZCT AIMS Games kick off on Sunday with the Cross Country event at Welcome Bay’s Waipuna Park, followed by the ever popular Opening Ceremony to be held at the new TECT Arena in Mt Maunganui.  The Opening Ceremony is the first event to be staged in the TECT Arena. 

AIMS Games competitors, friends and families will be inspired and motivated by World Champion and 2000 Olympic Gold Medallist Rob Waddell at the Opening Ceremony, while 2004 Olympic Cycling Gold Medalist Sarah Ulmer will join in festivities later in the week and attend the Coaches and Managers evening. 

The Bay of Plenty Times reporters and photographers will be supporting the event with intensive coverage. See bayofplentytimes.co.nz during the week for photo galleries, stories, video footage and more AIMS Games news.