AIMS Games a boon for businesses | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

Western Bay accommodation providers and cafes are eagerly awaiting the arrival of 4600 intermediate pupils and supporters set to descend on the region for the 2011 NZCT AIMS Games on Sunday.

Greerton Lodge Motel is booked out from Monday until Thursday next week, a welcome reprieve from a quiet winter month.

"It's been great for us.

"It's been a very quiet month so that just tops it off quite nicely," a spokesperson said.

At Mount Backpackers, new owner Yvonne Barker said AIMS Games provided a great boost to the business with about 27 people booked in for the duration of the six-day tournament.

"I've only just bought it, to have a week like this popped in is great.

"It's a great start to the summer.

"We're completely booked out, they leave on Friday morning, I think most backpackers will be booked out," she said.

Meanwhile owner of Pluto Soup, Juice and Salad Bars in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui Helen Kiernan said the business had provided vouchers for the sports teams to refuel between games.

"We've actually got vouchers out for teams for AIMS Games so we're kind of supporting them and expecting a bit in return," she said.

She expected takings to be up at both juice bars during the "exciting" tournament.

"We have [been busier] in previous years.

"There's no reason to think that it's going to be any different this year, it's a really excellent event to have here in Tauranga," Mrs Kiernan said.

Meanwhile, owner of beachfront cafe The Coffee Club Janet Kim was hoping AIMS Games visitors would enjoy a coffee at the beach between events.

"Anything special happening in Tauranga will be good for locals," she said.

In its ninth year, the tournament for elite intermediate-aged athletes was created by Western Bay principals Brian Diver and Henk Popping and is recognised as the country's most prestigious tournament for intermediate pupils.

Creators of the tournament, Otumoetai Intermediate school principal Henk Popping and Tauranga Intermediate school principal Brian Diver, are excited to see the tournament develop and expand each year. And 2011 is no exception - it's the biggest tournament since its inception.

"We were sitting in a car together going to a conference, we often shared cars, and we began talking," Mr Popping said.

"Both schools are very strong in sports and are very competitive and we both have the philosophy and wanted to see elite athletes competing in a tournament aimed at the best of the best, so we contacted the other Intermediate schools, Mount and Te Puke, and the idea was soon set in motion.

"That was back in 2003 and the first games were in 2004."

Mr Diver said he was "sick and tired of participation focused events that were politically correct" and wanted to develop a tournament that celebrated sporting excellence across New Zealand.

"Kids want to succeed and parents want the opportunity to see their kids competing and see how good they are."

The AIMS Games started from humble beginnings - four sporting codes, 22 schools and 830 competitors.

Today, eight tournaments later, 4600 pupils from 121 New Zealand intermediate schools are set to compete in 15 sporting codes.

The competition is the highlight of the sporting calendar for intermediate-aged pupils across the country.

"We're really heartened to see it grow and we're hoping it will continue to grow in the future," Mr Popping said.

AIMS Games is a flagship event and heavily supported by Tauranga City Council. As part of the Games' agreement with the council, organisers are looking to expand the competition and invite international athletes.

"Our vision is to include international kids to this competition, they will represent their school and come here and compete against top New Zealand pupils in 15 sporting codes," Mr Diver said.

"We're aiming to work towards this for 2012."

Mr Diver said the tournament increased the profile of intermediate schools, allowed the opportunity for healthy competition and attracted people and money into the Western Bay of Plenty region. He and Mr Popping were grateful for the support from the games' sponsors, Tauranga City Council, Sport Bay of Plenty and the New Zealand Community Trust.

AIMS Games coverage

Make sure you buy the Bay of Plenty Times every day next week for photos and stories from the tournament. Each day, we will publish a page of photos from the games - which you can also buy. Or you can check out our stories on bayofplentytimes.co.nz