“The strength of community is built on the back of good people giving up their time to do something for nothing other than to make a difference.”

These are the words spoken by Gareth Wallis as the Zespri AIMS Games this week honours those who have gone before, to create what has become one of New Zealand’s greatest sporting achievements.

On Sunday evening, ahead of the 7pm Opening Ceremony at Mercury Baypark Arena, organisers of the games came together with sponsors and supporters to acknowledge 20 years since its inception.

Following a musical performance by Georgia Lines while people arrived, and a welcome by MC Gareth Wallis and Henk Popping, current and previous trustees were asked to come forward.

Brian Diver from Tauranga Intermediate, Bruce Dalgety from Te Puke Intermediate, Royston Scholes and Lisa Morrisey from Mount Maunganui Intermediate, and Henk Popping from Otumoetai Intermediate all received special mention.

The AIMS Games Trust is a strategic partnership between the four founding intermediate schools - Otumoetai Intermediate, Mount Maunganui Intermediate, Tauranga Intermediate and Te Puke Intermediate; Sport Bay of Plenty and Tauranga City Council.

Zespri New Zealand government & regulatory affairs manager Rachel Lynch speaking at the AIMS Games VIP function acknowledging the trustees. Photo: JK Photography.

Advisory trustees from Sport New Zealand, ACC and NZAIMS - New Zealand Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools - also work alongside the trust to provide strategic advice on the continued development of the Zespri AIMS Games.

Joining Henk on stage were also current voting trustees Melissa Nelson from Mount Intermediate, Cameron Mitchell from Tauranga Intermediate and Heidi Lichtwark from Sport BOP.

Absent from the event but also acknowledged were Sabrina Jackson from Tauranga Intermediate, John Stanley from Otumoetai Intermediate, and Jill Weldon from Te Puke Intermediate.

The late Allison Stewart, who was the promotions manager at Classic Hits was also acknowledged.

Other people who have played significant roles over the last 20 years include Wayne Werder - Sport BOP, Dame Susan Devoy - Sport BOP, Vicki Semple – tournament director for 17 years, Jenny Croasdale – long-serving trust administrator, and Rob Egan who was appointed as a mayoral trustee when the trust was originally formed back in 2011.

Brian Kelly, announcer at Classic Hits who was unable to attend on Sunday originally coined the phrase ‘AIMS Games’.

Henk Popping being thanked by Sports Minister Hon Grant Robertson. Photo: JK Photography.

“Everyone we’ve mentioned tonight has been an integral part of helping to create something pretty special and it’s right that we acknowledge them for the contribution they’ve made. Thank you,” says Gareth.

“Henk is future-focused setting up people to succeed, but it’s fitting that we acknowledge that this year marks 20 years since the inception of the AIMS Games.”

Brian and Henk came up with the AIMS Games concept while driving to a principals' conference in Napier in 2003.

They wanted to raise the profile and perception of the NZAIMS and decided sport was the perfect vehicle.  A year later, the first AIMS Games, hosted by the four local intermediate schools was held in Tauranga with 17 schools entered.

Their gambit has been an unprecedented success

“It’s a no brainer for us at Zespri to support the AIMS Games,” says Zespri New Zealand government & regulatory affairs manager Rachel Lynch.

“We can see first-hand the dedication, team work, and healthy lifestyle.”

Georgia Lines performing at the function. Photo: JK Photography.

Since its inception in 2004, the Zespri AIMS Games have grown from 760 competitors representing 17 schools and four sporting codes, to the seven-day 2023 tournament which has welcomed 11,733 competitors, representing 374 schools and 25 sporting codes.

The remarkable achievement over the 20 years has seen a simple concept that Tauranga locals had, evolve into an event that in 2019 had 2.3 per cent more athletes than the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Even with this outstanding growth, the Zespri AIMS Games continues to be largely delivered by Tauranga locals and is successfully hosted within the region using existing public sport and recreation facilities.

Homes, maraes and motels across the city become packed out for the week of the games.

“Its growth is one of the most extraordinary things in New Zealand sport,” says Minister of Sport Grant Robertson who was also attending the Zespri AIMS Games opening ceremony following the acknowledgement of the trustees. 

“There are more New Zealand competitors at the AIMS Games than at the Paris Olympics. It’s an incredible sporting event.”

Grant also made mention of the 800 volunteers.

“Virtually nothing happens in New Zealand without the volunteers that make it happen."

He acknowledged the benefits of the games to the 11-13 year old participants, including learning skills of teamwork, the wellbeing, the athleticism. And he thanked the sponsors. 

“My granddaughter is playing in the AIMS Games this week. Without doubt this is the most exciting week of her life up until this point. Her journey into playing netball is what this is all about.

“Sports bind communities together and creates families. There are memories built for life and also that connection to one another, the power of sport.”

He says an event like the AIMS Games is “so important” for the development of young people. 

“Events like this have the most amazing impact on competitors and those around them.”

A kapa haka group performed. Photo: JK Photography.