NZAIMS GAMES PRESS RELEASES
BOP Times website photo sales page (these photos have appeared in the newspaper) www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/photosales/
BOP Times quikpix website where all of their photos are available to order (please note they can sometimes take up to a week to appear online) www.bayofplentytimes.quikpix.co.nz
Video of Opening Ceremony
Links to BOP Times Articles and Images - updated 9/9 at 7.45pm
http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/sport/news/gold-makes-his-canterbury-mums-day/3921974/
http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/sport/news/puru-takes-special-status-in-his-stride/3922074/
Links to BOP Times Articles and Images - updated 8/9 at 10.00pm
http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/sport/news/defending-champs-set-top-aims/3921785/
http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/sport/news/kingi-feels-the-heat-again-after-chill/3921753/
PRESS RELEASE - 8 September 2010
CHRISTCHURCH YOUNGSTER TAKES GOLD
The earthquakes back home weren’t enough to rock Christchurch South Intermediate Year 8
Multisport competitor Rainer Pye; instead he used thoughts of home as motivation on the
challenging AIMS Games Multisport course at Tauranga’s McLarens Falls Park. As the only
competitor from the South in this event and a first timer to the NZCT AIMS Games, Rye was
ranked as an outsider.
In the largest and most competitive field of the day, Pye was 25th out of the water from the
kayak leg with a lot of work to do to catch local leaders in the colours of Tauranga and
Otumoetai Intermediate. Chasing the top nine finishers from last year’s race, Rye gave it his
all in the farmland of McLarens Falls Park to place himself 3rd at the end of the wet and
technical downhill Mountain Bike.
With a medal in his sights Pye dug deep in the pursuit of Tauranga Intermediate’s Cameron
Wells and Otumoetai Intermediate’s Isiah Duncanson on the demanding hill climb that
confronts athletes at the start of the run leg. As the run leg hit the shores of Lake McLaren,
Pye had secured a firm lead on the field and with thoughts of home in his mind the
Christchurch youngster would not be challenged.
Moments after crossing the line Pye reached for a cell phone to call home with the news of
his win, telling race organisers how much it meant to him to call home with some good
news after the devastation they have been facing. “It was cool to call home and give Mum
some good news. She hasn’t had a lot of that in the past few days.” Pye said.
In the delight of calling home the humble gold medallist failed to mention that the event
also marked his 13th birthday.
Christchurch South Intermediate feature in six events at this year’s NZCT AIMS Games
National Sport Championships including Cross Country, Football, Netball, Swimming, Tennis
and today’s Multisport event. Christchurch South students were given the option of staying
home with their families following the quake that hit Christchurch on Saturday morning; but
after months of fundraising by their community, classmates, friends and family the team all
headed north.
In the other races of the day, a new course record was set in the Y7 boy’s event by Fergus
Kirk who ran a superb race. Leading out of the kayak, through the Mountain bike section
and onto the run, Fergus was too fast overall and finished in a new course record for Y7
boys of 37 minutes and 45 seconds.
Kirsty Burrows emerged last year for Otumoetai Intermediate becoming one to watch as she
demolished her field in the mountain bike section to go on and win the Y7 girls event for
2009. Returning in 2010, Kirsty was well down in the kayak leg but once again had
arguably the best girl’s mountian bike of the day and a very fast run to take out the Y8 girls’
race for 2010 and setting a new course record of 38 minutes and 45 seconds in the process.
Ilminster Intermediate of Gisborne were the come from behind champions for the day,
taking out the schools championship relay. Fourth out of the water in the kayak and holding
onto 5th heading into the run, Ilminster had a blistering run to lead home Taupo
Intermediate in silver and Tauranga Intermediate for bronze.
Kirsten McLeod
Marketing Coordinator
Links to BOP Times Articles and Images - updated 7/9 at 1.00pm
http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/sport/news/second-day-of-nzct-aims-games/3921650/
http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/sport/news/matthew-rises-to-the-challenge/3921628/
PRESS RELEASE - 6 September 2010
PEACHGROVE INTERMEDIATE CLAIM FIRST BADMINTON
GOLD MEDAL
Overcast but mild weather conditions, greeted competitors in the first full day of competition in the 7th NZCT AIMS GAMES being held in the Western Bay of Plenty.
The Mount Sports Centre, was the venue for the gold medal contest in the boy’s singles of the Badminton competition. In the final, Vineet Singh who was the sole representative from Peachgrove Intermediate in Hamilton, won a rousing contest against the number one seed Daniel Thomsen (Havelock North).
The Waikato player who was the tournament third seed, took out the first set 21-16, before wrapping up the championship with a 21-7 victory in the second set.
EJ Brioens from Murrays Bay who was unseeded, claimed the bronze medal beating second seed Ben Rose (Berkley Normal) winning 21-11, 21-10. The boy’s doubles will be held tomorrow, with the girl’s singles on Wednesday (8 September 2010).
Golf took centre stage at the Omanu Gold course in Mount Maunganui. Despite very trying conditions there were some hot scores posted by some of the young golfers. The boys gross was led by Sam Vincent (Berkley) who shot a 85, while Mikaera Tamihere (Putauaki) and Mana Howe (Opotiki) both posted 42 stableford points.
Opotiki youngster Tyla Kingi who recently won the National Under 15 Girls title, was in a class of her own in the girls gross. Skylah Pohatu (Gisborne) leads the girl’s stableford competition with 41 points, with Putauaki school in charge in the team competition.
Netball, which is one of the largest tournaments during the weeklong festival of sport, has attracted 48 teams from throughout the country. Defending champions Taupo Intermediate, found out that life can be tough as the defending titleholders, when they were defeated by Murrays Bays Intermediate 22-15.
Murrays Bay finished day one winning all three of their matches. Other sides to post an unbeaten record, included last years bronze medallists Te Puke Intermediate, along with Tauranga, Hastings, Rotorua and Glen Eden Intermediates.
Just down the road from netball, the Basketball competition got under way at the Mount Action Centre. Defending boys champions Cobham Intermediate from Christchurch, put the weekends Canterbury dramas behind them, with two solid victories. In the morning match-up they defeated Kristin School 56- 25 then went on to beat Waihi College 58-7 in the afternoon.
Girls titleholders Melville Intermediate also made a strong start to the defence of their crown. First up they beat Kaitao Intermediate 37-22, then got past start the title race on Wednesday.
NZCT AIMS GAMES Results Day Two (6 September 2010)
Badminton Boys Singles
Final: Vineet Singh (Peachgrove Int) defeated Daniel Thomsen (Havelock North Int) 21-16, 21-7.
Third Place: EJ Brioens (Murrays Bay Int) defeated Ben Rose (Berkley Normal) 21-11, 21-10.
Semi-finals: Vineet Singh defeated Ben Rose, Daniel Thomsen defeated EJ Brioens.
Golf
Boys Gross: 85 Sam Vincent (Lochiel) 86 Heriwini Hohepa (Te Awamutu)
88 Dallas Williams (Wairoa)
Bots Stableford: 42 Mikaera Tamihere (Putauaki) 42 Mana Howe (Opotiki)
40 Yvarne Carroll (Wairoa)
Girls Gross: 88 Tyla Kingi (Opotiki)
Girls Stableford: 41 Skylah Pohatu (Gisborne)
Teams: 116 Putauaki, 94 Ilminster. 89 Te Awamutu
Links to BOP Times Articles and Images - updated 6/9 at 3.00pm
http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/local/news/thousands-flood-into-city-for-aims-games/3921449/
http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/sport/news/games-off-to-record-breaking-start/3921433/
http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/local/news/quake-victims-face-new-threat/3921415/
PRESS RELEASE - 5 September 2010
A RACE RECORD HIGHLIGHTS THE OPENING DAY OF THE 2010 NZCT AIMS GAMES
A new race record and Tauranga Intermediate winning the 12k relay for the sixth time, were amongst the highlights of the cross-country event, on the opening day of the 2010 NZCT AIMS GAMES.
For the first time the cross-country event took place on day one. NZCT AIMS GAMES Tournament Director Vicki Semple said “the change to the opening day brought the rewards of a big crowd at Waipuna Park in Welcome Bay”. “Fine weather on Fathers Day, and the cross-country event being the only sport staged on the first day, ensured that we had a large and enthusiastic crowd of supporters at the event”.
Te Puke Intermediate runner Jessica Bitcheno not only added the Year 8 girl’s title to her Year 7 crown, which she won last year but she also set a new race record. Her time of 11 minutes 10 seconds beat the previous mark by three seconds, set by Holly Sprosen (Peachgrove) in 2006.
The Te Puke Intermediate runner, had a real battle with Kara MacDermid from Monrad Intermediate in Palmerston North, winning by just five seconds. The Monrad runner led for much of the race before being passed in Walnut Grove by Jessica. Meg Skilton from Stanley Avenue Primary finished in third place.
In the demanding 12 kilometre mixed relay, Tauranga Intermediate won the long distance race for the sixth time in seven years. Ilminster Intermediate made the early running, before Tauranga established a comfortable lead by the half way stage of the gruelling event.
At the finish Tauranga had a 34 second advantage from fellow Western Bay school Otumoetai Intermediate, with Ilminster holding on for the bronze medal.
The Year 7 boy’s title was taken out by Justin Mitchell from Tauranga Intermediate, who beat teammate Alex Revington by nearly ten seconds, with Mitch Regan (St Josephs Whakatane) finishing third. The first time runner in the NZCT AIMS GAMES said “ it was cool to take out the title. I was feeling nervous before the race but when I hit the lead I just wanted to win”.
The Year 8 boy’s title was won in impressive style by Leo Roper from Bucklands Beach Intermediate. The Auckland youngster had a twenty second advantage from Andrew Robinson (Tauranga Intermediate) with Dean Stafford from St Josephs Wairoa grabbing third place.
The first race of the day, which was the Year 7 girl’s event, was annexed by Tauranga’s Keely Grantham from Paige Satchall from Rotorua’s John Paul College, with Kaitlin Petherick from Pukekohe Intermediate in third place.
NZCT AIMS GAMES Day One (5 September 2010) Results
Year 7 Girls: 1st Keely Grantham 11m.37sec (Tauranga Int) 2nd Paige Satchall 11.47 (John Paul College) 3rd Kaitlin Petherick 12.11 (Pukekohe Int)
Year 7 Boys: 1st Justin Mitchell 11.02 (Tauranga Int) 2nd Alex Revington 11.11 (Tauranga Int) 3rd Mitch Regan 11.17 (St Josephs Whakatane)
Year 8 Girls: 1st Jessica Bitcheno 11.10 - new race record (Te Puke Int) 2nd Kara MacDermid 11.15 (Monrad Int PN) 3rd Meg Skilton 11.39 (Stanley Ave Primary)
Year 8 Boys: 1st Leo Roper 10.21 (Bucklands Beach Int) 2nd Andrew Robinson 10.41 (Tauranga Int) 3rd Dean Stafford 10.46 (St Josephs Wairoa)
Teams
Year 7 Girls: 1st Tauranga Int 2nd Cobham Int 3rd Matamata Int
Year 7 Boys: 1st Tauranga Int 2nd Otumoetai Int 3rd Ilminster In
Year 8 Girls: 1st Otumoetai Int 2nd Monrad Int 3rd Aquinas College
Year 8 Boys: 1st Tauranga Int 2nd Otumoetai Int 3rd Havelock North Int
12k Championship Relay
1st Tauranga Int 43.51 2nd Otumoetai Int 44.25 3rd Ilminster Int 45.13
PRESS RELEASE - 30 August 2010
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
In just a few days time, twelve months of waiting will be over, with the start of the seventh NZCT AIMS GAMES on Sunday the 5th September 2010.
The phenomenal growth of the NZCT (Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools) AIMS GAMES has set all sorts of new marks in 2010. A record 107 schools from throughout the country, has broken the one hundred school mark for the first time. In seven years the number of schools has grown, from 21 mainly Bay of Plenty schools, to this years new mark. This year 19 Auckland, 5 Christchurch, 3 Whangarei, 3 Palmerston North and 2 Wellington schools are travelling long distances to participate.
Over 3870 young athletes has also set a new record, with a myriad of officials, coaches and managers, adding to the huge numbers that has booked out accommodation in the Western Bay of Plenty
Rugby Sevens will make its debut at the NZCT AIMS GAMES this year. The shortened version of New Zealand’s iconic game, has attracted 22 boys’ teams and three girls’ sides.
The Rugby Sevens will be held at the Tauranga Domain, which is one of the most picturesque rugby grounds in the country. Early Tauranga historic records show, that rugby has been played at the ground in the heart of Tauranga City, for over a hundred years.
An absolute legend in Primary School rugby will direct the Sevens tournament. Ian Spraggon, who has been associated with Tai Mitchell and Roller Mills representative rugby for over four decades, will be in charge of the action at the Tauranga Domain.
Ian Spraggon said “that he is excited to see rugby sevens make the NZCT AIMS GAMES for the first time. There is a good spread of teams from the North and South Island, with the tournament a virtual Intermediate schools Sevens National Championship”.
“The central city Tauranga Domain is an outstanding venue, with the multitude of team tents creating a unique visual spectacle”. “The big unknown is that most of the teams will be playing Sevens on a full sized field for the first time”.
Amongst the many partnerships that are put together to stage the annual NZCT AIMS GAMES, the affiliation with the local sports organisations is vital. The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union has come on board to provide personnel and referees, to make the Sevens another outstanding Games event.
In the spirit of a true partnership, the Bay of Plenty Union are supplying every coach or manager from the fourteen sporting codes, with a ticket to the Bay of Plenty Steamers match against the Manawatu Turbos, on the Thursday (9 September 2010) evening. In addition all the Rugby Sevens participants will also receive free entrance to the Steamers game. The tickets have been provided by the Tauranga Safe City. The tickets come with a red or yellow penalty education card “No One Likes A Bully”.
As the NZCT AIMS GAMES have become one of the largest sporting festivals in the country, the tournament has attracted some of the countries well known sporting identities to offer their support, to the tournament.
On Wednesday (8 September 2010) evening, while the youngsters are boogying the night away at the Competitors Disco at Tauranga Intermediate, the officials and supporters will be next door at a social function.
In keeping with the introduction of Rugby Sevens this year, the social gathering guest speaker will be Sevens maestro Gordon Tietjens. The Western Bay resident has been the New Zealand coach since 1994, winning three Commonwealth Games gold medals, and eight IRB Sevens World series titles.
Gordon’s greatest strength, is his uncanny ability to unearth undiscovered talent and turn them into Rugby Sevens stars. One of the latest is Tauranga Sports and Bay of Plenty player Toby Arnold, who has been selected to represent New Zealand at this years Commonwealth Games.
Basketball has also attracted some serious heavyweights of the sport. Early on Thursday evening, three of the New Zealand Breakers think tank will deliver the “Triple Threat” Coaching Clinic at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre.
The Breakers are in town to play a game on Thursday night at QEYC against a Bay of Plenty selection, and to impart some serious coaching knowledge.
Breakers Development Officer (and assistant coach) Dave MacKay and Assistant Coach Judd Flavell, along with one of the Breakers star players in CJ Bruton, will be on hand to provide advise to coaches of all levels.
An additional treat will come on Friday morning, when CJ Bruton will be the guest speaker at a Celebrity breakfast at Daniels in the Park, next door to QEYC.
2010 NZCT AIMS GAMES Timetable (5th – 10th September 2010)
| Badminton | (6th – 9th Sept) | Mount Maunganui Sports Centre |
| Basketball | (6th – 9th Sept) | Mount Action Centre |
| Cross-country | (5th Sept) | Waipuna Park, Welcome Bay |
| Football | (6th – 10th Sept) | Blake Park, Mount Maunganui |
| Golf | (6th – 9th Sept) | Omanu, Te Puke, Tauranga, Mount GCs |
| Gym Sport | (7th – 9th Sept) | Argos Gym Club, Tauranga |
| Hockey | (6th – 10th Sept) | Tauranga Hockey Centre, Mount Maunganui - Bethlehem College |
| Multi Sport | (8th Sept) | McLaren Falls |
| Netball | (6th – 10th Sept) | Harbourside Netball Courts, Mount Maunganui |
| Rugby Sevens | (7th/8th Sept) | Tauranga Domain |
| Squash | (6th – 9th Sept) | Mount Maunganui Squash Club |
| Swimming | (6th/7th Sept) | Baywave, Mount Maunganui |
| Tennis | (6th – 9th Sept) | Mount Maunganui Tennis Courts |
| Waterpolo | (6th – 9th Sept) | Baywave, Mount Maunganui |
PRESS RELEASE - 5 August 2010
THE COUNTDOWN TO THE NZCT AIMS GAMES BEGINS
In just seven years the NZCT AIMS GAMES have become the Intermediate and Middle Schools National Sporting Championships. This years entries of one hundred and three schools, testifies to the popularity of the festival of age group sport, held in the Western Bay of Plenty each September.
One of the driving forces behind the NZCT AIMS GAMES is Tournament Director Vicki Semple. The Sport B.O.P representative has been in the driving seat since the tournament inception in 2004 and says, “The growth of the games has been absolutely exceptional, and demonstrates that emerging adolescents relish the opportunity to excel in competition with each other, where they have the opportunity to learn to win or lose with humility and dignity”.
An extremely strong contingent of Christchurch schools each year, ensures that most of the best young athletes in the country, meet in head to head competition.
Christchurch’s Cobham Intermediate are leaving no stone unturned in defence of the Boys Basketball title that they won last year. The Canterbury School also took home the premier award of the NZCT Teammates Cup, that is awarded for overall excellence throughout the tournament.
The premier award is judged upon presentation, punctuality, skill and fair play during competition and respect for officials, fellow athletes and supporters.
Last year Murrays Bay Intermediate posted an incredible record, winning their fifth successive gold medal in the Waterpolo tournament. Since the sport made its NZCT AIMS GAMES entrance in 2005, Murrays Bay has won every final that they have contested.
While in earlier years the Auckland school had totally dominated the sport – last year they had a battle royal with Auckland Normal in the gold medal contest, before winning 6-4.
High interest in the World Football Cup, is reflected in record numbers for this years boys and girls tournaments to be held at Blake Park Mount Maunganui.
Palmerston North Intermediate, who had been the form team throughout the Boys Football event last year, proved too good for the defending champions Northcross Intermediate. Northcross scored first with a free kick, before Palmerston equalised from a free kick by Alex Rufer.
In the second spell the lower North Island team established some dominance to take out the gold medal 4-2.
The Girls gold medal was taken out in a close encounter by Auckland Normal, who defeated fellow Auckland side St Marys College 1-0. A superb goal from Auckland’s Charlotte Leece in the sixth minute was the decider.
PRESS RELEASE - 30 June 2010
NZCT AIMS GAMES REACHES THE MAGICAL ONE HUNDRED SCHOOLS
The NZCT AIMS GAMES has hit the magical mark of over one hundred schools, coming to the Western Bay of Plenty, for the Intermediate and Middle Schools sporting extravaganza, during September 2010.
The 2010 NZCT AIMS GAMES will kick off on Sunday 5th September concluding on Friday 10th September.
The NZCT AIMS (Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools) GAMES were established in 2004, to provide sporting challenges for Year Seven and Year Eight students.
In seven years, the NZCT AIMS GAMES have gone from a small festival of sport, to what are now considered the Nationals Championships for Intermediate and Middle schools. The explosion in growth of has seen the number of schools increase from twenty-three in 2004 to 101 this year.
For the first time Rugby Sevens makes its NZCT AIMS GAMES entrance. The shortened version of New Zealand’s iconic game has attracted 300 players. While many believe Rugby Sevens is a recent innovation like Twenty 20 cricket, the shortened version originated in Melrose Scotland in 1883.
The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union have joined the other Western Bay sporting codes, who give their management and officials, to organise the and run the individual competition events.
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union CEO Jeremy Curragh said “we are delighted to be involved in the NZCT AIMS GAMES which is regarded as the Olympics for Intermediate and Middle Schools. While this will help promote rugby within schools, we are delighted to be part of an event that promotes sport in general”
The Rugby Sevens will be held at the Tauranga Domain, which is one of the most picturesque rugby grounds in the country. Against a backdrop of the Tauranga Harbour, the Domain has hosted a number of visiting international teams over the years, including the 1971 Lions game against Bay of Plenty.
For the first time, the competition will commence on the Sunday (5 September 2010) with the cross-country event, prior to the spectacular opening ceremony that evening. The athletics event, which has attracted over 300 entries, is starting to become recognised as a nursery of emerging talent in the country.
No better example is provided than former Mount Maunganui Intermediate pupil Michael Sutton, who took part in the Waipuna Park based event in 2007. The rising cross-country star, recently won a bronze medal at the World Secondary Schools cross-country championships, held in Slovakia during April 2010.
Football and Netball, which were two of the original four sports in 2004, continue to lead the participation numbers. Football has attracted 654 players from throughout the country, with Netball having registered 576 competitors.
For further information contact:
Vicki Semple NZCT AIMS GAMES Tournament Director
027 290 0122 vickis@sportbop.co.nz