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The Weekend Sun
Let the games begin Sunday 28th August to Friday 2nd September 2011
Future sports stars go headto-head across Tauranga next week when elite intermediate-aged athletes from across the country compete in the NZCT AIMS Games. Tournament director Vicki Semple says the event, which runs until Friday, September 2, offers many highlights including swimming, basketball and football tournaments – where the competition will be “extremely tough”. Vicki says the swimming event is always special because it is the only national competitive event for the age group. She’s excited about having students coming from four Christchurch schools – after the stress and challenge of last year’s event which started the day after Canterbury’s first earthquake. “The kids are just amping to get here. Everyone is very excited and looking forward to getting away.” Indoor bowls becomes the 15th competition sport this year – with teams from 11 schools playing for titles. Other sports include badminton, basketball, gymnastics, hockey,
Mount Maunganui Intermediate School students prepare for the NZCT AIMS Games at TECT Arena at Baypark with tournament director Vicki Semple. The event is officially opened at TECT Arena this Sunday. Photo by Bruce Barnard. new TECT Arena at Baypark. “We are so excited to have this amazing new facility – it’s going to be so good for the opening ceremony as well as the basketball tournament during the week.” Next year, the event goes international with efforts already underway to attract Australian competitors. Keep up-to-date throughout the tournament with results, news, action photos and programme details at www.sunlive.co.nz
multisports, rugby sevens, netball and tennis. The competition programme opens at Welcome Bay’s Waipuna Park at 12.30pm on Sunday with the first cross country race. Along with recognising sporting excellence, the event also places an important focus on sportsmanship – with a fairplay team award on offer for the team displaying the best sportsmanship. Vicki says it is great the AIMS Games is the first major event at the
By Hamish Carter
Rising singer to open AIMS Tauranga Intermediate’s Calista Nelmes has been handed the prestigious role of opening the NZCT AIMS Games this Sunday, August 28 – the first performance to occur in the new TECT Arena at Baypark. The 12-year-old was spotted in a starring role in the school’s production ‘Who Does That?’ performing Madonna’s hit song ‘Material Girl’. Her mother Sheryl says a talent scout was at the production and offered Calista the chance to perform the song in front of nearly 5000 athletes, parents and organisers at the AIMS Games opening ceremony. “She is not nervous at all,” says Sheryl. “Calista has been dancing since she was three years old and is a natural on stage. She is really looking forward to
Calista Nelmes is singing ‘Material Girl’ for an audience of nearly 5000 this weekend. Photo by Tracy Hardy. it.” Sheryl says Calista wants to make music her career and this selection is a fantastic opportunity.
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