The Zespri 2026 AIMS Games will be held from Saturday
5 September to Friday 11 September at various locations around Tauranga.
The Zespri AIMS Games is Australasia’s largest junior sporting event, held annually in Tauranga. Widely recognised by national education and sporting organisations, the tournament is considered a leader in school sport and youth participation.
Since its inception in 2004, the Games have grown significantly — from 760 competitors representing 17 schools across four sporting codes, to a record-breaking 14,022 athletes from 431 schools competing across 27 codes in 2025.
Please see the AIMS Games website and the Event Information Booklet (link to the right) for full details.
Eligibility
We endeavour to provide as many students as possible with the opportunity to attend the Zespri AIMS Games. However, teams and individual entries will only be confirmed where:
students meet the Zespri AIMS Games eligibility criteria;
there are sufficient team numbers, along with adults/parents available to supervise, coach and/or manage teams, and support transport to and from events; and
all entries align with AIMS Games policies and procedures, including eligibility and team selection processes as outlined in the Sports Handbook.
Events / Sporting codes
The sporting codes we are considering entering are detailed below. Links are also provided to the sporting code tournament information on the AIMS Games website.
Before submitting your child's registration form please:
- Ensure you read through the sporting code eligibility and competition information. The 2024 results are available for a point of comparison.
- Note that parent support is required to transport and supervise at events. Carpooling is encouraged.
- Understand that with most sports this is a week out of the school environment.
If there are any other sporting codes not listed here that your child is eligible to enter please complete the registration form and advise the relevant details.
Selection process
Please review the AIMS Games Policy and Procedures section of the Sports Handbook and please note the following as you consider the options with your children:
The Zespri AIMS Games is considered a high-level event for Intermediate / Middle School students. This is not a “have a go” event and students must be experienced and able to compete at a high-level in their chosen sport, given the significant amount of time spent out of the classroom for some sports.
This year the Hockey A team selected will be the team to represent the school at this year’s AIMS Games. While we have previously held a separate trial later in the season, we believe that using the season as preparation for AIMS will provide our players/team with the best opportunity for success. This approach aligns with how our 1st XI Hockey teams prepare for NZ Secondary Schools Winter Tournament Week. This will be same process going forward for all teams sports requiring trials.
Students committing to represent ACG Tauranga at this event must be able to attend all pre-season / in-season tournament training sessions and meetings. This may require reducing other extra-curricular activities.
Parents must be responsible for ensuring there are no clashes between the codes selected and be mindful of player/team welfare and fatigue from competing in more than one sporting code over a weeklong period.
Whilst students may compete in more than one code, parents must be responsible for ensuring there are no clashes between the codes selected before registering and be mindful of player/team welfare and fatigue from competing in more than one sporting code over a week-long period.
Schedule / Player Welfare
Parents must review the competition and programme information for each sport carefully before selecting and registering their child for any sport(s).
Whilst some events are held during the weekend and in the evenings, the majority will be throughout the week during school time.
Students who are absent from classes during AIMS week must be prepared to do self-directed learning from home, accessing Class and Home Learning via Canvas to maintain learning and catch up on the in-class teaching that has been missed.
Whilst students are not expected to come and go around games/event times, if there is an option to come for the morning or afternoon period if there is a significant period of time available. However, students must arrive/leave at the start/end of the period.
We do not recommend students participate in PE lessons if they do come to school, to avoid the chance of injury. We also strongly encourage that all other extra-curricular sporting/physical activities are reduced during this tournament week to allow maximum opportunity for rest and recovery between games/events.
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