Hundreds of intermediate-aged football and futsal players from our region have been training and fundraising for the 2024 Zespri AIMS Games, Australasia's largest junior sporting event.

From 7-13 September, teams and individuals from over 390 intermediate schools across New Zealand will converge on Tauranga Moana.

Since the first edition in 2004, the event has expanded from 14 sports and 17 schools to over 12,500 competitors from more than 390 schools, supported by 1,800 volunteers.

Football and futsal are among the 27 sports featured this year, with WaiBOP Futsal Development Manager Cliff Harris overseeing the organisation of both sports.
 
This year’s tournament has a record number of entries for both football and futsal. Football will feature 69 boys’ and 35 girls’ teams from across New Zealand, totalling 1,456 players.  Futsal will include 46 boys’ and 22 girls’ teams, bringing 680 players to the event, for a total of 172 teams and over 2,100 players kicking a ball.
 
332 futsal matches are scheduled between September 7-11 at Mercury Baypark Arena in Mount Maunganui, while football has 490 games running from September 8-13 at Gordon Spratt Reserve in Papamoa.
 
WaiBOP referee manager CK Kawana-Waugh and WaiBOP referee development officer Anna-Marie Keighley, both FIFA referees, will be heading up the team of referees at the event.

Referees from the WaiBOP Football Youth referee academies in Tauranga and Hamilton will be working with referee coaches over the week. These referees – all high school age – have been working with referee coaches Nadia Murrihy Browning and Anna Harris since the start of the year, and have all completed their Level One referee certificate.
 
Good luck to all competitors, and have fun!

Article added: Sunday 25 August 2024