Wednesday, 08 September 2010
EASTERN Bay youngsters have graced the podium at the seventh annual AIMS Games in Tauranga.
The event has 101 schools entered across 14 sports and the Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools event had over 3000 young athletes compete last year.
On Sunday in the cross-country event, St Josephs runner Mitch Regan placed third in the year 7 boys’ race to claim the Eastern Bay’s first medal of the event.
On Monday it was the golfers turn to shine. With day one of the golf staged at Omanu Golf Course, Putauaki School’s Mikaera Tamihere and Mana Howe from Opotiki Primary school both posted 42 stableford points.
In the girls’ competition, Opotiki golfing prodigy Tyla Kingi was in a class of her own in the girls gross contest when she posted 88 – 20 shots ahead of the nearest competitor. Putauaki School were in the lead in the team competition after the first day.
The event began on Sunday for the first time and tournament director Vicki Semple said the change was a popular one.
“Fine weather on Father’s Day, and the cross-country event being the only sport staged, ensured that we had a large and enthusiastic crowd of supporters at the event,” she said.
Netball began on Monday with Whaka-tane Intermediate School undefeated after day two.
They picked up four victories including a narrow 22-21 win over Kawerau Intermediate who had two wins in the first two days.
Netball is one of the largest tournaments during the event and has attracted 48 teams from throughout the country.
Taupo Intermediate School are the defending champions and it is a title that Taneatua School won in 2008.
The football tournament also began on Monday, with Whakatane Intermediate the only Eastern Bay team entered.
They began with a 3-1 loss to Albany Junior High and had a 3-3 draw with Melville. Tuesday began with a 3-1 loss to Cambridge.
In hockey, the Whakatane girls team lost 1-0 to Pongakawa in their opening match but bounced back to beat Glen Eden 1-0.
They had a 1-1 draw with Cobham before beating Kristin School 2-0.