Zespri AIMS Games

The Zespri AIMS Games 2026 will be held from Saturday 5 September to Friday 11 September at venues across Tauranga.

The AIMS Games is Australasia’s largest junior sporting event and is widely recognised as a leading school sport tournament. Since its inception in 2004, it has grown from 760 competitors across 17 schools to over 14,500 athletes from 400+ schools competing in 27 sporting codes (2025).

For full tournament details, please refer to the official AIMS Games website and Event Information Booklet (see links to the right).

This year we will have 62 students competing across 14 sporting codes - our largest ever team!

Eligibility and Participation

We aim to provide as many students as possible with the opportunity to attend. However, entries will only be confirmed where:

• Students meet all AIMS Games eligibility criteria
• There are sufficient player numbers (where required)
• Parent support is available for coaching, managing, supervision, and transport
• Entries align with school policies outlined in the Sports Handbook

Sporting codes

We are currently considering entry into the following sports:

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If your child is eligible for a sport not listed, please complete the registration form and include details.

Selection process 

Please review the AIMS Games section in the Sports Handbook. Key points include:

• Selection/participation is not guaranteed and is based on meeting all criteria
• AIMS is a high-performance event, not a “have a go” experience
• Students must demonstrate the ability to compete at a high level

Team Sport:

• We have moved to a season-based selection model, using the season as preparation for AIMS Games
• This aligns with our Secondary sports / NZ Secondary School Winter Tournament Week approach
• Teams already selected in 2026:
  • Hockey - ACG Navy and White
  • Netball - ACG White
• Other teams will be considered where:
  • Sufficient numbers are available
  • Training is available/maintained across Terms 2–3
  • A coach and manager are confirmed

Commitment Expectations

• Attendance at all trainings, trials, and meetings is required
• Students will need to prioritise AIMS training and games over other extracurricular activities

Multiple Sports

Students may enter more than one code; however, parents are responsible for:

• Avoiding scheduling clashes
• Managing player welfare (fatigue, recovery, workload)

Schedule / Player Welfare

AIMS is a significant commitment and requires careful planning.

Competition Schedule

• Events take place during school hours
• Some games/events may occur in the evenings or weekends

Academic Expectations

• Students must complete self-directed learning
• Class and home-learning is to be accessed via Canvas
• Students are responsible for catching up on missed content

School Attendance During the Week

• Students may attend school between games where practical
• Attendance must be for full periods only
• Participation in PE during this week is not recommended

Wellbeing & Recovery

We strongly encourage students to:

• Minimise additional physical activity
• Prioritise rest and recovery between events

Parental Responsibility

Parent support is essential to the success of our AIMS programme:

• Transport to and from venues (carpooling encouraged)
• Supervision and team support where required (particularly in between games)
• Managing schedules for multiple sport athletes
• Supporting student wellbeing, workload, and recovery

Key dates

Wednesday 27 May

ACG registrations close.

Wednesday 3 June

Zespri AIMS Games entries close.

Tuesday 21 July

ACG ticket sales for opening ceremony close 

Monday 27 July

School group pre-sale for opening ceremony tickets commences.

Monday 27 July – Monday 17 August

Swimmers submit event selections via Swimming NZ Fast Lane. 

Wednesday 29 July

Links to Medical and Media Waver forms open.

Wednesday 12 August

Team sporting code draws published on the Zespri AIMS Games website.

Friday 14 August

Deadline for Parents/caregivers to complete the Medical and Media waiver form - required in order to participate in the Zespri AIMS Games.

Thursday 27 August

Individual sporting code draws published on the Zespri AIMS Games website

Click here for the full Zespri AIMS Games Planning Timetable.

Registrations

Before registering via the link below, please ensure you and your child:

• Have reviewed the sport-specific eligibility and competition information
• Understand results standards
  ​​​​​​​(CLICK HERE for the 2025 results)
• Can assist with transport and supervision where required or arrange carpooling
• Acknowledge this is (up to) a week-long commitment away from normal school routines

Further information will be communicated for each specific sporting code once registrations have been collated. 

Costs 

Student Fees are made up of some or all of the following:

• Coaching and umpiring costs
• Competition entry fees
• Venue hire (e.g. pool or turf for training)
• First aid, equipment, and uniform costs

Individual Sports

• Cross Country: $65
• Other individual sports: ~ $99

Team Sports 

• Futsal: $274
• Hockey:  Navy $367 and White:  $179
• Netball: $241
• Water Polo: $211

Please note that once a student is registered and entered into the tournament, entry fees are non-refundable.

Opening Ceremony

For full event details, please visit the official Zespri AIMS Games website

Event Details

Date: Sunday 6 September 2026
Venue: Mercury Baypark Arena, 81 Truman Lane, Mount Maunganui

Show 1

• Doors open: 2:00 PM
• Start: 3:00 PM
• Finish: Approx. 4:15 PM

Show 2

• Doors open: 6:00 PM
• Start: 7:00 PM
• Finish: Approx. 8:15 PM

Ticket Sales and Information

• Tuesday 21 July: ACG ticket order deadline (via school form - link to the right)
• Monday 27 July: School group pre-sale opens
• Monday 3 August: Tickets on sale to the public

Please ensure all school ticket requests are submitted by Tuesday 21 July. After this date, tickets must be purchased independently once public sales open.

​​​​​​​Choosing the Right Show

If your child is likely to compete on Sunday afternoon, we recommend booking Show 2 (7:00 PM) to avoid scheduling conflicts.

This is especially relevant for:

• Futsal
• Gymnastics (select sessions)
• Rock Climbing (select sessions)
• Swimming (select sessions)
• Yachting

Netball teams: All Sunday games will finish early to allow attendance at either ceremony, unless otherwise advised.

Cost:

• Competitor/Child:  $26.15 + transaction fee
• Coach/Manager/Adult:  $36.15 + transaction fee 

(All tickets include a $1.15 per ticket booking fee charged by Flicket)

Tickets are allocated by the event organisers in grouped adult and child allocations. As a result:

• Seats issued through the school may not be together as a family group
• Families may need to swap seats with other ACG families at the venue if they wish to sit together​​​​​​​