It was an outstanding AIMS Games campaign for many Eastern Bay athletes and teams that took part.

The event, featuring more than 14,000 intermediate-aged athletes competing in over 20 sports, draws entrants from as far south as Invercargill and as far abroad as Australia and Fiji, and was once again a roaring success.

Whakatāne Intermediate School were the standouts, bringing home some medals following some top-quality performances.

Surfer Riley Miskell had an outstanding AIMS Games, going on to win her surfing division, before helping her girls’ hockey team to secure bronze in what was a fantastic performance, only missing out on the final courtesy of a shootout.

The Whakatāne RIP Rugby team also excelled as they took out the entire competition, bringing home the gold medal ahead of 71 other schools.

Across five days the young athletes played and won 13 games, with a 5-2 victory over Bridge Pa a highlight.

The team showed tremendous sportsmanship and skills across the week.

Whakatāne Intermediate, who took their biggest ever team of more than 200 athletes, weren’t finished there as they also bagged a medal in the kayaking through Piper Rowland in the individuals and Lucy Kershaw in the mixed event.

Gold went to the girls’ mountain bike relay team of Belle Mikosch, Mary Banks and Emily Croad.

A bronze also went to Emily Croad in the year 7 girls enduro mountain biking. Finn Baker, Ethan Jackson and Kobe Perry teamed up to win bronze for the boys in mountain biking.

Isaac Burns and Zion Hurunui teamed up to win silver in the indoor bowls pairs.

Other highlights included Amy Van Den Anker claiming third in the Open Girls’ Novice Bar, and Archie Thompson and Flynn Watkins finishing fourth in their respective sports, surfing and squash.

The two Whakatāne Intermediate football teams finished inside the top half of their divisions, a fantastic effort, while the rock climbers soared to some impressive heights.

Plenty of others did exceedingly well, with badminton also showing strong signs and the orienteering team signalling a bright future.

The netball girls were strong in the B grade. The paddlers also did well, along with the gymnasts, so overall it was a cracking AIMS Games for the school.

Whakatāne Intermediate teacher Will Doney said it was once again a fabulous event.

“This year’s AIMS Games was one of the most successful competitions our school has ever experienced.

“We brought home 10 medals across a wide range of codes, including surfing, rippa rugby, indoor bowls, kayaking, hockey, and mountain biking.

“Beyond the medal count, many of our sports teams achieved their best-ever results. This was especially evident on the football fields, where both our boys’ and girls’ teams narrowly missed out on a top-16 placing, and in badminton, where our girls’ team finished a remarkable fourth in an exceptionally competitive draw.”

He said it was just an incredibly successful week all round for the school and its various competitors.

“Sending 210 students to the competition was a huge achievement in itself, especially considering the size of our school.

“Larger schools from Tauranga and Auckland, with rolls well over 1200, sent around 230 students.

“For us, with just over 600 students, to compete alongside them on equal footing was outstanding.

“We were incredibly proud not only of the results our tamariki achieved, but also of the way they represented our school on and off the field. Their conduct was a real credit to our school community.

“A particular highlight was our swim team, who received the Fair Play Award for their code – a recognition of their positive attitude and sportsmanship.”

Another bonus was teacher Rosey Kara given a positive vibes award for helping an athlete from another school in rock climbing, who was incredibly nervous.

It was a standout campaign for the Tāneatua School golf team as they cleaned up the nine-hole division.

Te Ahimanawa Tawhi took the top spot, showcasing exceptional skill and determination.

Following closely were Ryan Wiremu in second place and Te Koare Wana securing third.

Charles Falwasser and Lewis Apanui also delivered commendable performances, finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

In the girls’ category, Te Ao Marama Te Rupe emerged victorious, with Mere Tarau-Teepa earning a well-deserved second place.

The overall first place team honour was awarded to Tāneatua Kura, which no doubt capped off a fabulous week for the school.

They also performed strongly in indoor bowls.

Awakeri School principal Craig McDonald said it was a fantastic week away for his students.

“The AIMS Games were a fantastic experience for our year 7-8 students. We entered a girls futsal team, boys’ futsal team, and a girls’ netball team, and had a student competing in golf.

“The week is a roller coaster and the teams were all happy to put wins on the board, often against teams from much larger schools.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to our wonderful coaches and team managers, and we are looking forward to AIMS 2026.”

Te Wharekura o Rūātoki showed some good skills on the rugby sevens field that helped them finish 38th overall.

Tāneatua, Ōtakiri, Murupara and Matatā all enjoyed the 3x3 basketball.

Ōpōtiki Primary and Awakeri performed admirably in the futsal, finishing well off the bottom.

The Ōpōtiki Primary mixed netball team was 10th.

The Te Kura o Te Paroa RIP Rugby team placed 16th overall.