Todd Talks By Todd Muller

Aren't the AIMS Games extraordinary? More than 9000 intermediate children from across New Zealand,competing in over 20 sporting and performance activities, cheered on by increasingly weary but reliably supportive parents and teachers who give up an enormous amount of their time to coach, drive, cajole and generally be there for our young New Zealanders.

Congratulations to the local principals – Tauranga Intermediate's Brian Diver and Outumoetai Intermediate's Henk Popping – who first imagined a concept of pre-college students testing their sporting prowess; I bet they are amazed at how incredible the event has now become.

It is an iconic event for the country and it's in our backyard.

They are now joined by four fantastic leaders: Principal of Mount Maunganui Intermediate Lisa Morresey, Principal of Te Puke Intermediate Jill Weldon, mayoral representative Rob Egan, and CEO of Sport Bay of Plenty Heidi Litchwark, who are the trustees for the Games.

It's such a shot in the arm for Tauranga; all our motels are booked out, restaurants busy, family homes stretched with billets, and all of them are bursting with the sheer youthful energy and passion that pours into our stunning region every September.

Congratulations too to our local council, who saw early on the value to the community of investing in events for people, and particularly young people. Thanks to all the other sponsors and local businesses who help to make it happen and to keep it here.

To all the participants, I hope you had a fantastic week and travel safely home. For our local teams, you did us proud and I hope that you loved playing your games at home in our lovely city.