AIMS Games 2022
After three years of trying, we finally made it to AIMS Games for 2022! COVID and lockdowns caused the cancellation of this tournament for the past two years. Basketballers, Footballers, Rugby 7’s players, BMX riders, Tennis players, Mountain Bikers, Water polo players, Cross-Country runners and their dedicated parents, coaches and staff have congregated in Tauranga/Papamoa to compete in these games. Positive results, experiences and friendship bonds formed over the weeklong competition, which is essentially an Intermediate Schools’ Olympic Games!
Day 1 (Sunday)
SHC’s AIMS Games 2022 began with a very successful day for our Cross-Country team. First up was the Year 7 runners who placed 4th in the team event, each running 3km. Next were the Year 8 boys, also running 3km, Sam O’Dwyer, Harry Shand and Tom McLean combined for a silver medal in the 3-man relay team, our first medal of the meet. Later that same day Sam, Harry, Tom, Toby Knight, Isaac Shand and Max Riordan ran in the 6km relay and gained another Silver medal.
Day 2 (Monday)
A tough start to the 2022 AIMS games for the outdoor teams, - the weather was the toughest opponent. Basketball picked up two close and hard-fought wins from two games. Our Rugby 7’s team had two comfortable wins and a very narrow loss - unfortunately the wind and rain was the major challenge of the day, the boys courageously persevered through the day and should be proud of their efforts. Water polo had two very dominant wins as did our footballers who also battled very harsh weather conditions. Unfortunately, Tennis was cancelled due to the weather. Highlight of the day went to Ben Anderson who won a Gold medal in the BMX time-trial.
Day 3 (Tuesday)
The weather decided to be on the competitor’s side today, the sun was shining and all the athletes had thawed out overnight and were ready to go again! Ben Anderson was once again the performer of the day with another Gold medal in his BMX event! Strong results across the board from Water polo, Rugby 7’s, Football and Basketball. Damien Mardanus-Budiono and Leo Ryan also managed to get their tennis competitions underway after the washout on Monday.
Day 4 (Wednesday)
The fatigue factor started kicking by Day 4, coaches managing their players to ensure they were fit and firing for the knockout stages of each competition. At the end of the day’s play Football made the top 16, Rugby 7’s, Water polo and Basketball all locking up play-off games in the top 8 of their respective sports. Our Mountain bikers also joined the competition today, Thomas Flanagan providing the best performance of the day, finishing in 17th. Leo Ryan and Damien Mardanus-Budiono also rounded out their singles competitions, with Damien finishing in 8th place overall, they join forces in the doubles format on Thursday.
Day 5 (Thursday)
The day of the big games for all of the codes and unfortunately a day that provided some beautiful lessons into the cold hard truth of sport. Water polo made it all the way to the semi-final and lost 6 – 7 in overtime to the locals from Mount Maunganui Intermediate. Our Basketballers came up against a determined Belmont Intermediate, who they beat in pool play, and unfortunately went down in their quarter-final. The Footballers learned that goals are more important than style, a 1-nil loss in their top 16 game. Rugby 7’s also went down in their quarter-final, and the Tennis doubles placed 7th overall.
Day 6 (Friday)
Consolation games today for final places, games today were about providing a performance that the athletes could be proud of and a way of thanking their coaches and supporters for the week. Some good performances to end the week on a positive note. A big thank you to all involved for the organisation and making the week so enjoyable!
Final placings for the team sports.
Cross Country:
Year 7 team - 4th place
Year 8 team - 2nd place
Combined 6km team - 2nd place
Football:
13th place – following a 2-0 win over St Peters Cambridge
Basketball:
8th place – following a 25 – 42 loss to Levin Intermediate
Rugby 7’s:
7th place – following a 31 – 10 win over Te Awamutu Intermediate
Water Polo:
3rd place – following a 12 – 4 win over Northcross Intermediate
