This week, Tauranga Racecourse is proud to open its doors to one of the region’s biggest events in the Zespri AIMS Games. For the very first time, we’ll be hosting a sport oncourse, with the Table Tennis competition taking place here from Monday, 1 September.
The AIMS Games are a cornerstone of the Bay of Plenty’s event calendar and an incredible celebration of youth, sport, and community. Since beginning in 2004, the Games have grown from just 760 competitors and four sporting codes to more than 12,000 competitors across 27 codes making it Australasia’s largest junior sporting event. To put it in perspective, last year’s Games even welcomed more athletes than the Paris 2024 Olympic Games!
For us at Tauranga Racecourse, being part of such a milestone event is a privilege. It reflects one of our core values: supporting our community. While we’re best known for thoroughbred racing, our venue is also a versatile community hub. We host everything from weddings to business meetings, expos to family celebrations and now, thanks to the Zespri AIMS Games, a world-class youth sporting event.
We know how costly it can be to organise large-scale events, and that’s why we’re committed to offering affordable, flexible spaces. It’s important to us that local organisations, schools, and community groups can access quality venues without prohibitive costs.
The Zespri AIMS Games are not only about competition, but also about connection, bringing together young people from across New Zealand and beyond to build friendships, learn from each other, and celebrate diversity through sport. We are excited to host one of their sporting codes here at the racetrack and can’t wait to be a part of the spectacle.
We wish all the athletes the very best of luck and extend a warm welcome to everyone visiting Tauranga Racecourse this week. Whether it’s your first time oncourse or you’ve been here for many other events, we’re proud to have you here with us!