Junior Squash Players all set at Zespri AIMS GAMES

Between matches, 12-year-old Oliver Awburn has plenty to smile about. The Te Awamutu Intermediate student has just won his singles squash match at the Mount Maunganui Squash Club, but it’s not just the competition he’s enjoying at this year’s Zespri AIMS Games.

Oliver started playing squash in January and says one of his favourite things about the sport is connecting with people in his local area

“I’m meeting new people and getting out into the community.”

The 22nd edition of the games is set to be the biggest yet, with 14,506 athletes aged 11 to 13 from 467 schools competing across 27 sporting codes. 

Oliver plays squash at school every Friday afternoon and has quickly taken to the sport. 

AIMS has also given Oliver the chance to get out and support his school away from the court.

“Last night we went and got dressed up to support our teammates,” he says.

He’s also enjoying one of the perks of competing in Tauranga, staying at the beach during the tournament.

While he is enjoying the sport, Oliver isn’t planning to make squash his career just yet,  “I don’t really want to be a professional.”

Oliver says his coach, Miss Morrison, who works at Tamatea Intermediate, has helped him settle into the sport since he started,

“She’s a cheerleader and a comedian,” he says.

Oliver isn’t the only young player enjoying the tournament.

12-year-old Noah De Vries from Whakatane Intermediate has been playing in squash tournaments for about a year, having started in February.

Fresh from his own match, Noah was pleased with how it went, “It was a really good game.”

With matches continuing around them, the Mount Maunganui Squash Club is packed with players, coaches and parents cheering from the sidelines.

For the young competitors, the day is about more than keeping score, it’s another chance to play, support their teammates and enjoy being part of AIMS.

Noah De Vries