The South Island’s preeminent primary school sports tournament has gone live with registrations and is planning for a record number of school and team entries for the September three-day event.

The Koru Games is in its 9^th year and with several changes for the 2023 event the Selwyn Sports Trust is hoping to break the 500-team entry mark for the first time and build on the epic atmosphere at each of the four sport hubs.

“We were very excited about getting registrations live last week as we have been working on planning the Games for several months.  We’ve introduced a new registration and draws system this year on the Sporty platform, which many schools are familiar with, and this will allow them to see an overview of all the sports they have entered” Commented Selwyn Sports Trust General Manager, Doug McSweeney.

In 2022 there were 74 schools who entered over 422 teams across 16 sports, and with the addition of two new sports, a tweak to the venue hubs, and the new draws system, the capacity has increased to over 500 teams.  Since registrations opened on Wednesday 13 July, 310 teams have already been registered.

“We’ve added Wheelchair Basketball and Cross Country this year and made a change to the hub layouts, so we now have additional capacity which is awesome.  Giving more tamariki the opportunity to participate is hugely important to the Selwyn Sports Trust” added McSweeney.

“Traditional sports are very popular like Netball, Hockey, Volleyball, Touch, Football, Basketball and Tennis, however some new and emerging sports are really growing in popularity like Boccia, Kī-o-Rahi, Ultimate Frizbee and Korfball, so we are really thrilled because of the opportunity this gives schools to enter teams and grow participation”

“The four hubs; two based in Lincoln, one in Prebbleton and one in Rolleston, are an important element in the success of the Games.  The atmosphere created by the teams and spectators is always so positive and energetic, so we look forward to this again in 2023” 

The Koru Games was introduced by the Trust in 2014 with a focus on participation and enjoyment for all year 7 & 8 pupils.  Over the subsequent eight years it has gone from strength to strength and schools travel from as far as Southland, the West Coast and Nelson to participate.

“We acknowledge that competition is important, but we also place focus on playing within the spirit and enjoyment of the game. This year we are introducing a new award called the John F. Reid Memorial Award which will acknowledges the team who demonstrates the true spirit of the Games”

Mr Reid was instrumental in the formation of the Koru Games, and the vision behind the Selwyn Sports Trust, so the award has been named in his honour with the support of his family.

The Games can only go ahead with the support of the 18 sports who partner with the Trust for the three days of the event.  There are also many volunteers who give their time to deliver a variety of roles from officiating to scoring to supporting the operations at each hub.

“There are so many people from the Selwyn region, and wider Canterbury community, that give their time to ensure this event is run to the highest standard, and we simply couldn’t do it without them. We are so thankful for their contribution year after year”.

One further addition to the Koru Games this year is a range of branded merchandise which has been created as a memento for participants, coaches or managers.

“Each participants receives a Koru Games badge to recognise their contribution to the success of the event, but we also wanted to give some additional options to everyone to celebrate the strength of the Koru and what this signifies for the Trust”

A hoodie, cap and tee-shirt can all be purchased online in the lead up to the event. The tee-shirt design is the double Koru, which represents that we are stronger when we are together. It also acknowledges that we have grown from different perspectives all of which are valued.

The Koru Games starts on Tuesday 19 September and runs for three days.

Koru Games 2023

• 18 Sports
• 4 hubs (Lincoln Events Centre, Lincoln University, Selwyn Sports Centre/Foster Park, and Prebbleton Reserve.
• Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20, Thursday 21 September 2023.
• Website:  www.selwynsportstrust.org.nz
• Koru Games merchandise:  https://dynastyteamstore.co.nz/collections/koru-games-2023

Article added: Monday 17 July 2023