The 2024 Cook Islands Games will have an exciting start with the much-anticipated League 9s competition kicking off today at the National Stadium in Nikao.

The three-day event will feature 10 men’s teams and six women’s teams, grouped into two pools of five and three teams, respectively.

Team Rarotonga coach Clive Nicholas said preparations have been short and sweet but “very encouraging compared to the last two Games where we struggled the most in terms of footy players”.

Nicholas, the head coach of the Cook Islands Nines and Residents teams, said they would be banking on the players who represented the country at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands and the Tri Nations Series on the Gold Coast, Australia, last weekend.

“The competition now is even right across but I have heard some islands may be struggling but that’s not mine or our problem to worry about,” Nicholas said.

Cook Islands Rugby League president Charles Carlson confirmed the league 9s competition would feature “a couple of players from Australia and New Zealand who participated in the Gold Coast tournament”.

“Their involvement, along with the return of our Resident squad from a successful tour, will undoubtedly enhance the quality of the competition,” Carlson said.

Francis Toa (Franky), Cook Islands Rugby League general secretary and competition coordinator, said they were looking forward to some tough competition in both the men’s and women’s divisions.

“The Gook Islands Games promotes unity and sportsmanship and is a great chance to showcase new and emerging local talent across the board from players to coaches to management staff. It’s a great place to make new and lifelong friends and also to listen and learn. As an athlete it’s a place where you can measure your current performance against your results from the last games,” Toa said.

It’s been a great year for rugby league and players have really stepped up their performances this year. We’ve recently had our local boys and coaches return back from the Gold Coast games and they will be adding value to the teams they represent. That’ll make it very competitive which will give our spectators some real great games to watch.

“I’m hoping that teams stay true to the values of the games and be as fair and honest as possible. Good sportsmanship always wins.”

Team Mauke men claimed the gold medal with Mitiaro settling for silver at the 2022 Cook Islands Games.

Pools

Men’s Pool: Pool A – Mauke, Aitutaki, Manihiki, Atiu, Pukapuka; Pool B – Mitiaro, Rakahanga, Mangaia, Rarotonga, Tongareva.

Women’s Pool: Pool A – Manihiki, Mangaia, Mauke; Pool B – Mitiaro, Atiu, Aitutaki.

Fixtures

Today: 12.00pm Men A Mauke-Atiu, 12.25pm Men A Aitutaki-Manihiki, 12.50pm Men B Mitiaro-Rarotonga, 1.15pm Men B Rakahanga-Mangaia, 1.40pm Women A Manihiki-Mangaia, 2.05pm Women B Mitiaro-Atiu, 2.30pm Men A Manihiki-Mauke, 2.55pm Men A Atiu-Pukapuka, 3.20pm Men B Mangaia-Mitiaro, 3.45pm Men B Rarotonga-Tongareva, 4.10pm Women A Mangaia-Mauke, 4.35pm Women B Atiu-Aitutaki, 5.00pm Men A Pukapuka-Manihiki, 5.25pm Men A Mauke-Aitutaki, 5.50pm Men B Tongareva-Mangaia, 6.15pm Men B Mitiaro-Rakahanga.