Court appeal draws record numbers

Aitutaki’s biggest annual sporting event will get a bit bigger this Monday when a record-breaking 58 teams take to the courts as part of the Easter 4x4 Volleyball Tournament.

The open women’s and open men’s competitions will both feature 16 teams in their categories, with some well-heeled teams returning to the courts alongside some newer faces.

Last year’s open men’s winners Puava are back to defend their title, and so are the Maoate boys to try and make up for their one-point loss to Puava last year.

In the open women’s division, some new rivalries are expected to form this year when a Rarotonga-based team joins the action.

Organiser Rere Mataiti said the Raro team is featuring some formidable players and he expects them to give the Aitutaki women a good run on the courts.

Mataiti said that every player from every division should put their best into the day, with the most valuable players set to earn prizes for their efforts.

Similarly, the best-dressed team will win a prize. To be in the running for that, the teams have to be in uniform and in attendance at Araura College throughout the day – from the 9am parade to end of play about 5pm. The prize-giving won’t be reserved for players only, though. The crowd is being asked to get in on the creativity and come in costume and with banner in hand to win some prizes of their own.Mataiti said people should take inspiration from the Cook Islands News Easter 4x4 Volleyball Tournament posters billed across the island.

For the people planning to dress up – get creative, be different and have some fun.

“We’ll be looking for the funkiest, best-dressed person in the crowd, so wear something out of the ordinary and be different to everyone else to catch the judges’ attention,” Mataiti said.

Back on the pitch, action will begin soon after the 9am opening ceremony and parade and will last until about 5pm.

Aside from the open men’s and open women’s contests, there will be five mamas teams, eight under 16s boys teams, four under 16s girls teams, four under 13s boys teams and five under 13s girls teams playing for their various titles. With months of training and weeks of uniform design almost behind them, Mataiti said Aitutaki was now more than ready for Monday’s tournament.