Gemma Flynn likes nothing better than to pass on her wisdom to the next generation. And the Black Sticks forward had a busy day doing just that at the NZCT AIMS Games yesterday, attending a breakfast, giving advice to competitors, signing autographs and posing for photos.

After featuring as one of the key speakers at the opening ceremony, the Tauranga native explained why the games are a great platform for student athletes to get a taste of what it's like to compete in a week-long tournament.

Black Sticks hockey star Gemma Flynn at the Tauranga Hockey Centre. Photos: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services.

'I think they like that they'll get a week out of school,” she says, 'but they can be really proud of representing their school, themselves and their families as well.

'It's a great platform to be together and learn those team dynamics.”

Flynn said the best part of the tournament for her is the way people come together to play and compete.

'Seeing everyone together excited – it kind of has that Commonwealth Games or Olympic feeling in terms of a tournament,” she said.

'All the different sports mean you get to meet new people, and it's really great for the town. There's no better place to have it than Tauranga.”

The presence of a New Zealand hockey representative has had a positive impact on the athletes at the Tauranga Hockey Centre too. Papamoa College player Jody McCaul said Flynn's presence has inspired her to play harder.

'It's really cool to see a Black Stick down here watching you and it gives me a little bit more confidence,” McCaul said.

An advocate of healthy living, Flynn is part of the 100 Percent Project, which teaches schools and businesses about being healthy and happy inside out, which is a philosophy that applies to the AIMS Games athletes.

She said the main thing for the students is to make the most of the week and have fun while doing it.

'I remember someone once said to me there are no shortcuts to a place worth going,” Flynn says.

'At the end of the day enjoy it, make new friends, have a positive experience and they'll look back on this as one of the best weeks of their life.”

Gemma with the Aquinas College netball team at the NZCT AIMS Games breakfast. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services.