The Oceania Athletics Association recently met and is delighted to announce the appointment of the Oceania Masters Athletes Commission. The Commission will be chaired by Oceania Athletics’ Council Member, Tim Rogers (Norfolk Island). The inaugural Masters Athletes Commission, received nominations from existing members of the Oceania Masters Athletics Association, to join the OAA Commission, along with any member of the World Masters Athletics Council from an Oceania Member Federation who will join as a ex-officio member.
The OAA Council looks forward to their continued invaluable experience in expanding Masters Athletics throughout the Pacific Region. “Masters Athletes across our region, have been looking for opportunities to participate and compete on a more regular basis in the Pacific, we hope that the Masters Commission will be an opportunity for exactly that” said Chairperson, Tim Rogers.
Current Commission Members: Stewart Forster (NZL), Donna Hiscox (AUS), Hazel McDonnell (AUS), Joan Merrilees (NZL) and Ex-Officio World Masters Athletics’ Council Members, Lynne Schickert (AUS) and Ruth Tangiiau Mave (COK).
Over the coming months, the Commission will develop a proposed four (4) year Plan for submission to the OAA Council. The plan will include strategies to promote and support programmes that ensure that the Masters athlete community has an effective voice in the decision-making processes at the Area and National level. The Commission will collaborate with the OAA Competition and Development Commissions in securing assistance for Masters’ athlete assistance, competition, education and other support programmes offered or proposed to be developed by the OAA.
OAA President, Robin Sapong-Eugenio said, “the OAA Council looks forward to working with the Commission and other Masters entities in the Area to ensure there is equity for all of our masters athletes. We can’t wait for Fiji in June where we will showcase Masters Athletes at our Oceania Championships.”
The Commission will promote and advocate for the rights and interests of Masters athletes within the sport. They will consult and liaise with Masters athletes and other persons and entities within Athletics and other Masters athletes from other sports, including other Master’s Associations and Commissions and the scope and development of policies related to medical and health and science issues affecting Masters athletes.
In the meantime, the Commission will look to appoint additional Commission Members to ensure there is a diverse and broad range of views represented on the Oceania Masters Athletics Commission. The Commission will meet sometime in mid-March and invites any input or comments from Masters Athletes in the Oceania Area.
