International Women’s Day 2026 – Give to Gain

Across Oceania, athletics is powered by women who show up for their communities long after the finish lines are crossed. They are athletes, coaches, administrators, mothers, leaders and advocates. On International Women’s Day, under the theme of “give to gain”, we celebrate the women who continue to shape our sport and open doors for those coming next.

From Nauru, Brenda Waidubu carries both family and federation with pride. “My name is Brenda Waidubu, and I’m from Nauru, a small country in the Central Pacific. I am 43 years of age a proud mother of five daughters, and blessed grandmother of four. Currently, I serve as the Executive Treasurer for the Nauru Athletics Association.”

Athletics has been woven through every stage of her life. “Athletics has profoundly shaped me into the woman I am today. Competing in local athletics events as a child ignited my passion for the sport, which has been a constant source of strength during life’s challenges.” Through coaching children, leading track and field programs and managing national teams, she continues to invest in the same community that shaped her.

Her own leadership journey was strengthened by other women. “I was fortunate to be among the few women in the Pacific selected for the inaugural Pacific Women’s Sports Leadership Program in PNG that same year. Despite my initial nerves, the program helped unlock my capabilities and purpose through interactions with inspirational women and facilitators.” She adds, “Valerie Adams has motivated me to enhance my leadership and administrative skills.”

Her message to young women is simple and direct. “To the next generation of girls and women in track and field, I encourage you to take that leap of faith. Opportunities await those who are willing to take that extra step.”

In Aotearoa, Kirsten Hellier’s story began with curiosity and a javelin. “My name is Kirsten Hellier. I’m a former athlete (javelin thrower) I competed at the 1990 and 1994 Commonwealth Games, winning silver in Victoria, and attended the 1991 World Championships & 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Currently I serve as the High Performance Coach Development, Innovations & Throws Lead at Athletics New Zealand.“

Looking back, she sees how deeply the sport shaped her. “Athletics gave me a life I never imagined as a kid throwing stones in Western Samoa — which, funnily enough, might have been where it all started. My father Lionel was a hurdler who represented New Zealand at the 1950 Empire Games, so sport was always in our blood. …. But what athletics truly gave me was curiosity. It made me want to understand — why does that technique work, what makes this athlete tick, how do you unlock potential in someone? That curiosity became my coaching career.”

Now she wants more women to see coaching as a real pathway. “Only a small percentage of New Zealand’s coaches at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics were women. That statistic sits with me. I want to change that number, and I want to build the systems and the culture that makes coaching a genuine, supported pathway for women across this country and globally.”

She remembers the quiet mentorship that made her feel she belonged. “Being seen and included by someone who has already walked a hard road — that changes something in you.”

Her advice carries the same thread that shaped her career. “Don’t wait for someone to give you permission to start and be curious. That’s it, really. Be endlessly, unapologetically curious.”

I didn’t set out to have the career I’ve had. I picked up a javelin and I was curious. I started coaching athletes and I was curious. I coached in other countries, and yes — it was scary  — but I was curious. That curiosity has taken me to the Olympic Games, to World Championships, and into a role where I get to support the future of coaching in this country.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to keep asking questions, keep showing up, and trust that the path will reveal itself.

And to any young woman thinking about coaching — we need you. This sport needs your voice, your perspective, and your leadership. Don’t let the numbers fool you into thinking you don’t belong. You absolutely do.”

In Tonga, Vasi Feke’s journey has spanned sprint lanes, classrooms and boardrooms. “My maiden name is Vasi Feke and I am married to a Taufaloa. I come from Longolongo, Tongatapu.” She represented Tonga in the 100 metres and 100 metre hurdles and now serves as Accountant and Assistant Female Coach at the Tonga Athletic Association.

Athletics expanded her world. “Athletics play a vital role in my life such as it builds confidence in me to overcome challenges faced.” Competing abroad as a teenager pushed her into unfamiliar spaces. “This experience helped me become more adaptable, independent, and prepared for international competition and travel and to mention that I had to travel alone.”

“I felt like I wanted to give back to athletics by engaging more with young athletes to train them to become more successful than I had received today”

The women in her life shaped her values. Of her mother she says, “These experiences taught me that independence and resilience are not just about personal ambition, but about aligning my efforts with values of faith, humility, and service.” She remembers watching Cathy Freeman light the Olympic flame. “I was moved as I dreamed one day I will represent Tonga and be a flag bearer to carry the legacy that women in sports are to be respected.” She reflects on the impact of Ana Siulolo Liku, “my first cousin, proudly represented Tonga at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where she also carried the national flag. For every teenager in my village, she was a symbol of pride and inspiration. Watching her achievements motivated me deeply, and ever since, I have dreamed of becoming a successful athlete like her one day.”

Her message to the next generation reflects her faith. “With God nothing shall be impossible.”

In the Cook Islands, Simone Fe’ao leads with both spreadsheets and heart. As President of Athletics Cook Islands, she has overseen strong growth in participation and development pathways. Reflecting on what athletics has given her, she says, “Athletics has given me a meaningful place to apply my skills and experience from my professional career. It’s put me in rooms and conversations that I never thought needed someone like me.”

Her leadership journey was sparked by someone who saw potential in her early. “Erin Quirke-Tierney threw me in the deep end with my first experience of Athletics management by asking me to be Chief Judge at Junior Track for Prince of Wales – Rarotonga’s primary school champs.” That early push helped her overcome doubt. “I had imposter syndrome, thinking I was not the right person, didn’t have enough athletics knowledge.”

Now in her fifth year as President, she leads with pride and perspective. “It’s been a huge learning experience but really rewarding when you’re able to create new pathways and opportunities for our athletes.”

To young women watching, she says, “Don’t doubt yourself or over think it – just take the first step and do it. You may not know what the end goal is or the entire path to get there, but you’ll be able to see further down the road once you’ve stepped out.”

Alex Hulley knows what it takes to compete on the biggest stages. A former Commonwealth Games medallist in the hammer throw, she now serves on the Oceania Athletics Athlete Commission. “I’m currently a member of the Oceania Athletics Athlete Commission, where my role focuses on giving back to the sport and representing the athlete voice in decision-making.”

The lessons from her 14 year career continue to guide her. “Athletics has given me lifelong friendships and taught me discipline, respect, hard work, and resilience.” Now she channels that experience into advocacy. “I now feel called to give back by advocating for athletes, ensuring their voices are heard, and helping shape decisions that make life easier for athletes so they can focus on performance.”

She credits the women who coached her. “I was fortunate to have two female coaches throughout my career who supported me every step of the way. They shared their own experiences with me and showed me that women can absolutely excel in a sport that is often male-dominated, like hammer throw. Their support helped me grow into an independent woman who understood that it was possible to have a career, a full life, and still perform at a high level in sport. They also encouraged balance, making sure my happiness didn’t rely solely on athletics and my performances.”

Her advice is clear. “I’d say that women can achieve anything they set their minds to. Keep things simple, keep working hard, and go after your goals. Don’t let anyone or anything hold you back from what you want to achieve. Life and health are too short, so while you have the chance, chase your goals as hard as you can.”

Across the Pacific, these women lead in different ways, yet their stories are connected. Each has been shaped by athletics. Each has been lifted by other women. Each now chooses to give back, whether through coaching, governance, advocacy or quiet mentorship.

When women thrive in our sport, the impact reaches well beyond the track. It reaches into families, villages, schools and boardrooms. It shapes culture. It builds confidence. It creates pathways that did not exist before.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women of Oceania athletics who give back so that the next generation can go further.

To learn more about the 2026 Theme of International Women’s Day “Give to Gain” https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme

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