The Oceania Athletics Association (OAA) Council is delighted to announce the appointment of the Oceania Athletics Coaches’ Association. The appointment is established in line with the OAA Constitution and Development Commission Terms of Reference and will ensure that all aspects of our sport in each of our Oceania Federations is well serviced with highly trained coaches. OAA called for Expressions of Interest and the members of OACA were appointed by the OAA Council.
The role of OACA is to provide expertise, advice and recommendations for the information and approval of the Oceania Development Commission on matters that support the growth, development and administration of Coaching at the Area and National level through education and other related activities.
Chairperson – Mr Jerry Brunt (SAM)
Jerry is a member of the OAA Development Commission and President of Athletics Samoa. His background as a lawyer and respected sports administrator in Samoa will ensure he provides strong governance to OACA.
Nik Hagicostas (AUS) is a Coach Lecturer who has been coaching international level athletes for over 30 years. Nik is passionate about guaranteeing coaches throughout our Area have specific teaching/coaching requirements and wants to develop a support network for coaches targeted to Oceania.
Kirsten Hellier (NZL) is the current Coach Development Lead – Athletics NZ, with over 30 years’ experience in High Performance coaching, a Member of High-Performance Sport NZ Coach Advisory Group, who is currently mentoring and leading development programs for women in sport/coaching.
Leanne Hines-Smith (AUS) is a teaching professional, actively involved with development of sporting policies, mentor of teacher coaches, appointed member of Australian Athletics Coaches Advisory Group, a Level 4 Coach and Australian Team Manager and coach of Lataisi Mwea (KIR) Tokyo Olympian.
Desmond Mandell III (GUM) has been the National Team Head Coach for Guam and has years of experience coaching athletes. The Public Relations Officer for his National Federation,and a former athlete, Desmond understands the importance of the entire sport having a voice.
Ron Snyder (NMI) is a Middle-Distance Level 2 Coach and Level 1 Assistant Lecturer with over 25 years’ experience at School level coach and travelled internationally as coach of NMI athletes. He has coached at international schools and is involved in developing sports within schools.
Lolomanaia Tuifua (TGA) brings the perspective of an Island coach who is passionate about developing the sport throughout the entire Area. He is a World Athletics Coach Lecturer, Jumps, Sprints/Hurdles & Middle-Distance Coach, and Team Tonga National Coach.
When advised about his appointment as Chairperson, Jerry Brunt said “I am thrilled to be appointed to the Oceania Athletics Coaches’ Association. The development of Athletics in our 20 Oceania Member Federations and 3 Associate Federations is extremely important to me and I am honored to be asked to be the Chairperson of OACA. I look forward to working alongside the appointed Members of the Committee and together with our Coaches providing a Coaches’ voice to the Area Association through OACA and the OAA Development Commission.”
The first meeting of OACA is expected to be held later in October.
