Yvonne Mullins, Executive Director of the Oceania Athletics Association, has been appointed to serve on the International Athletics Foundation Council.
This appointment marks the first time a representative from the Oceania region has served in this significant role.
The IAF’s primary mission is to charitably assist the world governing body for athletics (IAAF) and its affiliated national governing bodies in perpetuating the development and promotion of athletics worldwide.
With the kind personal support of His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II of Monaco, who also acts as the foundation’s honorary president, the foundation is especially interested in spreading the universal message of one of the purest of humankind’s sports.
Since its inception in 1986, the IAF has given over $30 million US dollars to over 300 projects in the promotion and development of athletics.
Of learning of her appointment to this significant position within world athletics, Mullins said
I was absolutely dumbfounded to be nominated as a Council Member to the International Athletic Foundation (IAF). The nomination, whilst personally humbling, is an opportunity, for the first time, for the Oceania Region to be represented at the IAF. I will work with my IAF Colleagues in continuing with the good work of my predecessors in ensuring that the generosity of the IAF continues.
Geoff Gardner, Oceania Athletics President, who delivered Yvonne with the exciting news, commented the following of her appointment;
The OAA has encouraged and supported many member federations in their applications for IAF grants and it makes perfect sense that with Yvonne’s knowledge of the IAF Grants programme , that she would be the ideal Oceania representative on the Foundations Council.
Over the past few years, the Oceania Region has benefited significantly from these grants. Some of the recipients are highlighted below:
Fiji:
Received grant for Pole Vault and Steeplechase equipment in lead up to hosting the Oceania Championships in 2017. This marked the first time Pole Vault had been held in the federation since 2003.
Papua New Guinea:
Grant allowed Athletics PNG to employ a development officer. Development Officer has now been able to work with athletes in their development in not only athletics, but also their life outside of athletics.
Oceania Athletics:
OAA received a grant for a photo finish timing system. This system allows OAA to travel to give competition support to federation. The system has been used this year at Tonga National Championships, PNG National Championships, Oceania Area Championships, Fiji Schools Championships, Pacific Mini Games.
Federated States of Micronesia:
The grant has contributed to an upgrade of the athletics track on the island of Pohnpei. They have also received a grant to help purchase competition equipment in the lead up to the 2018 Micronesian Games, to be held on the island of Yap in July.
New Zealand:
After the devastation of the earthquakes in Christchurch, the IAF has supported the rebuilding of the athletics track in the city.
