Words: Bob Snow
Today, Oceania’s very own Athletics’ encyclopedia takes a look at the Oceania Area Championships over the years.  Bob Snow, Oceania Life Member and World Athletics, Plaque of Merit Awardee, takes a walk down memory lane as we discover how things have changed since 1990 when the first Oceania Area Athletics Championships were held in Suva to now, when Suva hosts the largest every Championships.

The Oceania Athletics Championships is an athletics event organized by the Oceania Athletics Association (OAA) for the World Athletics (WA) member associations of the Oceania region. The first Championships was held in 1990 in Suva, attracting 230 athletes from 12 Countries. It was initially conceived as a quadrennial event; however, after the second edition in 1994, the championships changed to a biennial event.

The man who pioneered the compilation of Pacific Islands’ Athletics statistics, the late Tony Isaacs, wrote in his Pacific Statistics #4. “For many years, Oceania has remained the only continent without an Area Championships, but at long last, an inaugural event was held on the new 8-lane track at the National Stadium in Suva, Fiji, in July 1990”.

Bob was living in Rabaul, in PNG’s East New Britain Province. I had been asked to stage the 1990 PNG National Championship on our grass track at Queen Elizabeth II Stadium. It had a huge attendance because all parts of the country were aware that Port Moresby was the venue for the 1991 South Pacific Games. The nation’s athletes wanted to show their talent to the national selectors – and the Nationals in Rabaul were a great place to start.

After the championship was over, I was excited to have the opportunity to travel to Fiji – a country in which I had spent seven wonderful years as a teacher, and also as an Athletics’ coach / statistician / technical official / national selector – for Athletics Fiji. It was a great opportunity to see the best of the Pacific Island athletes, learn about the newcomers and renew old friendships prior to the 1991 Games. The East New Britain Division of Education approved my leave, and off I flew to Suva with the small PNG team.

We were accommodated at the University of the South Pacific in the dormitories. The rooms were comfortable and the food good. All the athletes from around the Pacific Islands were keen to look at their likely opponents for the Pacific Games the following year. It was a good time to stand up and be counted.

The Australian and the New Zealand Teams were of unknown reputation. It would not have been fair to unleash the top athletes from these countries against the athletes from many very small nations. It was decided that the New Zealand Team would be made-up of U23 athletes who had not represented their country before. The Australian Team chose only those athletes who lived north of the Tropic of Capricorn.

The nations which attended these inaugural Oceania Athletics Championship were – Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu – and competing by invitation, as they were technically part of Europe – New Caledonia.

The Oceania Championships (11-14 July) clashed with the Micronesian Games, in Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) which were held on 8-12 July.  The July timing for the Suva meet was ideal as it came in the middle of the dry season. At least there was a good all-weather track for the competition and not the old Buckhurst Park grass track that I was so familiar with.

The long and rich history of the Oceania Championships had begun.

The National Stadium was the scene of a spectacular opening ceremony. The highlight was a traditional Fijian meke performed by 300 students from Queen Victoria School who paraded over the embankment across the field to the official dais. It is the most awe-inspiring opening ceremony I have ever seen in the Pacific Islands. It was a fitting start for this ground-breaking Championships.

The Men’s sprints were won by Islanders, with Joseph Onika (SOL) taking the 100m, Subul Babo (PNG) winning the 200m and local hero Alex Soqosoqo first across the line in the 400m. Tonga and Fiji dead-heated in the 4 x 100m Relay and Fiji won the 4 x 400m Relay.

People still believe that Joseph Onika broke in the final and was not re-called. In any event, he got the gold from PNG’s Subul Babo. Subul won the 200m, but was not allowed to enter the 400m as there were limitations on how many events an individual athlete could enter. Subul had his two events already and the 400m would have to wait for the following year when he got gold in the SPG – in 46.77 for a Games Record and a National Record.

The Women’s sprints saw New Caledonia’s Ghislaine Saint-Prix (competing by invitation) winning the 100m ahead of Australia’s Bindee Goonchew. Bindee won the 200m, with New Zealand’s Kirsten Downie winning the 400m. New Zealand won the 4 x 100m and Australia the 4 x 400m.

New Zealand and Australia dominated the rest of the events. Athletes who won two events were – Derek Renz (NZL – 800m & 1500m), Duane Humphreys (NZL – 5000m & 3000m Steeplechase), Douglas Mace (NZL – Shot Putt & Hammer Throw) and Helen Hawley (NZL – 800m & 1500m).

Both Javelin events were won by Fiji. In the Men’s JT, James Goulding easily won near the beginning of his very successful career, and Mereoni Vibose won the Women’s JT near the end of her equally successful career.

Looking at the Pacific Island athletes who did attend, it was possible to see those who would successfully represent their nations at the 1991 South Pacific Games and beyond – many going on to the Commonwealth Games, World Championships and the Olympic Games. Names such as Vaciseva Tavaga (FIJ), Lillyanne Beining (PNG), Jen Allred (GUM), Vasa Tulahe (TON), Iammo Launa (PNG), Salome Tabuatalei (FIJ), Lily Tua (PNG), Tahiri Homerang (PNG), Rachel Rogers (FIJ), Elizabeth Kamilus (PNG), Nadia Bernard- Prasad (NCL), Jone Delai (FIJ),Subul Babo (PNG) Toluta’u Koula (TON), Peauope Suli (TON), Ezekiel Wartovo (PNG), Fletcher Wambo (VAN), Jerry Jeremiah (VAN), Fosa Torea (PNG), Lui Muavesi (FIJ), Ancel Nalau (VAN), Aaron Dupnai (PNG), Davendra Singh (FIJ), Albert Chambonnier (NCL), Homelo Vi (TON), Sekona Vi (TON), Autiko Daunakamakama Jnr (FIJ), Gabrieli Qoro (FIJ), Steeve Druminy (NCL) and Frederic Cassier (NCL) all come to mind as athletes who were grateful for the opportunity to have such a successful competition “in their backyard”. Sorry if we have left significant names off this list. The early 1990’s saw a blossoming of our sport in the region. The 1990 Oceania Championship was a large part of the reason for the increase in interest in Athletics.

For the Pacific Islanders, it was an incredible workout for their future Island competitions. For those from Australia and New Zealand, it was an excellent opportunity to get a taste of international Athletics and forge ahead in their careers post-champions.

With the South Pacific Games due to be held in Port Moresby the following year, it was a great chance to get to know the athletes who would probably be attending the 1991 SPG.

Prior to the championships starting Bill Bailey conducted an officiating course for a large group of Island attendees. Many helped to officiate during the meet and continue to hone their skills in the years ahead. OAA, through the Regional Development Centre (now called the Area Development Centre), continued to help the region to this day with many courses for officials, coaches, and athletes. In 1990 the RDC – Adelaide was headed by Fletcher McEwen.

From this highly successful first foray into Continental Championships, the event would gradually evolve over the years as different eligibility rules were applied for Australia and New Zealand, new events were added to the programme and the overall format of the meet would change from time to time.

Thanks to Fletcher McEwen for the use of his material from his book “Tracks in the Sand”. It gives a great perspective on how Athletics has evolved in our region from the Second World War (and sometimes earlier) to the present day.

The memories of the 1990 OAA Championship are fond ones. It was well organised and set a high bar for the hosts in future years.

And now to the present day – Suva (again) in 2024. And have things changed!

At the time of writing, entries are still being received for athletes in different categories. Local Fiji officials are signing up to be part of the biggest Athletics event that Fiji has ever seen. If the Fiji statisticians have an updated list of All-Comers Records, then that book is about to be re-written. It was similar in PNG in 1969 when the Australian Olympic Team to the 1968 Olympics, came to a big meet in Port Moresby and competed against the local athletes on their way to Tokyo. It is good for everyone to see top quality sportswomen and sportsmen in action – no matter what the sport.

There are so many different categories for Athletics’ competition – from the Senior/Open Division, U20 events, U18 events, U16 events, Para events and Masters’ events. The focus will be on the Open/Senior events, where the top athletes are hoping for the 170 bonus points for winning their event and possibly getting them one step closer to Olympic Games selection.

In addition, there will be a Bronze Continental Tour competition, which will allow the athletes to gain some extra bonus points to assist their ranking. The winner gets 60 bonus points, 2^nd – 50 points, 3^rd – 45 points. 4^th – 40 points, and all down to 8^th who gets 25 points. The winner of a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games gets 140 bonus points. In the Oceania Area Championship, the winner gets 170 bonus points. This gives you an idea as to how important this Oceania Championship is to World Athletics.

We can expect massive media interest – from Fiji and abroad – on the days that the Fiji Prime Minister, Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka takes to the throwing field. PM Rabuka competed in the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch New Zealand in the Decathlon, Shot Put, Discus and Hammer Throw. He is due to throw the Discus on Monday 3^rd June and the Shot on Wednesday 5^th June.

The Solomon Islands has a great Long Jumper, George Lepping, who competed for them, but he did it before he became the Governor General. The Athletics’ exploits, as young men, of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV of Tonga, came well before they achieved their important positions in life. PM Rabuka is breaking new ground.

A huge change to the attitude (by Australia and New Zealand) towards the Oceania Athletics Championship came with the introduction of the new World Athletics Ranking System. For selection to the Athletics competition in the World Championships and the Olympic Games, athletes had two paths that they can follow.

For the better athletes, they must better the incredibly difficult qualifying performance. For example, for Men in the 100m it is 10.00 seconds, and for Women in the 100m it is 11.07 seconds. Men’s High Jump Qualifying is 2.33m, and for Women’s High Jump it is 1.97m.

The authorities expect about half of the entries will come from this group – who have actually beaten the qualifying standard. What of the rest? Well then must gain acceptance using the Ranking System. For each performance there is a number of points allocated, using the official Scoring Tables. However, each and every competition, has a number of potential bonus points to be added to this score. For example if you win your home National Championship you get 100 bonus points.

Athletes must now choose their competitions carefully, looking at the number of bonus points on offer. At the deadline for entries, the athletes with the score in their best five events, will see if they get the nod – or not. It is, therefore, vital for athletes and coaches to choose events that are likely to give them maximum bonus points. They must be aware that the high ranking European and North American events, in the lead-up to an Olympics, are going to be full of stars, making qualifying will be all that more difficult.

For athletes in Oceania, the #1 choice for all chasing good bonus points is the Oceania Championship. Here World Athletics offers 170 bonus points for a win – making it more valuable (points wise that is) than a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games.

Hence the high quality of athletes coming to Suva to try and get that extra step-up in their struggle for selection to the Paris Olympics. It is unlike anything that Fiji has seen before, and a chance to watch some of the best athletes in Oceania compete against each other.

How are the Pacific Island athletes going to fare against such strong opposition? It all depends on the mind-set that they take into the competition. They might not be able to win the gold medal, but they certainly can get personal best performances, or possibly even national records.

In 2019, at the OAA Championship in Townsville, only two Pacific Island athletes won their events. Samoa’s Jeremy Dodson won the 200m, and PNG’s Rellie Kaputin won both the Long Jump and the Triple Jump. In the next OAA Championship in Mackay, Queensland, only Tonga’s ‘Ata Maama Tuutafaiva won gold – in the Shot Put.

In Suva the fields from Australia and New Zealand are even stronger, and it would take somebody far braver than me to predict an Island gold medal. If I had to make a guess, I would say in the Men’s Throws – but I would not put any money on it!

In some events the first five in the Oceania Ranking List for 2024 are competing in their chosen event here. Every Senior event has at least some Top 5 contenders participating and many having Oceania’s #1 ranked competing.

So far, we have been looking at the competition possibilities. Well, much has been done behind the scenes to ensure that this major event is remembered favourably in the future and is used as a template for excellent production values.

Being invited to attend some of the meetings that have preceded the competition, I have been very impressed with the quality that the main contributors have made.

With over 700 athletes arriving in Suva for the Championship, there are just so many things to be taken care of.

The arrival of the teams to Nadi International Airport, must be carefully coordinated, with transport ready to bring them around the Coral Coast to Suva. On arrival in Suva, seven hotels have been booked to accommodate the athletes and officials. They have to be fed and transported around Suva. All has been planned and under control. There is a small army of very competent officials working on making this a smooth operation. I am staying at one of the seven hotels now and can express satisfaction that they will be well looked after.

At this point there are 1100 entries for the events, with 150 for the Masters’ competition. PM Rabuka will have plenty of company in his throwing events.

Team manuals are being produced and help desks are being provided at the team hotels.

We will get excellent coverage from the local media. Fiji TV will cover the stadium action from 3-6pm, when they will break for the evening news. (I remember this from the 2003 Games, where we had to finish up our commentary in time for the news. It is bad to deprive the people of their daily news).

In addition to the local television coverage, it will be beamed to 14 locations around our region. Good publicity for Fiji.

Good control of the financial side of such a huge undertaking is essential, and it is all under control. Sponsors are being brought on board.

The police and fire brigade must be informed of what is happening, so that they can be called on if needed.

To run a major championship such as this requires a lot of equipment – from the fully automatic timing system, to the banks of computers processing the information, and on to hurdles, jumping equipment and landing mats, starting blocks, throwing implements, measuring devices – and the list goes on and on. All must be taken care of before the Opening Ceremony.

The Opening and Closing Ceremonies must be planned to perfection. This is a very high-profile event that must go smoothly. The medal ceremonies have been discussed and it is good to see that not only the athlete and their country are to be announced, but also the performance they delivered to get the medal. This was missing at the Fiji Finals. We are after good performances here – not spending all of our time looking at the medal tally.

Medical assistance must always be available. Much work has been done to ensure this is so.

Over 100 local officials who participated in the Fiji Finals a few weeks ago, have made their application to be part of this big event. We will have many people, who are rapidly gaining more experience, to participate in this championship. Fiji can only benefit from their increased experience and knowledge.

With so many people working behind the scenes, all are confident that this Oceania Championship will be a huge success. All we now need is for a week of fine weather. Can any of you readers arrange that for us – PLEASE. I think back to the heavy rains that were seen before the 1963 South Pacific Games in Suva. The rain stopped just in time. See if you can arrange for that to happen again.