The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognizes and celebrates the efforts made by an individual or organizations to promote gender equity through the IOC Women and Sports Awards.  The Opening Ceremony of the IOC World Conference Women and Sport 5th Edition on the evening of February 16th, six awards (one world and five continental) were presented to outstanding achievements to encourage and strenghen the participation of women and girls at all levels in the sporting world.  The Women and Sports Oceania recognizes and Congratulate Rosie Blake, Secretary General, Cook Islands NOC.  Rosie has been involved in sport at all levels for nearly 40 yers and, as Secretary General of Cook Islands NOC, has been a pioneer for women i sport in her country and Oceania.  Rosie has been a great mentor to women in sport in oceania and is an advocate of women in sport at all levels of sports.  WASO Congratulate Rosie for her great achievements!   "Together Stronger".  (photo:  Rosie Blake (middle), Helen Brownlies, Chair of WASO (left), and the 1st Lady of Cook Islands)

The Women and Sports Oceania Commission, hosted a one day workshop (Feb 16, 2012) before the formal opening of the IOC Women and Sports Conference in LA.  The workshop focused on sharing best practices and programs for Women and Sports Commission in Oceania, Points on Effective Communication and delivery, Strategy Plan Review and Budget and Activity Planning for the Oceania Women progams at the NOC level.  The members had an opportunity to hear encouraging words from President of IOC Dr. Jacques Rogge when he met the WASO members briefly before the workshop activities.  The President of Oceania National Olympic Committee, Dr. Robin Mitchell and Secretary General Rick Blas were both present at the workhop deliberation.  Barbara Kendall, Chair of the Oceania Athletes Commission was also at the WASO workshop and had the opportunity to speak briefly to the members on the important role and participation of Athletes to work together with women and sports to make a broader and stronger difference in Oceania through sport...Together, Stronger!

The Women and Sports Oceania Executive Board met on February 15th to discuss the WASO Workshop on 16th of February and the Oceania women participation in the IOC Women Conference in Los Angeles California.  16 NOC's of Oceania are participating in the IOC conference.  About 32 delegates from Oceania are attending the event; and WASO will host a day workshop on the 16th of February before the IOC Conference starts officially on the evening of 16 February with an Opening Ceremony in the afternoon and full two day sessions of the conference on the 17th to the 18th of February. 

The Women and Sport Oceania Commission at their last executive meeting in Cairns updated the Strategy Plan for Women and Sport Oceania 2009-2012.  The strategy plan was presented to all members of Oceania National Olympic Comittee at the Annual General meeting this year in Noumea. (Photo:  Helen Brownlie, Chair of Women and Sports Oceania and Pascale Bastien-Thiry, Chair for Pacific Games Organizing Committee 2011 Noumea at the Breakfast of Women in Sports during ONOC meetings in Noumea March 2011)

WASO REPORT from ONOC GENERAL ASSEMBLY

24-26 March,  2011 Noumea, New Caledonia

 The Presentation on 25^th March covered the majority of our achievements and initiatives, as the 26^th March presentation was restricted to 5 minutes. Over the two presentations  items  included the increase to 5 Women Secretary-Generals, (being 29.4% of available positions), as well as the statistics  of Women on Executive Boards, with 16 NOC’s having at least one woman member – 42 women, or 30.4% of all Board positions.  Detailed Report attached

Interested to be part of the OSEP project team in Cook Islands and possibly another country in the Pacific? Have a look at the attached document and send your CV to osep@onoc.org.fj  attn: Sainimili Talatoka OSEP Coordinator Oceania National Olympic Committees Postal

The Women and Sports Oceania Commission met in Cairns for the annual Executive Meeting from February 25-28, 2011.  All Executive Members and Chair Helen Brownlee attended the meeting.  The Meeting Agenda covered activities and actions for this year leading up to 2012, reviewing the current Strategy Plan and making adjustments, and setting new initiatives to promote the work of the national women and sports committees.

Secretary Generals around the region are currently in Guam participating in a week workshop.  The workshop offers opportunity for the SG's to present and share their NOC's activities and how to improve programs and sports at all levels throughout Oceania.   The workshop is held at the recently opened headquarters of the Guam National Olympic Committee.  Four Women from Oceania hold SG's position and are all in Guam for the workshop.   (Rosie Blake, SG Cook Island, Auvita Rapilla, SG Papua New Guinea, Lorraine Mar - SG Fiji and Baklai Temengil - SG Palau)

-          A Practical example of supporting and developing female athletes and officials -

 Every 2 years, FIBA Oceania (the International Basketball Federation of Oceania) conducts an Oceania All Star program, which includes a 16 day tour and participation in an elite basketball competition in Australia. The All Star tour is part of the Oceania Development pathway for elite players and officials, and are selected following their participation with their Junior National team at the Oceania Youth Tournament.

Vanuatu Women's Cricket League is set to kick off on Saturday 19th February in Vanuatu.

For more information - Contact VASANOC

Women and Sports of Oceania (WASO) Executive Members and Contacts Helen Brownlee (AUS) email: helen.brownlee@olympics.com.au Lestly Ashby (FSM) email: fsmnocsdo@fm.mail Dalsy Baniala (VAN) email: Dalsie.b@telecomregulator.gov.vu Salaia Gabbard (AS) email: salaiagab@gmail.com Susie Yee (FJ) email: paulnsusie@connect.com.fj