Last month, FISU Oceania had the privilege of attending the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) General Assembly and Step Up Oceania conference.
Held in Brisbane Australia, the event attracted National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from across the region, a number of whom oversee university sport in their respective countries.
National University Sport federations from Cook Islands, American Samoa, Marshall Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands were present and able to connect one to one with FISU Oceania.
“Attending this event in person has provided an opportunity for many National University Sport Federations (NUSFs) from our region to meet for the first time since the pandemic impacted our ability to meet in person”, says Ms Donna Spethman, Secretary General for FISU Oceania. “Nothing can substitute for the face to face conversations that happen at these events and we have had numerous discussions with our NUSFs during the week to further explore university sport events and opportunities for our region”, adds Ms Spethman.
With Brisbane hosting the Olympics and Paralympics in 2032, ONOC has set a roadmap to 2032 which was the focus of the Step Up Oceania conference held in conjunction with their ONOC General Assembly.
“The Olympics will provide a wonderful opportunity for the region and university sport can play a role on the runway to 2032”, says Ms Spethman. “Providing valuable competition opportunities for student-athletes who are in their sports Olympic pathway is just one way the university sport sector can contribute to the regions success. The World University Games and World University Championships are a great example of competition opportunities for those on the road to representing their country at Brisbane 2032”.
Not all talk was centred on the Olympics however, with NUSFs agreeing to work together to provide more participation opportunities for university students across the region in the next 2-3 years with specific focus on beach sports, 3×3 and Teqball.
“It is an exciting time for university sport and as FISU Oceania grows as a Federation, we look forward to creating opportunities for all university students, opportunities that will contribute to our future leaders and contribute to the positive physical and mental wellbeing of those at university”, Ms Spethman concluded.
For more information about FISU Oceania and university sport in the region, contact us.
Photo: Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, American Samoa, Cook Islands and FISU Oceania representatives.
