Welcome to the sixth edition of the WASO “News”. Since the last issue, the ONOC General Assembly provided the opportunity to present an update of the WASO activities, and the support of the ONOC Executive and the member NOC’s was most encouraging. Thank you to all. Congratulations to Daphne Pirie (Australia) on receiving this year’s IOC Women & Sport Award for Oceania, and to all those women who were nominated by their respective NOC’s. Daphne was presented with her Award as part of the 2011 Olympic Day Celebrations in Lausanne. This issue focuses on Olympic Day, and in particular, the role played by the various Women & Sport Committees across the region. Warmest Regards Helen Brownlee Chair WASO 2011/2012 Oceania Events 27 August - 10 September, 2011 – Pacific Games, Noumea, New Caledonia 31 August, 2011 Nominations close for 2012 IOC Women & Sport Awards. 4 September, 2011 WASO Breakfast in conjunction with Pacific Games, Hotel Le Meridien, Noumea. 28 September, 2011 – WASO Executive Meeting, Vanuatu. !6 -18 February, IOC Women & Sport World Conference, Los Angeles, USA 8 March 2012 International Women’s Day IOC Trophy for Women and Sport Daphne Pirie, 2011 IOC Trophy for Women and Sport (Oceania) The IOC Women and Sport Trophy is presented to exceptional personalities who have made a significant difference to boosting the development, participation and involvement of women and girls in sport. Daphne Pirie (AUS) who received the 2011 Award for Oceania was the founding President of Womensport Queensland, and in 1997 was elected the first female Vice- President of the Queensland Olympic Council. She is a Board Member of the Queensland Academy of Sport, President of the Gold Coast Sporting Hall of Fame and a Director of Gold Coast Events Management. In 2006 she received the inaugural Womensport Queensland “Contribution To Sport” Award for 50 years service to women’s sport. Daphne has been a role model to women in sport as an athlete and administrator. She was a nationally ranked track & field athlete, captained the Queensland Women’s Athletics and Hockey teams and represented Australia in hockey. She is now a world- ranked Master’s athlete, winning eight gold medals in international competition. In 1989 she was awarded the MBE for services to hockey in Australia. Daphne has devoted her life to promoting women in sport, from grassroots participation to elite representation on the world stage. Her vision of raising the profile of sportswomen and her commitment to acknowledging their outstanding achievements is truly inspirational. Congratulations Daphne! N.B. The IOC has called for nominations for the 2012 Women and Sport Award with a closing date of 31 August, The letter of invitation and nomination form has been sent to all NOC’s. Barbara Kendall, IOC Member Congratulations to Barbara Kendall, champion N.Z. board sailor, who was voted full membership of the IOC at the 123 rd Session in Durban, South Africa. Barbara is a five time Olympian, winning gold in 1992, silver in 1996 and bronze in the 2000 Olympic Games. Barbara currently chairs the Oceania Athletes Commission, and continues to share her passion and enthusiasm with young athletes in the region. She is an inspiration to us all! Helen Brownlee, AOC Life Member After devoting much of her life to the sport of canoeing,as well as pioneering Olympic Education in Australia, Helen Brownlee was honoured as the first woman awarded Life Membership of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). She was the first woman elected to the AOC Executive Board, as well as to the Board of the International Canoe Federation. She has also been a strong advocate for the involvement of more women in sport. “Helen has led by example and provided encouragement, direction and support for the increased participation by women” said AOC President, John Coates. NEWS Issue 6, July 2011

Oceania Representative to IWG Susie Yee (Fiji) recently represented the Oceania region at the annual meeting of the International Working Group (IWG) in Paris, and reported on the WASO activities. IWG are currently working with the IOC to determine areas of mutual cooperation. The 6 th IWG Conference on Women and Sport will be held in Helsinki, Finland from June, This will also be a 20 year celebration since the first IWG Conference in Brighton in IWG Committee members with staff from the French Ministry of Sports 5th IOC World Conference on Women and Sport The 5 th World Conference will take place from 16 – 18 February, 2012 in Los Angeles, USA. The theme “Together Stronger: The Future of Sport” will show the positive evolution in the promotion of girls and women in sport, as well as how men and women working together can remove the barriers to gender equality in sport. A highlight will be the presentation of the 2012 IOC Women & Sport Awards. All NOCs are invited to submit award nominations until 31 August, WASO CONTACTS WOMEN & SPORT, OCEANIA EXCO Helen Brownlee – Chair Lestly Ashby Dalsie Baniala Salaia Gabbard Susie Yee ONOC EXECUTIVE BOARD Baklai Temengil Palau declared the month of June as National Olympic Month! The President of the Republic of Palau invited all citizens to participate in activities to celebrate “the true spirit of humanity in sports and physical activities for healthy lifestyles.” The Palau Women & Sports Commission joined the NOC to organise a “Walk for Life” walkathon on 25 th June with over 100 participants. Nauru planned a week of activities around International Olympic Day to create more awareness among women, and to conduct planning sessions for future initiatives. Currently, a small Working Group are looking at ways of improving the participation of women in sport. American Samoa NOC promoted Olympic Day with the theme – “Being fit and active – a healthy lifestyle through sport!” The Women and Sport Committee introduced the day with an exercise activity “Hot Hula”, before the 10 km run. Participants and spectators were then invited to try out an Olympic sport. Some 11 sports organisations provided demonstrations by athletes, and encouraged participation from the children. Vanuatu will hold their Olympic Day event on 20 August as an Awareness and Educational Event, to involve the athletes and officials of Team Vanuatu participating in the 2011 Pacific Games. Cook Islands NOC staged a massive Fun Run for Olympic Day which this year involved participation from the islands of Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro and Mangaia. Live broadcasts from the outer islands were transmitted to the main event in Rarotonga. New Zealand saw more than 4,300 students across the country participate in the Olympic Day Run. With the theme “Learn, Move and Discover”, students were also encouraged to get active and try new sports. Vanuatu’s Beach Volleyball Golden Ladies continue their successful journey! They are the first pacific island country to make it into the main draws event of an FIVB World Tour, and are one of 24 teams selected to participate in the Test Event for the London Olympic Games in August, Good luck ladies! The Solomon Islands have proposed a Sports Administration Course for Women. The New Zealand Olympic Museum opened a “Women In Sport” Exhibition in May, This exhibition featured defining moments of female participation in Olympic sport as well as the NZOC’s initiative to attain gender balance in sports governance. Team Cook Island Fundraiser for the Pacific Games was an outstanding success. In partnership with Fitness Revolution and the Ministry of Health, the Dance Fiesta raised over $1,000 in ticket sales, and featured Zumba, X55, Huppa and Fight Do. All participants had a great time, including the Minister of Sport. A third fundraiser is planned for July. Well done CISNOC! Other Oceania News Olympic Day News from Around the Region Fiji – Mother’s Day was celebrated on 7 May with 60 participants involved. The day commenced with warm-up activities, followed by a basic coaching program in the sports of tennis, golf and cricket. After the Stop HIV Awareness Program was presented, the Ministry of Health conducted weight/height screenings. A wonderful day of sport for the whole family! Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea The Mineral Resource Development Corporation has stepped in to support the PNG Women’s National Team to the Pacific Games in Noumea, New Caledonia. The Team has been in the top five ranking in the Pacific Islands region, and Head Coach, Veitu Diro was grateful for this timely sponsorship in preparing the players for the Games.