In this bulletin:
1. FOOTBALL — Auckland FC make history with OFC Pro League triumph
2. FOOTBALL — Draws for FIFA U-17 World Cup and FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup revealed
3. FOOTBALL — Tahiti’s record-breaker reflects on a lifetime in football
4. RUGBY — Bittersweet triumph as Force down Drua but finals dream ends
5. RUGBY — Kiss pleased with Reds fight ahead handling Moana Pasifika ’emotion’
6. RUGBY — Drua brace for Brisbane finish after brutal turnaround
7. RUGBY LEAGUE — PNG chiefs lock in Luke Burt as assistant coach
8. ONOC — OIN Founders in Conversation: How Partnership is delivering change across the Pacific
9. ONOC — Oceania’s athletes take centre stage as their own Forum opens in Auckland
10. ONOC — Two presidents, one room, no questions off limits: athletes put governance to the test at the Oceania Athletes Forum
11. ONOC — Olympic-grade technology powers ONOC Annual General Assembly as three-year Wiz-Team partnership delivers for the Pacific
12. ONOC — Together as one: Oceania closes its 46th Annual General Assembly with athletes at the centre and partners united
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 25 May 2026
Auckland FC make history with OFC Pro League triumph
AUCKLAND, 25 MAY 2026 (OFC)—Auckland FC have won the first edition of the OFC Pro League, defeating South Melbourne FC 2-1 in the final at Eden Park.
Goals in either half secured the title for Auckland, making history by becoming the first club to win Oceania’s first professional football league.
The ledger was even between the two clubs coming into the big dance, both having won one, and drawn one of their three previous encounters. Both sides knew this was the one that mattered most though.
Riding high off their A-League squad’s Championship success across town the night before, Auckland FC made a bright start. Striker Jonty Bidois showed his strength to outmuscle South Melbourne defender Jacob Eliopoulos, before laying it off for Zac Zoricich to pull wide of the bottom-left corner on his right foot.
Javier Diaz Lopez did well to claw away a shot from James Bayliss, but Auckland FC found the breakthrough from the following corner delivery in the 23rd minute.
Hellas failed to clear their lines, and Daniel Normann lifted a effort over the top of Diaz Lopez, which the ‘keeper could only get fingertips to as the ball nestled in the net.
Normann’s goal sparked wild celebrations from his teammates and the home Auckland crowd – as the first-ever OFC Pro League final goal.
It should have been two when Isa Prins was found in space inside the penalty box, only for him to lift the ball inches over the crossbar from point-blank range.
In contrast, South Melbourne coach Sinisa Cohadzic was growing increasingly frustrated on the touchline. His side lacked the same attacking fluidity that had seen them score 54 goals in their previous 18 games, with a deflected effort from Lampard, and a tame overhead attempt from Swibel their best first half opportunities.
A planeload of South Melbourne fans had made the trip across the ditch too, but matters were made worse for their side when Alex Menelaou was stretchered from the field before the half-time break.
Auckland FC hadn’t lost from a winning position this season, and they went for the kill in the second half. Jonty Bidois remained their focal point up front, forcing a save from Diaz Lopez in a one-on-one situation, and then pulling a right-footed effort wide of the left post from the edge of the box.
Just as he had done in the semi-final four days earlier, Luke Casserly turned to his bench for some impact. He brought both Aston Burns and Matt Ellis into the attack to continue to set Auckland’s energy levels up front.
It was the pair who combined for the decisive second goal in the 72nd minute, Burns laying it through for Ellis, who burst into the box and nut-megged the goalkeeper – all but sealing Auckland as inaugural Pro League winners.
South Melbourne found a goal back late in second half stoppage-time, Arran Cocks picking out Yuki Uchida in the box to head into the top-right corner.
It proves too little, too late however, as Auckland FC held on for the victory and to make history as inaugural OFC Pro League winners.
South Melbourne FC: 1 (Yuki UCHIDA 90+7′)
Auckland FC: 2 (Daniel NORMANN 23’, Matt ELLIS 72’)…PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 25 May 2026
Draws for FIFA U-17 World Cup™ and FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup revealed
AUCKLAND, 25 MAY 2026 (OFC)—The draws for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026™ and FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 have both been conducted.
Four different OFC member associations have been represented across the two draws, with New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Fiji, featuring in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, and New Zealand and Samoa in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026™ will be held in Qatar from 19 November – 13 December and is the 21st edition of the competition – which is now being held annually instead of biennally. All three OFC representatives qualified through their performances at OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2025 – New Zealand finishing as champions, New Caledonia as runners-up, and Fiji in third.
New Zealand have been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Mali, and Vietnam, whilst New Caledonia have been drawn into Group B with Korea Republic, Ecuador, and a still to be determined African representative. Fiji have been drawn into Group H alongside Spain, Morocco, and China.
Meanwhile, FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026™ will be held in Morocco from 17 October – 7 November, and is the tenth edition of the tournament since it’s inception in 2008. New Zealand qualified for the tournament as OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2025 winners, and are joined by Samoa, who finished as runners-up.
New Zealand have been drawn into Group A with tournament hosts Morocco, Germany, and Argentina, whilst Samoa are alongside USA, China, and a still to be determined African representative.
The full match schedule for both tournaments, including dates, venues, and kick-off times, will be announced in due course. …. PACNEWS
F/POLY – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 25 May 2026
Tahiti’s record-breaker reflects on a lifetime in football
AUCKLAND, 25 MAY 2026 (OFC)—It was Samuel Garcia who first spotted Teaonui Tehau’s talent when he was just six years old.
A player himself at the time, Garcia brought a ball to Teaonui’s neighbourhood, and after watching the youngster play, encouraged him to sign up for football at AS Vénus – one of Tahiti’s powerhouse clubs.
Now 26 years later, Teaonui Tehau has finished his first season as a professional player, with Samuel Garcia as his coach. He has captained Tahiti United during their inaugural campaign in the OFC Pro League and is his nation’s all-time top goalscorer and appearance holder.
“I’ve been lucky to have some great coaches throughout my career from a young age, as well as the support of my parents,” Teaonui says.
“We are a big football family — everyone in our family plays football. We live it.”
Arguably Tahiti’s greatest football family, the Tehau’s have shaped the game in the tiny French Polynesian island over the last decade.
Teaonui has been joined by his brother Roonui for Tahiti United’s Pro League campaign this season, and his cousins; Alvin, Lorenzo and Jonathan, have all also worn the national team jersey both on the field and on the sand for the country’s famous beach soccer team.
“It’s a huge source of pride for me to play for Tahiti United, and especially to represent my country Tahiti,” says Teaonui.
He made his international debut for the national team 15 years ago at the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia and has since collected 49 caps and scored 31 goals – the most of any Tahitian international footballer.
In that time, Teaonui has lifted the OFC Men’s Nations Cup in 2012 and appeared at the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 in Brazil – his cousin Jonathan scoring for Tahiti against Nigeria in their opening game.
Having also spent over 15 years with his club team AS Vénus, Teaonui was filled with emotion when he first heard about the OFC Pro League, and the formation of Tahiti’s first professional football club.
“When we first heard about this project, we were all proud – me especially,” he says. “I was extremely proud to be able to fulfill my childhood dream and become a professional player.”
Teaonui has worn the captain’s armband for Tahiti United’s first season and finished as their top goalscorer with seven goals. Whilst their campaign came to an end in the Challengers Group, Tahiti United have built a platform for the future of professional football in the nation.
“When you’re a kid and you play football, your dream is to become a professional. The fact that this professional competition has been created in Oceania means we cannot let this opportunity pass.”
Understandably, in a life where the sport has existed all around him since he was young, football has given much to Teaonui.
“I think when you are a child and you love football, it allows you to meet other people and build connections with people you didn’t know before. I gained lots of friends and brothers.”
He also acknowledges the path that football steered him away from, helping him to gain his confidence and stay out of trouble.
“We all know how easy it can be to drift into delinquency. Football helped me stay away from that and avoid going down that path.”
Whilst it has taken 26 years of his life to get to this stage of his career of playing professional football, Teaonui will forever be grateful to the sport.
“Football has given me everything, and I am proud to play this sport.”
This story has been published as part of OFC’s World Football Giving Day campaign – showcasing the stories of OFC Pro League players who’s lives have been positively impacted by football.
The Oceania Football Confederation is joining World Football Giving Day on May 26, a global movement bringing together the football community around solidarity, generosity, and giving back.
Created by Common Goal, World Football Giving Day is a shared global moment where players, clubs, organisations, fans, brands and communities come together under the message that “Football Shows Its Heart.”
To support, head to www.worldfootballgivingday.org and donate to any of the organisations in any of the 90+ countries. You can also post using the WFGD hashtag #WeAreIn or use the heart gesture as a symbol of solidarity and connection….PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: RUGBY.COM.AU PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 25 May 2026
Bittersweet triumph as Force down Drua but finals dream ends
PERTH, 25 MAY 2026 (RUGBY.COM.AU)—The Western Force’s dream of a first finals series slipped away despite their 19-15 Super Rugby Pacific win over the Fijian Drua at HBF Park on Saturday night.
The Force went into the Kids Round game knowing their destiny was in their own hands.
They needed a bonus point victory to be any chance of catching the sixth-placed Queensland Reds in the final round but fell short as they hunted for elusive late tries.
In a record-breaking night, Kurtley Beale became the third most capped player in Super Rugby history with 186 appearances when he came from the bench after the break.
And homegrown flanker Carlo Tizzano scored his 30th Force try, equalling foundation player Cameron Shepherd’s long-standing record.
His five-pointer and Max Burey’s conversion were the only Force first-half points in an underwhelming display.
The Drua crossed twice from flanker Kitione Salawa and hooker Zuriel Togiatama. Kemu Valetini converted one.
After the break barnstorming No.8 Vaiolini Ekuasi added the Force second, Burey converted, and winger Zac Lomax crossed wide. Valetini added a penalty.
The result leaves the Force in eighth, six points behind the Reds who narrowly edged Moana Pasifika earlier in the day.
The Force will host the NSW Waratahs next Saturday in the final game of the campaign, the Club’s Members Game with tickets on sale via Ticketmaster.
In a scrappy first period neither side really took control but by the break the Drua had forced the Force into twice as many tackles.
The visitors opened as expected, battering through the centre where their backrowers were menacing at a messy breakdown, before going to width.
The Force used their set piece early, predictably taking line-outs from consecutive penalties.
And, equally predictably, it was Tizzano at the back of the rolling maul who went over after nine minutes for his 11th try in 11 games at HBF Park.
But after taking the early lead the Force were set back on their own line and despite some rugged defence Drua flanker Salawa went over close to the posts. Converted.
The visitors then took the lead from a set move when Togiatama was found on the wing by a great long ball from former Force scrumhalf Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa.
The penalty count mounted against the Force and they were playing under a warning before the break with the Drua having dominated play.
The Force needed to be clinical and stay controlled to keep their hopes alive after the re-start as their pack went to work.
They destroyed the Fijian scrum twice – the second time Ekuasi went from the back to crash over. Burey converted to give his side the lead.
Their hopes of the bonus point win still seemed unlikely as Drua launched a massive multi-phase attack that ended with the Force under another warning and a penalty from Valetini to put his side one point ahead.
As tension rose, reserve hooker Nic Dolly was denied a five-pointer when Salawa knocked the ball from his hands as he dived over but Lomax made no mistake in the corner after the ball was swung wide.
And just when captain Jeremy Williams looked to have taken the game to the wire with two minutes remaining his try was ruled out for a knock-on by Dylan Peitsch.
Western Force 19
Tries: Tizzano (9′), Ekuasi (50), Lomax (68′)
Conversions Burey 2/3
Penalties: Nil
Fijian Drua 15
Tries: Salawa (16′), Togiatama (27′),
Conversions: Valetini 1/2
Penalties: Valetini 1/1…PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: AFP PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 25 May 2026
Kiss pleased with Reds fight ahead handling Moana Pasifika ’emotion’
AUCKLAND, 25 MAY 2026 (AFP)—Coach Les Kiss hailed his Queensland Reds’ composure to see off the ‘emotion and spirit” of Moana Pasifika and seal their place in the Super Rugby play-offs.
A late try by fullback Jock Campbell lifted the Reds to a dramatic 33-31 win in Auckland on Saturday night, in what was possibly the final home game for cash-strapped Moana before the club folds.
Trailing 26-7 early in the second half, Moana scored three rapid-fire tries and a penalty to storm 31-26 ahead.
With three minutes left on the clock, the Reds unfurled a slick move which sent the in-form Campbell across for their fifth try.
The result ensures the Reds can finish no lower than sixth and they will join the Hurricanes, Chiefs, Blues, Crusaders and ACT Brumbies in the finals series next month, regardless of the results in next week’s final round of regular season matches.
Kiss hopes that his side’s ruthless finish was a positive sign.
‘As we have done three or four times this season, we held our nerve and found solutions when we had to,” Kiss told reporters.
“You had to respect what was on the line for Moana Pasifika, the emotion and the spirit that came through for them. Their tackles were monstrous at times.”
Reds and Wallabies scrum-half Tate McDermott impressed in his first game of the season, having overcome a hamstring injury.
Captain Fraser McReight said it was a “privilege” for the Reds to be the opposition on an auspicious occasion for Moana, a club set up five years ago to be a professional pathway for Pasific islands players.
Moana’s owners are pulling their funding from the loss-making venture at the end of the season.
The last-placed team’s coach, Tana Umaga, indicated that he had heard no update of any lifeline private offer to purchase their licence.
“This match kind of sums up our season really,” Umaga said after overseeing a 12th straight loss.
“In key moments when we had a plan around things, we just weren’t able to execute.”
Moana’s potential final game next week is against the Brumbies in Canberra while the Reds will host the Fijian Drua….PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: FBC SPORTS PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 25 May 2026
Drua brace for Brisbane finish after brutal turnaround
PERTH/BRISBANE, 25 MAY 2026 (FBC SPORTS)—Fijian Drua head coach Glenn Jackson says his side must recover quickly after a physical encounter against the Western Force before turning their attention to a final-round clash in Brisbane.
Jackson described the match as a “brutal” contest, with both teams heavily engaged in a fierce breakdown battle that made it difficult to build momentum.
Reflecting on the game, he said the Drua were tested in all areas, particularly at the ruck.
“We knew the breakdown was going to be big. Obviously, with Tizzano’s unbelievable skill, I thought we looked after him pretty well.”
He sai that Saturday night’s match exposed areas where his side struggled to secure clean possession, especially in the first half.
“Probably didn’t get the ball we were after in the first half. It was messy at the breakdown. Both teams went hell for leather.”
Jackson said the short turnaround between the Western Force clash and travel to Brisbane adds another layer of difficulty for the squad.
“We haven’t got a bloody great pass. It’s a six-day turnaround and we have to head to Brisbane, so the boys have got to recover well.”
Despite the frustration from the result and the physical toll, Jackson praised his players’ commitment throughout the season, noting how close they have been in several matches.
“I said to the boys, they deserve better. Everyone deserves better. We’ve had five wins and we’re just out of that first bonus point, which is pretty ridiculous.”
With one final match remaining, Jackson said the focus is now on finishing the season strongly in Brisbane, a venue familiar to many of his players through club rugby.
“It’ll be nice to finish on Friday night in a great place to play footy in Brisbane.”
The Drua will meet Reds to wrap up their Super Rugby Pacific season on Friday at 9.35pm…..PACNEWS
PAC – ONOC: ONOC MEDIA PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 25 May 2026
OIN Founders in Conversation: How Partnership is delivering change across the Pacific
AUCKLAND, 25 MAY 2026 (ONOC MEDIA)—The Oceania Impact Network Partnership Forum continued on Friday 22 May 2026 with a panel discussion featuring the network’s founding partners, moderated by ONOC Executive Director Inoke Bainimarama.
The Founders in Conversation session formed part of Day 1 of the Oceania Impact Network Programme within the 2026 ONOC XLVI Annual General Assembly Week at the Hilton Auckland.
Bainimarama acknowledged distinguished guests including Dame Valerie Adams, multiple Olympic and World Champion; Helen Brownlee, former Chair of the ONOC Equity Commission; AOC President Ian Chesterman; and Dr. Michelle Cox, the first consultant coordinator of the Oceania Impact Network.
The panel featured Liz Dawson, NZOC President and ONOC Equity Commission Chair; Roshika Deo from Team Up; Jurgita Sereikaite from UN Women; Sinead Dowling from IOC Olympic Solidarity; and Barbara Schweizer from Olympism365. Three shared outcomes framed the conversation: that women and girls can safely participate in sport; that sport is safe, equitable and unifying; and that policies and networks support gender-equal and inclusive sport.
Barbara Schweizer opened by acknowledging that global tools are essential but not sufficient without deep local partnership.
“What we can do on our own is limited. A local coach in a community sports club does not necessarily speak the same language as a policy document from Switzerland. That is what we do through the Better World Through Sport approach — working with partners who have the local context, knowledge, and expertise,” said Barbara Schweizer, Olympism365, International Olympic Committee.
UN Women’s Jurgita Sereikaite drew on the Get into Rugby Plus programme in Fiji and Samoa, describing a principle central to the OIN’s approach: that changing individual attitudes and changing institutions must happen at the same time.
“If we change institutions but the attitudes haven’t changed, those policies become tick-box exercises. If we change attitudes without institutional change, it creates backlash. They both go hand in hand,” said Jurgita Sereikaite, UN Women Multi-Country Office for the Pacific.
Roshika Deo from Team Up spoke to the Play for Equity grant, designed to shift decision-making power to Pacific communities through a Pacific Islander-led advisory committee.
The grant has grown from eight grantees in its first cycle to 24 in the most recent, with more disability people’s organisations receiving funding directly and becoming system designers.
‘The whole design of the grant is decided by the committee. Team Up just provides the back-end administrative support,” said Roshika Deo, Team Up Programme, Australian Government.
Sinead Dowling from Olympic Solidarity described how in 2023 the partnership funded 15 Pacific NOCs for regional safeguarding training in Fiji, with sustainability built in — NOCs developed national action plans and received additional funding for national implementation. Four have since completed national workshops, with more in discussion.
“We asked NOCs to create action plans for a real pathway forward on safeguarding, with an extra envelope of funding available for national-level implementation,”” said Sinead Dowling, Olympic Solidarity, International Olympic Committee.
Liz Dawson closed by tracing the journey from small, under-resourced NOCs unable to bridge the gap between IOC resources and in-country delivery, to the 2022 IWG World Conference that planted the seed for the OIN.
She described on-the-ground delivery, IOC resources and Pacific cultural knowledge as the foundation of the network’s achievements.
“Having boots on the ground to deliver, resources from the IOC, and people of the region who understand the culture and communities — that combination has been so impactful. We have people coming through who will be doing our jobs in the not too distant future. That is sustainability in action[PN1] ,” Liz Dawson, President, New Zealand Olympic Committee and Chair, ONOC Equity Commission.
The panel was followed by a Testimony of Impact and a closing address on the network’s priorities for the 2025–2028 quadrennial. The OIN Governance Forum continues on Saturday 23 May at the Hilton Auckland…..PACNEWS
PNG – RUGBY LEAGUE: PNG CHIEFS PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 25 May 2026
PNG chiefs lock in Luke Burt as assistant coach
PORT MORESBY, 25 MAY 2026 (PNG CHIEFS)—The PNG Chiefs has announced the appointment of Luke Burt as one of their Assistant Coaches commencing in November 2027.
Burt brings a wealth of experience to the role, having enjoyed a decorated 14-year career with the Parramatta Eels.
Luke made 264 appearances for the club, scoring 124 tries to become their all-time leading try-scorer, and being a part of their team in the 2001 and 2009 Grand Finals, Luke makes the perfect addition to the PNG Chiefs and ensures Willie Peters has depth and experience in his coaching ranks.
Luke was known as one of the game’s most reliable goal-kickers during his playing days, a skill he will bring to the Chiefs in an additional capacity as the club’s goal-kicking coach.
Since transitioning into coaching, Luke has held roles with the Parramatta Eels, the Gold Coast Titans — including a stint as their interim head coach in 2019 — before joining the Burleigh Bears in 2020. Appointed as the Head Coach ahead of the 2023 season; Luke led the Bears to a Minor Premiership and Grand Final in his first year before lifting the premiership trophy last season.
PNG Chiefs General Manager of Football Michael Chammas said the club was thrilled to secure Burt’s services.
“He had an exceptional career as a player, but what excites us the most is what he has done as a coach. He has shown he can develop players and build a winning culture through what he has done at the Burleigh Bears.”
“Luke and his partner Madelin visited PNG recently and absolutely loved their time in the country. They are excited about the opportunity to build something special with the Chiefs alongside our head coach, Willie Peters,” said Michael Chammas.
The latest announcement caps off a strong recruitment drive for the Chiefs and ensures the foundations are now well and truly set for 2028….PACNEWS
PAC – ONOC: ONOC MEDIA PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 25 May 2026
Oceania’s athletes take centre stage as their own Forum opens in Auckland
AUCKLAND, 25 MAY 2026 (ONOC MEDIA)—The 2026 Oceania Athletes Forum opened last Thursday in Auckland with nearly 40 athlete representatives from across the Pacific gathering together under the theme Inspiration to Action.
It was Day 2 of the Forum, following a historic first for the athlete cohort the previous day when, for the first time in ONOC’s history, athlete representatives were formally seated at the ONOC XLVI Annual General Assembly alongside NOC presidents and secretaries general, observing the highest level of regional sport governance as invited participants.
The Forum opened by Sarah Walker, a New Zealand Olympian and former NZOC Athletes Commission member, who set the tone for the days ahead. Walker reminded the room that what they had experienced at the General Assembly was rare and significant, and that the Forum itself was designed to build on that foundation, giving athletes the space, knowledge, and confidence to lead within their own national Olympic committees.
Kenny Wallace, Chair of the ONOC Athletes Commission and an Olympic gold and bronze medalist in sprint canoe and kayak across three Games for Australia, formally opened proceedings alongside Deputy Chair Matelita Buadromo. Wallace drew the room’s attention to the model underpinning the Athletes Commission itself, describing it not as a hierarchy but as a round table where every voice carries equal weight.
“Our goal is to make sure that the athletes are genuinely, sustainably part of the conversation, not just when it’s convenient, and not just to tick your governance box, but because you all bring the lived experience that people cannot replicate,” said Kenny Wallace, Chair, ONOC Athletes Commission
Buadromo, a Fijian Olympian who represented Fiji at the 2012 London Olympics in swimming, reflected on the depth of representation in the room and acknowledged the relationships central to Oceania’s sporting culture. She introduced the session’s special guest ONOC President Baklai Temengil-Chilton while Kenny introduced IOC President Kirsty Coventry, both of whom addressed the athletes directly.
President Coventry, Africa’s most decorated Olympian and former Chair of the IOC Athletes Commission before her election as IOC President in 2025, spoke candidly about what it means to be genuinely included in governance structures.
She acknowledged the complexity of the Olympic movement and the many layers of responsibility that sit beyond the field of play, encouraging athletes to approach governance with curiosity rather than frustration.
“Can we do better? Yes. Should we do better? Yes. Are we working on that? Yes. That is part of growth and how we move forward, but we also need all of you to help us do that in a collaborative way, in a way that makes sense,” said Kirsty Coventry, President, International Olympic Committee
President Baklai Temengil-Chilton, an IOC member and accomplished athlete who represented Palau in canoe, brought a deeply personal message to the room. She spoke of the daily act of showing up, whether at the training paddock or around the governance table, drawing a direct line between the discipline of sport and the work of leadership.
“It’s really about your story and sharing those experiences with everyone. The best thing about Oceania, we all know each other. The best thing about sport, you all are teammates. Share those stories and really be there for each other,” said President Baklai.
The opening session brought together athlete representatives from all ONOC Member National Olympic Committees and seven Associate Members, many of whom had travelled significant distances across the Pacific to be in the room.
With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games on the horizon, the 2027 Pacific Mini Games in Tahiti ahead, and Brisbane 2032 shaping regional ambition, the forum represents a timely convergence of athlete voice and strategic opportunity for the region.
The second day of the Forum continued with dedicated sessions on athlete leadership and commission strengthening, before Day 3 turns to action with a focus on athlete protection, welfare, and practical steps for Oceania’s commissions to take home….PACNEWS
PAC – ONOC MEDIA: INSIDE THE GAMES PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 25 May 2026
Two presidents, one room, no questions off limits: athletes put governance to the test at the Oceania Athletes Forum
HONIARA, 25 MAY 2026 (ONOC MEDIA)—Following the formal opening of the 2026 Oceania Athletes Forum in Auckland, the room quickly shifted from ceremony into conversation.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry and ONOC President Baklai Temengil-Chilton took their seats alongside emcee Sarah Walker for a session that was equal parts fireside chat and open floor, giving nearly 40 athlete representatives from across Oceania the rare opportunity to put questions directly to the two most senior leaders in Olympic sport in the region.
A short warm-up exchange set the mood before the floor opened to delegates. Asked to describe Oceania in three words, President Coventry offered “passionate, integrity, and respectful,” President Baklai answered with “power, intention, and more power.” Then the questions came.
Conversations opened with both presidents asked what the hardest question was they could ask of themselves in their current roles.
President Coventry spoke about the challenge of being the leader with full sight of an organisation while those around her may only hold part of the picture, and the responsibility of building trust across a structure where not everyone can see the same recipe but all need to move together.
The conversation turned personal when Angel San Nicholas from the Northern Mariana Islands asked both presidents about stepping away from competition.
President Coventry described how it was never really about the racing but about the fear of losing the community sport had built around her. A knee dislocation and pneumonia before London 2012 left the ending feeling wrong, so she returned for Rio 2016, finished on her own terms, and walked away with the closure she needed.
President Baklai took a quieter path. She was already an administrator while still competing, the two roles running alongside each other until she simply redirected her energy. She has never entirely stopped. She still paddles.
A Cook Islands representative raised the challenge of staying connected to diaspora athletes based in New Zealand and Australia. President Coventry’s answer was simple: technology, but used with genuine intent. Not programme updates, but real check-ins. How are you? What do you need? The simplest contact, she said, bridges the longest distances when it comes from a place of actual care.
Climate change drew a significant exchange.
Pacific’s disproportionate exposure to rising seas and extreme weather was raised and the President was asked what the IOC was doing to help.
President Coventry was clear that the IOC has a role in advocacy, in holding host cities to higher environmental standards, and in working with organisations whose core focus is climate action, while being honest that direct implementation is not where the movement’s power sits.
“In the Pacific context, this is really right in our shores and in our doorfront,” said President Baklai Temengil-Chilton, President, Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC)
President Baklai encouraged athletes to build environmental networks now, framing climate engagement as part of their career development as leaders, not a side conversation.
The room leaned in when IOC President asked for an update on the IOC’s Fit for Future review.
President Coventry outlined nine working groups, broad stakeholder surveys, and a process of honest reckoning with what is working and what is not.
She was candid about the Youth Olympic Games, describing a divided movement and the decision to pause rather than continue something that was no longer meeting its original purpose.
“We need to be brave enough to say that’s not working, we’re going to stop it, we’re going to evaluate it. That is a little bit of a new culture for us,” said Kirsty Coventry, President, International Olympic Committee.
She also spoke plainly about accountability, signalling an intention to attach conditions to how Olympic Solidarity funding is used, with a clear expectation that a defined proportion reaches athlete development directly.
The final question acknowledged what was already visible in the room: two female presidents, a rarity at any level of sport governance. A delegate asked both leaders about the internal dialogue that carried them to where they are now, and who had championed them.
President Baklai spoke of the women leaders across Oceania who consistently pushed her to raise her hand and step forward, of her husband and two daughters as her grounding, and of the strength that comes from leading with both conviction and heart.
President Coventry spoke of a grandmother who modelled independence, a college coach who showed her how to hold everything together under pressure, and the doubters during her IOC campaign who added fuel to her determination.
“It is important that you have people around you that keep you grounded, that know you for who you actually are,” said Kirsty Coventry, President, IOC.
Walker closed the session with a reminder that the athlete consultation calls connected to Fit for Future, inconvenient as the time zones can be, are precisely what shapes conversations like the one the room had just shared. Show up. Ask the questions. Trust that it matters…..PACNEWS
PAC – ONOC: ONOC MEDIA PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 25 May 2026
Olympic-grade technology powers ONOC Annual General Assembly as three-year Wiz-Team partnership delivers for the Pacific
AUCKLAND, 25 MAY 2026 (ONOC MEDIA)—The Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) is running its 2026 ONOC XLVI Annual General Assembly in Auckland on the same event-management technology that powers some of the world’s leading events.
Having worked together since 2019, this platform is the centrepiece of a three-year strategic partnership with Swiss technology company Wiz-Team, now ONOC’s preferred event management solutions partner.
The partnership was formalised earlier this year through a Service Level Agreement signed in March 2026, with a Letter of Intent confirming a partnership framework through to 2028. Its first major showcase is AGA Week (17–23 May) at the Hilton Auckland, where Wiz-Team’s Event-Works platform manages delegate registration, communications, travel, accommodation, accreditation and access control.
This year marks the first time ONOC has deployed the full delegate app, putting the live programme, session updates, push notifications and in-app messaging in the hands of every delegate a smoother, more connected Assembly delivered by a small ONOC team.
“The platform ONOC uses for the AGA is built on the same technology we run for major international events such as Women’s Rugby World Cup. It works like Lego bricks a core application with modules you plug in and activate depending on what you need,” said Johann Woringer, Founder and CEO, Wiz-Team.
That technology grew out of a very practical problem. Wiz-Team Founder and Chief Executive Johann Woringer began his career as a teacher of young children before moving into design and advertising, where a natural aptitude for computers led him into IT and, later, web development. When he turned to managing data for conferences and events, he could not find a tool on the market that did what he needed so he built his own. Fourteen years on, that early in-house system has become Event-Works, a platform now trusted by organisations across the global sporting calendar.
For ONOC, the appeal is Olympic-grade capability without Olympic-scale resourcing.
“For ONOC we handle registrations, communications, the delegate app, travel, accommodation, access control and accreditations. We simplify it so the team can manage everything without 30 people doing data management full time,” said Woringer.
The partnership was initiated by ONOC Secretary-General Ricardo Blas, who saw an opportunity to standardise event delivery across the region’s National Olympic Committees.
“Bringing Wiz-Team into the ONOC family gives our members access to the same calibre of event technology used at the world’s biggest sporting events, scaled for the realities of our region. This is about working smarter, safeguarding our data, and lifting the standard of every event we deliver,” said Ricardo Blas, Secretary-General, ONOC.
Both organisations see the agreement as a foundation for the future. All event data remains the property of ONOC, and the two parties are exploring a regional athlete database to further connect the Pacific sporting family.
“We are only just touching the potential of how valuable this is going to be. There is so much happening in this region, and a real opportunity to standardise and reduce costs by having as many National Olympic Committees as possible using the same tool. Data is the real value of what you are doing.” explained Woringer
For ONOC President Baklai Temengil-Chilton, the partnership is about strengthening the foundations beneath every member.
“This is an investment in stronger governance, in protecting our information, and in giving every National Olympic Committee from our largest to our smallest island nation the systems to deliver world-class events. When our members are well supported, our whole region is stronger,” said Baklai Temengil-Chilton, President, ONOC.
The standards and systems established through the partnership will support ONOC events on the road to Los Angeles 2028, the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti, and a home Games at Brisbane 2032…..PACNEWS
PAC – ONOC: ONOC MEDIA PACNEWS SPORT: Mon 25 May 2026
Together as one: Oceania closes its 46th Annual General Assembly with athletes at the centre and partners united
AUCKLAND, 25 MAY 2026 (ONOC MEDIA)—The Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) brought its 46th Annual General Assembly to a close at the Hilton Auckland , ending a week that drew the region’s partners together around a single ambition — to keep the athlete at the centre.
The Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) brought its 46th Annual General Assembly (AGA) to a close at the Hilton Auckland today, ending a week that drew the region’s partners together around a single ambition — to keep the athlete at the centre of everything Oceania does. The Assembly was the centrepiece of AGA Week (17 to 23 May) and the first General Assembly chaired by ONOC President Baklai Temengil-Chilton since she took office.
“Together means solidarity. Together means inclusion. Together means no nation, no island, and no athlete stands alone.” Baklai Temengil-Chilton, President, ONOC.
Opening proceedings, President Temengil-Chilton welcomed International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry to her first General Assembly in the region since assuming office. The day began with a traditional Māori pōwhiri and remarks from New Zealand Olympic Committee President Liz Dawson, and saw the IOC present its Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Champions Award for Oceania to New Zealand’s Robin Kober in recognition of more than three decades advancing inclusion across the Pacific.
Reflecting on a week that convened ORADO, the Commonwealth and the Paralympic movement alongside ONOC, the President said partnership and inclusion had been the unifying theme.
“Everyone has their strategy, but it is the same objective and the same goals. The amazing thing about this is inclusion — it is the athlete at the centre of all that we do. We at ONOC cannot do it alone; we rely on our partners,” said Baklai Temengil-Chilton, President, ONOC
The Assembly’s most significant business was ONOC’s own institutional reform, a review of its charter and Articles of Association, including resolutions brought by the Vanuatu NOC, following two years of consultation with leaders across the region.
“This is my first General Assembly, so I am excited to open it today in Auckland and lead that conversation. But the big day for us is really looking at our own institution, doing reforms, reviewing our charter. Reform and change is not easy, but we have to continue to evolve,” said Baklai President, ONOC.
Delegates from the 17 National Olympic Committees of Oceania worked through a full agenda spanning ONOC governance and financial reports, the ONOC Commission reports, an address on the journey to Brisbane 2032 from Organising Committee President Andrew Liveris, and updates on Los Angeles 2028 and the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti. The Assembly closed with the presentation of the 2026 ONOC Merit Awards.
The Merit Awards honoured two pioneering women of Pacific and Oceania sport. Fiji’s Cathy Wong, FASANOC President, longtime ONOC Medical and Games Commission leader and the first Pasifika woman appointed to the World Rugby Council, was recognised for more than three decades advancing athlete welfare, women’s participation and sports medicine across the region. Australia’s Helen Brownlee, a trailblazer in Olympic governance and Chair of the ONOC Equity Commission, was honoured for a lifetime championing gender equity, safeguarding and women’s leadership pathways throughout Oceania.
Describing Brisbane 2032 as a “home Games advantage” for the entire region, the President pointed to the ONOC Games Commission and its partners — Paralympics Oceania, Oceania Sport and Commonwealth Oceania — as central to preparing athletes, coaches, administrators and leaders for the road ahead.
In closing, President Temengil-Chilton thanked ONOC’s partners and reaffirmed that the standards, systems and partnerships strengthened this week will shape Oceania’s journey to Los Angeles 2028, the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti, and a home Games at Brisbane 2032…..PACNEWS
