PAPUA NEW GUINEA INC P.O. BOX 5549 BOROKO NCD PNG MOBILE: (675) 71858270 PHONE/FAX: (675) 3258573, EMAIL: [email protected]

NEWS BULLETIN ISSUE 7– 4TH QUARTER 2011 ______Executive Members: President: Elizabeth Wells MBE Vice President: Bruce Mead ______Secretary: Kathryn Sheehan Treasurer: Sarenah Pini Registrar: Barbara Skelton Property: Lois Nakmai ___ CTO: Kathleen Maskelyne

Papua New Dear Member affiliates Guinea Swimming Inc major and support sponsors :

Merry Christmas Our last news bulletin for 2011

As we move closer to the Christmas holiday break governance, seeking opportunities that will help and the close of another successful year in us to keep abreast of world developments.

swimming Papua New Guinea Swimming Inc It is a strong belief of PNGSI that along with (PNGSI) wish all our members and sponsors a very trained personnel, swimmers must be given the safe and enjoyable festive season holiday break. opportunity to compete both nationally and

It is time to send out a very big "Thank You" to internationally, providing them a starting block to

each and every one of you, for the time you have achieve personal bests, and setting goals.

given to our sport in 2011. PNGSI is sincerely Competitive swimming is an enriching and exciting appreciative and grateful of the support given to episode in the life of a young person and help make the year a successful one in throughout the year we have seem many inspiring development and competition. moments that will be remembered and an We believe through the help of our affiliated Clubs overwhelming number of PNG records broken in and sponsors we have provided the best pathways the Age Group, Open and Masters Categories

PNG Sports for our athletes, coaches and officials to travel on, We thank the media (radio, print media and Federation and take this opportunity to sincerely thank you all. television) for communicating and relaying our Olympic Committee Corporate sponsors play an important part in the news out to the wider community; providing an development of sports in PNG. They are the avenue to educate and promote our sport. backbone that keeps sport alive alongside our The Clubs support of PNG Swimming and its tireless band of volunteers. programs both in competition and education have Olympic It has been an honour and privilege to have Bank been exemplary, thank you. We rely a great deal Solidarity South Pacific on board for the past 9 years as our on the tireless band of volunteers in the Clubs major sponsor, TNT and Theodist as sponsors of who give themselves to the task of developing our our National Short Course and Long Course athletes, guiding them to become better Championships, and support sponsors Daltron and competitors and citizens of our country.

PNG Sports Coca Cola. We also take this opportunity to thank The executive of the Papua New Guinea Foundation NGCB for their support of our athletes attending Swimming Inc say THANK YOU and wish you all a In-Kind the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of wonderful Festive Season filled with happiness sponsors Man and our scholarship recipients to USA, FINA, and joy. Oceania Swimming Association, PNGSFOC and BSP for their support in education and development We look forward to welcoming you back in 2012 programs. as we prepare for a bigger and brighter year of Coca Cola Amatil swimming in the country and overseas promoting (PNG) Limited It would be remiss of me not to mention ONOC, our sport. It is our responsibility to make sure we based in Fiji and the Iowa Central Community have the best prepared team in compete in the College in Fort Dodge, USA for providing PNGSI is 2015 Pacific Games. affiliated to: scholarships for our two swimmers to attend a two year stint in the USA to further develop their To those who will not be returning, we thank you PNGSFOC training and education. for the time you have given to our sport and wish FINA you well in the future. As NIUS we move ON into THE 2012 iHOMEt is important FRONT that we Oceania continue to promote the sport of swimming Until next time………… Enjoy Swimming on…….. Swimming through education, competitions, and good Association

Aquatic Excellence ON THE HOME FRONT Squad Members 2011/2012

BSP GOLD KUNDU TARGET 12-14 YEARS Barbara Leana Vali INTERMEDIATE GOLD Bobby Akunaii Peter Pokawin Millie Knight Sam Seghers Peter Kunda Ashton Kunda BSP SILVER KUNDU TARGET Aika Livingstone Marcus Blake Ryan Maskelyne Jenixon Lim Shanice Paraka

INTERMEDIATE SILVER Alastair Blake SWIMMER HEADS TO Ruth Bunena FOR A TWO Ben Cross Angus Dubar MONTH STINT Kimberley Ila Caitlin Mendoza PNG representative male swimmer, 16 Olive Meraudje year old Stanford Gore Kawale after Jodi Mileng competing in the Pacific Games in Jasmine Mileng Noumea, New Caledonia and the Hector Smith 9-11 YEARS Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bethani Tukana Georgia-Leigh Vele Isle of Man in the later part of 2011 JUNIOR GOLD was identified as one of two swimmers Leonard Kalate to be given the opportunity to train in Ben Paton James Runnegar Brisbane, Australia over the summer Natasha Sagon PNGSI Sanctioned events holiday break with the Acacia Bayside Savannah Tkatchenko Swimming Club. in 2012 Ebony Tkatchenko Catherine Vali Stanford departed for Brisbane on th Jan 16 start of PNG Clubs swim season November 13 to take up residence in JUNIOR SILVER the Skelton household. Raila Ila Chase James Jan 28-29 BSA Sprints Brisbane PNGSI take this opportunity to thank Javana Johnson Feb 4-5 Qld Sprints Brisbane Kevin and Barbara Skelton (PNGSI Mar 4-6 OSA Workshop Nadi, Fiji Ryan Liew Registrar) and a great friend in Emmanuel Nuna Mar 10-11 BSA Snr Metro Brisbane Georgia Pollock Mar 15-22 Aus Open Swim Champs swimming, for opening up their house Matthew Vali Mar 25-26 Qld LC Qual Meet and accommodating our PNG on shore Juanita Vava Apr 9-14 Aust Age Nationals athlete, Stanford Kawale giving him Luke Vava th the opportunity to experience a Nancy Wiseman Apr 12-15 10 FINA Technical officials Seminar, Tokyo, Japan swimming club and training

Apr 16-19 Technical officials Course environment in Australia. Apr 20-22 Theodist Nat LC Champs Stanford began his intense training Apr 24-May1 ASCTA Coaches Convention th May 28-Jun 2 Oceania Swimming Champs program on Monday 14 November Jun 8-9 BASC Dolphin Sprints under the guidance of Head Coach Jun 9 BASC Fundraising Dinner Shaun Crow of the Acacia Bayside Jul 27–Aug 12 Swim Club. Sept 7-9 TNT Nat SC Champs Sept 12-16 Aust SC Champs Barbara wasting no time getting him 15-17 years Sept 22-28 Swim Camp in Aust settled in to his new surroundings said BSP YOUTH Excellence Squad Oct 30-Nov 1 FINA Aquatics Convention “he is ready to rock and roll!” th Coming soon 2012 Dec 12 -16 14 FINA World SC Champs We wish Stanford all the best and hope he enjoys the training and competition The 2012 PNGSI Year book will be available at experience over the next two months in the beginning of the swimming season in January and will have an updated list of sanctioned events Australia. for the year along with carnival dates for BASC and LASC

A FEAST OF COMPETITION FOR OUR USA SHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

First event of the College swimming season

DUAL IN THE POOL

On Thursday 3rd November Iowa Central College Triton Swim Team took on the Iowa Lakes Swim team in a competition held at the Fort Dodge Senior High School Pool.

Our PNG based swimmers under scholarship in Fort Dodge, Iowa, took part in this event.

Judith Meauri swept the sprint Freestyle events, posting times of 25.79 in the 50 yard Freestyle, 58.30 in the 100 yard Freestyle and 2:05.12 in the 200 Freestyle events. While team mate Ian Nakmai finished first in the 100 yard breaststroke in a time of 1:01.77, and the 200 yard breaststroke in a time of 2:21.93

“Our team swam well, and both Ian and I enjoyed our first dual meet. It was a great experience” said Judith.

The Iowa Central College men and women’s swim teams started the competition season with a pair of home victories over Iowa Lakes.

The Dual in the Pool was followed by the Mustang Invitational Competition

The Iowa Central Community College men and women's swim was 1:01.77. teams competed at the Morningside College Invitational on th Saturday in Sioux City, Iowa on Saturday 12 November. This event was followed by the Women’s 100 yard Freestyle which saw Judith Meauri take out first place and the pool There were seven women’s teams competing from Morningside record in a personal best time of 54.79. The previous pool College, University of Nebraska, Iowa Central Community record was 55.29 held since 2004 and Judith’s previous best College, William Jewell College, Simpson College, College of St. time in a yard pool was 58.30. Judith then went on to swim the Mary and Iowa Lakes Community College while the men had 5 200 yard freestyle once again stopping the clock in first place in teams competing from Morningside College, Iowa Central a personal best time of 2:02.85 (previous time 2:05.12) .08 Community College, William Jewell College, Iowa Lakes seconds outside the pool record. Community College, and Simpson College Buoyed on by the success of his last swim and Judith’s success Solid individual performances were recorded by our two USA Ian went on to compete in the Men’s 200 yard breaststroke

Swim scholarship recipients Judith Meauri and Ian Nakmai who finishing in first place in a time of 2:22.55. were represented on the Iowa Central Community College team. Judith then competed in the Women’s 200m Freestyle Relay to conclude our swimmers competition events at the Morningside First event of the competition was the Women’s 200 yard College Invitational. The Iowa Central Community College relay Medley Relay which saw Judith Meauri swimming the 4th leg team swam into third place in a time of 1:47.31 (freestyle) of the Iowa Central College A Relay Team which swam into third place. The Men’s 200 yard Medley relay team Overall the women’s Team of the Iowa Central Community from the College had Ian Nakmai swimming the breaststroke leg College finished third while the men’s Team finished second which saw the team finishing in first place. overall on a point score basis over all events.

In the Women’s 50 yard Freestyle Judith Meauri swam into "We swam well, overall, but we of course discussed ways to second place in a personal best time in a yard pool of 25.62 improve with every swimmer after every race," Head Swim behind first place Cassandra Bonds from UNK 25.59. Both Coach Jeff Olsen of Iowa Central Community College said. swimmers swam under the Pool record of 25.67 set in 2003. "It's certainly exciting to see this much potential unfolding this early in the season, though, and we're already starting th In the Men’s 50 yard Freestyle Ian Nakmai swam into 6 spot in to talk about the potential for our best-ever finishes at a time of 24.34. Ian went on to swim 1:01.61 a personal best Nationals in March." yard pool swim taking out first place. His previous best time

Another competition and more great results asctaCONVENTION 2012 The Annual Phoenix Fall Classic was held over the weekend of 18- 24th April - 1st May 20 November, 2011 at the Chicago University, Illinois, USA. Sofitel Gold Coast, Broadbeach

PNG swimmers Judith Meauri and Ian Nakmai took part in their preferred strokes, Ian the breaststroke events and Judith the More Dates for Your Diary freestyle events.

In the Men’s 100 yard Breaststroke Ian swam into the B final swimming a time of 1:01.84, his final time was 1:03.52. In the 200 yard breaststroke event saw Ian swim into third place in the B Final in a personal best time of 2:17.68. Ian took off 4 .25 seconds off his previous best time.

Judith swam a personal best time of 54.60 in the A final of the 100m Freestyle event claiming 5th place overall. In the women’s 200 yard Freestyle Judith smashed her previous best time of 2:02.84 to finish in a time of 2:00.74 placing 2nd in the B Final of this event and 10th overall. Judith went on to qualify in the final of the 50 yard a heat time of 25.62. Judith stopped the clock in the final hitting the wall in 5th place in a time of 25.54.

"We're not to the point of our season where we're rested yet, so to have had so many personal bests coming off of another week of hard work is very encouraging," Tritons coach Jeff Olsen said. "We'll get some rest going into The Mutual of Omaha meet after

Thanksgiving, though, and I think we're all ready to see how our hard work this fall will pay off." Coaching Stream 24th - 29th April Teaching Stream and Club Coaching Stream 28th - 29th April “ Freshman Judith Meauri led the Triton women with solid Trade Expo (swim & pool products) 27th - 29th April perf ormances in the sprint freestyles, finishing fifth in the 100 to Silver Coaching Accreditation Course 24th - 28th April better her school record in 54.60 seconds. She also placed fifth in Coaching Open Water Swimmer Extension Course 25th - the 50 free (25.54) and was second in the consolation final of the 200 (2:00.74)” said Coach Olsen. 26th April Coaching Adult Swimmers Extension Course 26th April Coaching Swimmer with a Disability Extension Course 27th April PNGSI acknowledges with sincere appreciation the Bronze Coaching Accreditation Course 29th April – 1st May funding support received by the Corporate sector Swim Australia™ Teacher of Babies & Toddlers Course / who have provided the necessary support both Workshop 26th April Swim Australia™ Teacher Course 27th April financially and in-kind for our swimming activities to be realized and swimming to grow on the Swim Australia™ Teacher of Competitive Swimming Course 27th April national and international stage in 2011. Swim Australia™ Teacher of Learners With Disability Course 30th April

We take this opportunity to thank the media who Certificate IV Training & Assessment Course (TAE40110) 25th

- 26th April have promoted our activities. Trainers & Assessors Upgrade Course 24th April We wish you all every happiness and enjoyment asctaAWARDS Dinner: 28th April throughout the festive season and into the New Welcome Party: 26th April Golf Day: 26th April Year .

For information on events, accommodation and registrations: [email protected] MERRY CHRISTMAS For more information on courses: [email protected]

A PROSPEROUS AND HAPPY 2012 Swim Australia's SwimFEST at the asctaCONVENTION

Swim Australia Conference for Swim Schools 30th April - 1st May Swim Australia Awards Dinner 30th April

session the 50m freestyle. He swam finished a credible sixth place with COMPETITION PLATFORM a 22.98 and finished 12th overall. another massive personal best

nd stopping the clock at 22.58. FINA/Arena World Cup Series The 2 leg of the FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup was held in The 50m backstroke event saw Ryan The Asian leg of the 2011 Beijing at the Olympic water cube chase the Chinese down the pool to th th th FINA/Arena World Cup series held pool from the 8 to 9 November. finish in 5 place in the heats from November 5-6 in Singapore, Twenty-nine year old Ryan Pini swimming 24.85. November 8-9 in Beijing, China and began his assault in Beijing with the November 12-13 in Tokyo, Japan 100m freestyle where he clocked “Racing here in Beijing has been saw PNG Olympian Ryan Pini, 49.51 to place him in the Finals. In good, the competition was held at competing in the 50m, 100m the Finals he swam a personal best the water cube, I have so many good freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly time time of 49.11 placing 7th emotions walking back into this in a 25 metre pool. overall. pool,” said Ryan.

The 3rd FINA/Arena Swimming This was the first time PNG had sent In the 100m backstroke event and World Cup series in the Asia region an athlete to compete in this event. 50m Butterfly event Ryan just missed being placed in the finals held in Tokyo started with Ryan Pini In Singapore, Ryan eager to swim swimming 53.39 and 24.14 competing in the Men’s 100m fast swam the heats of the Men’s respectively in the heat swims. freestyle event swimming 49.60 100m Freestyle clocking 49.43, a qualifying in 17th spot. The 100m th In the Men’s 100m butterfly heat backstroke event saw him finish in personal best time to finish in 10 th place. In the 100m backstroke, an event Ryan swam into 7 spot in a eighth place to qualify for the event Ryan has not swum for many time of 52.77 securing a place in the evening final in his fastest heat years, Ryan qualified in third spot evening Finals where he swam a swim from all three meets in a time personal best time of 52.18 placing of 52.93. In the finals Ryan swam for the Final in a great time of 53.30. th In the evening Final Ryan swam the him 7 overall. “He went out in a into eighth place clocking 52.97. 100m Backstroke eclipsing his old comfortable 24.42 and completed This was followed by the 50m the race in a 52.18 a half second butterfly event where Ryan finished personal best by 0.8 of a second th stopping the clock in a time of 52.13 quicker than this morning to finish in 14 place in a time of 24.05. seventh,” said Coach Van der Zant. placing him third (Bronze medal) Ryan concluded the Series by behind the winner French swimmer The 50m freestyle event saw Pini breaking 13 Open records (all Jeremy Stravius 51.80. previously held by him) throughout finish in seventh spot in the heats “After the presentation of the bronze clocking 22.90. In the finals he the 3 competitions. medal Ryan focussed on the 50m butterfly sprint; which saw him Singapore finish in a very close fifth spot to Event Heat Final th swim another personal best time of 50m Freestyle 12 - 22.98 th 23.67 in a short course pool (25m)” 100m Freestyle 10 - 49.43 PNG Open Record Kenyan swimmer 50m Backstroke 6th - 25.16 6th - 24.89 PNG Open Record took out the gold in a time of 22.92” 100m Backstroke 3rd - 53.30 3rd - 52.13 PNG Open Record said Coach Rick Van der Zant.. 50m Butterfly 23.96 5th - 23.67 PNG Open Record 100m Butterfly 7th - 53.21 7th - 52.84 PNG Open Record Day two of the Singapore World Beijing Cup Series saw Ryan swim the 50m Freestyle 7th - 22.90 6th - 22.58 PNG Open Record 100m butterfly qualifying in 7th 100m Freestyle 7th - 49.51 7th - 49.11 PNG Open Record spot for the evening final with a 50m Backstroke 5th - 24.85 PNG Open Record solid 53.21. The Final saw Ryan th th 100m Backstroke 9 - 53.39 swim a time of 52.84 placing 7 . 50m Butterfly 9th - 24.14 of South Africa took 100m Butterfly 7th - 52.77 7th - 52.18 PNG Open Record out the gold in a time of 50.63. Tokyo Ryan backed up to qualify in 6th 100m Freestyle 17th - 49.60 spot in the 50m backstroke final 50m Backstroke 6th - 24.80 4th - 24.50 PNG Open Record swimming 25.16. In the final he th th - finished a very gallant 6th place in a 100m Backstroke 8 - 52.93 8 52.97 50m Butterfly 14th - 24.05 time of 24.89 a personal best time th Ryan also contested in the heat 100m Butterfly 20 - 53.39

Where are they now……… Long time PNG residents Connie and Hugh Davies, former members of Moresby Amateur Swim Club have provided us with information on the success their daughter Rondi Davis is having on the Open water swimming arena.

Rondi was a member of Moresby Club in the 1970s and early 1980s as an age group swimmer before departing for Canberra, Australia to complete her education.

In 1990 she returned to Port Moresby and took part in the Local Island to Ela Beach Open water Swim hosted by PNGSI and BASC club taking out first place in the Women’s division.

Rondi continues to do well in open water swimming worldwide and recently competed in the 28.5 miles Manhattan Island Swim in the USA.

On September 28, history was made. After a 16-year run, endurance. After some weeks of rest, I got back to training Australian Shelly Taylor-Smith’s record for the fastest swim with two workouts a week focused on quality and speed around Manhattan Island and several other records came work. I also did some open water races and increased my down in a flurry of white water and long strokes during NYC mileage (peaking at 60 kilometers per week). I also kept up Swim ’s Manhattan Record Attempt. with some running, about 20 to 30 miles per week.”

Australian -American Rondi Davies, 41, who now lives in New “When swimming I focused on meeting the landmarks at York, broke Taylor-Smith’s record in a time of 5:44:47 seconds. the given times, so I knew if I was on pace or not. It was She had an 11-minute head start against competitor Ollie really nice to know the course so well because as soon as I

Wilkinson so held the new overall record for 10 minutes, ticked one landmark off the list, I was focused on reaching before Ollie finished in 5:44:02, a scant 1 minute 27 seconds the next. I also tried to keep up-tempo songs in my head faster than Taylor-Smith’s 1995 standard. that kept my stroke rate up. There were a few times when I realized I had a really slow song playing so I would change Rondi, who had participated in a record attempt last summer, the track.” swimming with legendary Bulgarian swimmer Petar Stoychev who holds the record for the fastest English Channel crossing, The toughest part of the race was between 34th Street and and Mark Warkentin, eighth place finisher in the 10K open the Battery in the Hudson where we ran into some very water event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics said “Last year was a large swells from the evening ferry traffic. At points I was big unknown in many ways. I treated it somewhat like a test getting launched into the air and it felt like I was slowed swim with a little bit of hope the record may fall, but not too down by this, which was frustrating. I could see I was much concern. I swam hard, had a great time, and was thrilled getting behind the record through this passage. After the to be in an event with Petar Stoychev, who is an idol to me” Battery, the chop died down, it got dark and quiet of boat said Rondi “The event was on September 10, so we swam traffic, and I swam as hard as I could for the last hour and a under the Tribute in Lights at the World Trade Center, and the half.”

Staten Island Ferry veered off course for us (which is unheard of). To top it off, Petar and I raced along the Harlem River During the swim I had feedings every 20 minutes of sports together for the last 45 minutes of the swim.” drinks, Gu, bananas, and ibuprofen.

“ This year was a lot more low-key, which I really liked. We When asked how she felt breaking the long standing record learned so much from last year, so it was just a matter of Rondi said the final stretch through the East River and Hell getting down to business. I had an amazing crew that included Gate seemed to take forever. She knew she’d be close to or two kayakers and four friends on the support boat who were would just miss the record, so was particularly thrilled once busy the whole time cheering and looking out for me. It was she finished and saw she had broken it. great to swim with Ollie and meet him and his team. I had some anxieties about the water since it had not settled down “Growing up as a swimmer in Australia, Shelley Taylor-Smith was a household name. She’s a very accomplished after the floods from Tropical Storm Irene. The temperatures had been uneven and there was a lot of large debris. But that marathon swimmer who has done a lot for the sport, in particular for women’s visibility and recognition. Her record all worked out fine.” stood for16years, which made it feel very out-of-reach. For When asked how she prepared for the race Rondi said, “I did a these reasons it’s very special to me to have broken it, and 100+ mile, 7-day stage swim called 8 Bridges along the Hudson joining the record books with her for this particular swim is River 10 weeks before the record attempt. I had some decent a thrill and a privilege.” fitness before 8 Bridges, but it definitely gave me some great

NEWS FROM FINA

LONDON OLYMPIC GAMES FINA WEBSITE LAUNCHES

BIOGRAPHIES’ SECTION Please note that the FINA website Profile of top stars in the five (www.fina.org) will have weekly disciplines is now available updates (starting from February 1, 2012) on the swimmers and respective Lausanne (SUI), December 1, 2011 – FINA times achieved during the qualification launched today a new section in its website period and events for these Games. devoted to the profile of top-stars in all aquatic As per previous information FINA disciplines. have stated that the total quota of athletes to these Games is 900 athletes The top performances of the competitors, as well as many facts and figures related to their in the swimming events. successful career will be displayed In the Maximum per NF/NOC in the biographies’ section. The access to this section will individual events is two (2) be free of charge to all those interested in knowing competitors. Both athletes must have more about the top aquatic athletes in the world. achieved Olympic Qualifying Time (OQT). To enter one swimmer in an To display this section, FINA has established a event, the competitor must have partnership with Infostrada Sports, a well-known achieved At least an OQT or the company in the area of info system provided to the competitor must have achieved at least media at Olympic Games and FINA World the FINA/Olympic Selection Time Championships. (OST), and be approved by FINA to compete. “This important tool will enhance even more the visibility and attractiveness of FINA’s website and Universality Places - in NF/NOCs will pay a fair tribute to our stars in the five where no swimmers have achieved continents. I am sure that this new section will be either the OQT or OST may enter either one (1) man and/or one (1) appreciated by the followers of our Sport and will woman, provided swimmers help the media in their essential mission of covering participated in the 14th FINA World Aquatics”, considered FINA President Dr. Julio C. Championships – Shanghai 2011 and Maglione about this new enhancement on be approved by FINA to compete. www.fina.org

The total number of Universality The first profiles to be presented in this section places shall not exceed 150 swimmers. relate to all medallists in the five aquatic disciplines These swimmers will be selected in at the 14th FINA World Championships, held last accordance with FINA Points Table July in Shanghai (CHN). (in principle, the best 75 men and 75 The direct link to this section is bios.fina.org women). If there are fewer than 75 athletes for either gender, the other gender could receive more than 75 places. FINA AQUATICS MAGAZINE

The 2012 FINA Point Tables will serve as the basis for the selection of We have received news from FINA that the FINA the Universality athletes, with the Aquatics World Magazine is now available online highest ranked athletes selected first. as well as in hard copy.

Papua New Guinea has three athletes who competed in the 14th FINA world The electronic edition is considerably cheaper than Championships; they were Judith the printed one i.e. US$2 per copy in the online version. Subscription information is available via Meauri, Anna-Liza Mopio-Jane and Ryan Pini. the FINA website.

NEWS FROM OCEANIA OCEANIA

SWIMMING REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP An exciting new development in the building of a ASSOCIATION strong organization to further help the Established 1991 Affiliated to FINA development of the sport of swimming in the region will be realized in 2012.

OSA President Dennis Miller attended the With the assistance of generous funding from Swimming and Synchronised Swimming Events of the Pan Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC), American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico in October at the Oceania Swimming Association (OSA) will be invitation of Mr. Eldon Godfrey, Immediate Past President running an inaugural Regional Development of UANA (Union Americana de Natacion), and our Workshop in Nadi, Fiji from the 4th to 6th March equivalent continental aquatics organisation in the Americas. 2012.

The agenda for the Workshop is still being During his stay, Mr. Dennis Miller was able to have fruitful discussions with the FINA President, Dr. Julio Maglione on finalized, however topics that will be included a number of issues, including future FINA development are: programs and Oceania's representation on the FINA • steering our members towards success in Bureau and Technical Committees. future regional and international

competitions Dennis attended the UANA Congress on 17th October • drawing up strategies aimed at developing all where Mr. Coaracy Nunes Filho from Brazil was elected as FINA disciplines in Oceania the new UANA President for the next 4 years. • drawing up a calendar of development clinics

• improving coaching skills in our members Oceania Swimming Championships 2012 • increasing the number of FINA Accredited

Technical Officials in Oceania The Oceania Swimming Championships will be held from May 28 to June 2, 2012. The New The budget for the Regional Development Caledonian Swimming Federation will be hosting Workshop will include payment of an economy class air ticket and accommodation in Nadi, the event under the guidance of OSA. Fiji for one delegate per full OSA member These championships have been approved by FINA Federations. as a qualifying competition for the London This is an exciting time for our region and a Olympics to be held from July 27 to August 12, positive first step towards establishing pathways 2012. for success.

Matt Dunn appointed Member of WADA Athlete Committee in the FINA FAMILY

Matthew Dunn from Australia, Member of the FINA Athletes Commission, has been appointed Member of the WADA Athlete Committee for a term of three years, commencing on 1 January 2012. In undertaking this new task,

Dunn pursues FINA's commitment for a drug-free sport.

Websites: Stay in the know FINA WEBSITE: www.fina.org; ASCTA: www.ascta.com; Swim Ed: www.swimed.com; SAL: www.swimming.org.au WSCA: www. swimmingcoach.org; PNGSI Website can be found at: www.oceaniasport.com Click on ‘swimming’, Scroll down - Click on ‘Papua New Guinea Swimming Association’, click on a subject in the left hand menu box titles to receive content. OCEANIA SWIMMING ASSOCIATION Website can be found by either looking it up on Google or yahoo search engines by typing in "oceania swimming association" or you can find it on the SportingPulse website which is www.sportingpulse.com News on Scholarship recipients at IOWA Central Community College: www.iowacentral.edu/athletics/swimming/index.asp

AQUATIC STARS GO ONLINE!

FINA Aquatics World Magazine is now available in electronic format!

Visit the FINA website (www.fina.org) and download the requested issues to your PC, tablet (iPad) or smartphone.

Want to save money? The best stories on swimming, diving, water polo, synchro and open water swimming are just a FEW CLICKS AWAY. Prices: Electronic Version per issue 1.5 The FINA Aquatics World Magazine is a 124-page treasure trove of EURO/2USD information, news, views and profiles from the international federations and five

Hard Copy: 4EUR / 6 USD (+ disciplines around the Globe. The printed version of our magazine is duly postage) FINA Member Federations ordering a praised for its high quality and for being of benefit and interest to the worldwide large number of copies will receive the swimming community. The full-colour magazine is published six times a year, publication at a discounted price of 2.5 every second month. EURO_ / 3.75 USD + postage) per copy.

th 5 International Athletes’ Forum These principles could also be considered in the context of FINA Oceania as FINA have recently amended its constitution to adopt Australian MATT DUNN, FINA Athletes a similar position allowing a representative of its Athletes Commission Oceania representative, th Commission to be a FINA Bureau member. recently represented FINA at the 5

International Athletes’ Forum in Colorado Communication and Social Media: The Forum recommended

Springs, USA from 8th and 10th October. that a toolkit be developed, including best practices, to help

Representatives of many other athletes better utilise various marketing and communications

organisations including IOC Members, the tools such as all new social platforms. This could also assist in

IOC Athletes Commission, Continental effective and efficient communication between IFs, NFs and

Olympic Athlete Commissions, the WADA individual members. If effectively established, this would allow

Athletes Committee, IOC Sports and organisations to be more responsive to member’s needs or

potential IOC Sports attended the Forum. issues.

IOC Athletes Career Programme: The IOC should develop and “Whilst the Forum was predominately provide NOCs and IFs with an “IOC ACP Toolkit” including tools focused on the IOC, National Olympic such as a planner for athletes, ARM videos, best practices, tips Committees (NOCs) and International on communication, and training for NOC administrators. Olympic Federations (IFs), I believe there are many elements National Solidarity should participate and fund resources to support ACP Federations (NFs) can take from the general recommendations programmes within each NOC/NOC region.

that could assist them in developing future strategies. I have Health Safety and Security: The Athletes’ Forum strongly

provided a summary of what I believe could offer some benefits believed that athlete involvement in the decision-making

to NFs within FINA Oceania,” said Mr Dunn. process regarding health, safety and security should be

Athletes Entourage: The Athletes Entourage is the system of increased. Their role should also be broadened in areas such as

people around the athlete who assist and guide the athlete sports rule evolution and event organisation.

through the course of their career. The athlete is at the centre of Anti-Doping: The Athletes’ Forum unanimously supports the this system and needs to manage coaches, parents, doctors, etc. view that athletes convicted of a deliberate and aggravated The athlete should be encouraged to designate one person as a doping offence should receive a lifetime Olympic ban. The central point of contact of the entourage, especially in individual Athletes’ Forum recommends that coaches, doctors and any sports, to manage all interfaces (e.g. the coach). Education other members of an athlete’s entourage found to be taking part regarding the roles and responsibilities of the entourage is in illegal doping practices must be sanctioned. critically important and the Forum recommended that improved

educational tools be put in place. Betting and Gambling: The Athletes’ Forum strongly believed that the IOC needs to continue to lead the fight against illegal Athletes’ Commissions: The Athletes’ Forum strongly and irregular betting in sports. recommended that the Continental Associations, NOCs and IFs create and continue to support functioning athletes’ Games-time Experience: The IOC should create spaces within commissions and endorsed two key principles: the Olympic Village that facilitate interaction and social interaction with other athletes from different cultures, sports - That the commission is represented within the NOC’s and countries (e.g. post-competition social space, lounge executive body by at least one member who is an showing sports TV, relaxed coffee house and “meet the legends” athlete, elected by the NOC General Assembly or the space). Commission, who will have the right to vote within this executive body. “If you would like additional information or have any feedback regarding the topics about please contact Liz Wells or myself - That the athletes’ commission is represented at the ([email protected]).” concluded Mr Matt Dunn. NOC General Assembly by at least two of its members, who must be athletes elected by the Commission, who (pic taken PNG 2010) will have the right to vote within this Assembly.