ANNUAL REPORT 2015 AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1 MISSION To promote and develop all levels of Badminton participation in the Oceania region. VISION Badminton is administered by capable Member Associations and regularly played in schools and communities in Oceania with a pathway for athletes and officials to excel at international events Oceania Badminton Confederation is the Regional Sports Organisation for badminton in the Oceania Region and is affiliated to the Badminton World Federation. CONTENTS President’s Report 6 Chief Operating Officer’s Report 8 Regional Development Manager’s Report 10 Events Committee Report 13 Technical Officials Committee Report 15 Women In Badminton Committee Report 17 Member Country Reports Australia 20 Cook Islands 23 Fiji 24 Guam 25 New Caledonia 26 Northern Marianas 28 New Zealand 30 Tahiti 32 Tonga 33 Tournament Results 36 Financial Statements 39 Audit Report 51 3 CONTACTS PRESIDENT: Geraldine Brown (Australia) DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Nigel Skelt (New Zealand) EXECUTIVE BOARD: Loke Poh Wong (Australia) Gail Eraio (Cook Islands) Michelle Hollands (New Zealand) Leo Cucuel (Tahiti) Leody Vainikolo (Tonga) LIFE MEMBERS: Heather Robson Robin Bryant BWF REPRESENTATIVES: Geraldine Brown VP Oceania and Chairwoman in Badminton Commission Nigel Skelt Council Member and Chair of Marketing Committee Peter Cocker Technical Officials Commission Loke Poh Wong BWF World Senior Championship Working Group STAFF: Julie Carrel Chief Operating Officer Nadia Bleaken Development Manager Lynne Nixey Administration Manager 4 MEMBERSHIP: Australia Cook Islands Fiji Guam Kiribati Nauru New Caledonia New Zealand Norfolk Island Northern Marianas Samoa Tahiti Tonga Tuvalu EVENTS COMMITTEE: Loke Poh Wong (Chair – Australia) Julie Carrel (New Zealand) Leo Cucuel (Tahiti) TECHNICAL OFFICALS COMMITTEE: Peter Cocker (Chair – Australia) Lynne Nixey (New Zealand) David Turner (Australia) Trish Gubb (New Zealand) Greg Vellacott (BWF Assessor – Australia) WOMEN IN BADMINTON COMMITTEE: Michelle Hollands (Chair – New Zealand) Leody Vainokolo (Tonga) Susan Taylor (Australia) Sandra Lowe (Guam) 5 PRESIDENT’S REPORT It is with mixed emotions that I present this report. also a number of international events in Sydney, It has been a year of change and challenge this twelve Maribyrnong, Auckland, Hamilton and New Caledonia months for both the organisation as a whole and those which attracted many players from outside our region, of us involved within the structure. We have had also a positive for the sport. Regarding tournaments, structural changes, staffing changes, office relocation I would like to congratulate Badminton Australia, in and development issues. Nadia Bleaken, decided, conjunction with Tourism Events Queensland, for following the AGM that she would prefer to return their excellent result in procuring the 2017 Sudirman to her Development Manager position, rather than Cup to be held on the Gold Coast. This will be a continue in the COO role. We appointed Julie Carrel wonderful opportunity for our smaller Oceania Nations in an acting role in April and Lynne Nixey also joined to experience a world class team event, and as it is the the team on a part time basis. Teamwork has been the first time the Sudirman Cup has been held outside key and with their dedicated efforts, we are now stable, Europe or Asia, it is a huge achievement by Badminton on track with all projects and in a very strong position Australia. I believe competing in the event will also to move forward with 2016 planning well underway. provide a great lead up for the 2018 Commonwealth Games to be held at the same venue. We welcomed all to the Oceania Championships and Junior Team and Championship Event in February The BWF once again provided subsidies for members to alongside both the Annual General Meeting, where attend the May Annual General Meeting, this year held we elected two new Board members, Gael Eraio from in Dongguan China. It was an excellent opportunity Cook Islands and Leo Cucuel from Tahiti, and a for those of our membership who attended to meet and workshop conducted by the BWF (Badminton World discuss issues (for reduced cost). As Julie had recently Federation) and the World Academy of Sport. A been appointed as acting COO it was an opportunity productive start to the year and extremely beneficial for her to liaise with all. Nadia also attended and for our member countries as both the badminton discussions were held around the ongoing Pacific and the interaction and learning at the workshop was AusAid programme (PSP) primarily Tonga, although very informative and interesting. Importantly, the a project to involve Kiribati is being investigated. BWF feedback from BWF staff regarding the course I encourage all members to avail themselves of the and outcomes has been very positive, a plus for the subsidies provided by the BWF. I believe it is extremely region. Congratulations to the participants, particularly beneficial for us to be able to meet in person more Cook Islands for embracing the information and than once a year, and this initiative provides an ideal implementing the strategies. opportunity for valuable, cost effective meetings. The Oceania Junior event was an historic occasion as it I also believe that, although small in numbers we in was the first time the Championships were conducted Oceania make our presence felt as, during the AGM as a stand-alone event, rather than with the team’s Members Forum, I presented a paper for the Women championship. Previously we conducted a combined in Badminton Group detailing the lack of women’s biannual event but now the individual championships involvement in most Confederations. Proudly Oceania are to be conducted annually. I believe this was a great was the only Confederation which is well represented step forward for our region’s development and can in all areas of the sport. Oceanian Janice Crosswhite only lead to increased participation and growth for (Australian Sports Womens Association) also presented, the sport. As one of the Premier events in our region’s outlining how to improve women’s representation and calendar it is vital we continue to promote and grow Canadian Paralympian Stephanie Dixon outlined her this tournament. journey through sport. At the Gala Dinner, Ms Val Nesbit was honoured by the BWF as their recipient A number of other great tournaments have been hosted of the Women in Badminton Award. Val was the in the region and I was proud to once again attend both inaugural winner of the Heather Robson Trophy the Australian Super Series and the New Zealand Open. (President of Oceania Women’s Award) for her ongoing To have events of this calibre in Oceania is vital for the commitment to our sport through the establishment profile of the sport as the international representation of the June Bevan Trophy and the Atalanta Jamboree of players and the exposure for sponsorship dollars (with which she still continues after 30 years) and it are imperative for a sport such as ours. There were was very pleasing that her achievements in Oceania 6 were acknowledged by BWF. She certainly deserves the hold a racket in their hand”. International recognition. New Zealand and Australia teams competed at the During the year the BWF achieved a major World Junior Championships in Lima Peru and breakthrough when badminton was included in the recorded some good performances. It was however, 2020 Paralympic Games. The inclusion of badminton unfortunate that they were drawn in the same section as a Paralympic sport has been the ambition of the of the event. I am sure it was a wonderful experience BWF for some time. We in Oceania have not been for all and will whet their appetite for further National as active in this area as we should have been. Now representation, possibly inclusion in the Sudirman Cup we must step up and work towards representation in 2017 and Commonwealth Games in 2018. in Tokyo. We need to not only have Oceania representation, but have elite representation, not only We spend a great deal of our resources on developing at the Games but other Para events. It is important younger players but I feel it is important to to develop a support structure for Para athletes in acknowledge our Senior players as well. At the World our region. The BWF have allocated funds to assist Senior Championships, Oceania was well represented the Confederations in the task ahead and I believe by Oceania Board Member Loke Poh Wong who that Australia and New Zealand should demonstrate medalled for the second time, and TJ Weistra who also leadership in this important area. Marianne Loh medalled, and although he played under the banner of from Australia was identified to attend a workshop the Netherlands has been definitely adopted by New conducted by Badminton Europe in December with Zealand. This is a great achievement as the World a view she will implement a similar Oceania/BWF Seniors is a large event with over 1200 competitors. workshop in 2016. It was however, great to see Oceania Congratulations to you both. represented by five players from Australia and one from I appreciate the fresh approach that Julie, Lynne and New Zealand at the BWF Para World Championships. Nadia have taken with regarding to working on the Congratulations to New Zealand player Nina Kirsten communication between the office and our members. who won a silver medal. Member Agreements have been put in place, maybe The Player Development Programme for players and a little later than hoped, but all parties now know the Coaches from Tonga and Tahiti has been progressing expectation between Confederation, Membership and well, with players undertaking fitness testing, on the accountability regarding funds. We will continue court physical and skill sessions, tactical training and to offer assistance and encouragement for countries match analysis under the leadership of Coach Ji Hyun to develop, to ensure we have planned and achievable Marr.