NEWS Issue 14, April/May, 2015 Women Deliver The Biggest Games in PNG’s History Welcome to the latest edition of the WASO News, in conjunction with the 2015 ONOC General Assembly.

This year will see many of our athletes competing at the in PNG, and working towards gaining selection for the 2016 Olympic Games. We wish them every success.

In addition, our W&S Committees are continuing to run successful activities In a ground-breaking move, the 2015 Pacific Games Organising Committee which engage girls and (GOC) comprises 53% women. What wonderful affirmation of the value women in worthwhile women can bring to an organisation! or leadership experiences. The GOC CEO, Peter Stewart states “we are a strong supporter of PNG With my personal best women, and believe in equal participation. We encourage professional, wishes for a successful experienced and skilled women’s participation at all levels of our 2015. organisation to help us deliver the Games.”

Warmest regards, The GOC Board is chaired by Emma Waiwai, an engineer by profession who represented PNG in . Other Board members include Naraai Helen Brownlee Banam, Esther Igo, Mary Johns and Tamzin Wardley. Apart from the Board, Chair, WASO GOC’s Executive Manager, Commercial is Brenda Perreaux who brings to the role a wealth of experience in major international events. Women also 2015 Oceania Events head up the areas of Company Secretary, Finance and Communications, including Coordinators of Press Operations, Government Liaison, Venues, 3 May, 2015 WASO Relay, Volunteer Program, Transport & Logistics, Games Services, and Executive Meeting, Suva, Office. We wish GOC all the best as they prepare to welcome the athletes of the 4 – 18 July, 2015, XV Pacific Pacific to in July, 2015 Games, Port Moresby, PNG

5 – 12 September, 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games, Apia,

11 October, 2015, International Day of the Girl

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Fiji Women’s Team (shown above), France, China and South Africa will join defending champions , , Canada, England, Russia, Spain and USA as core teams in the 2014-15 Series, which started in Dubai in December, 2014 and features six rounds. Good Luck to all Oceania Teams! Women Achievers - Sport

Kristine Seko (PNG) was named top winner – for the Ayana Rengiil (PLW) Gold medallist, Women’s third consecutive year - of the PNG National Amateur Singles, at the 2014 Micronesian Games. Championship held over the Easter weekend at At just fifteen years of age, Ayana Rengiil is the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club. Kristine is also a dedicated to her sport of tennis, training for up 2015 Pacific Games Ambassador and is looking to 20 hours per week. Last year she was the forward to the Pacific Games in July where she will do winner of the Victorian (AUS) Jnr Grass court her best to win a medal for PNG. Championships, the Nth Pacific Regional Championships and the Women’s Singles at Nominations for the 2015 IOC Women & Sport Awards are the Micronesian Games. Ayana juggles her closed, with winners to be announced by the IOC in due tennis training and tournament travel with her course. Remember, you can renominate in consecutive school commitments and dreams of winning a years if your candidate was not successful this year. As an scholarship to the elite program at the US Air incentive, the IOC will fund projects to promote women Force Academy after graduation. and girls in sport, with the winners developing their project in cooperation with their NOC or International Federation. Congratulations Women Achievers - Leadership ladies – you • Dalsie Baniala was re-elected Chair of the inspire us all! Women in Sports Committee (VANWAS) this year. Dalsie was a valued member of the WASO Executive in the past, and we look forward to working with WASO CONTACTS her and her team. Already the passion and WOMEN AND SPORT, OCEANIA interest of the VANWAS Executive has EXECUTIVE raised AUD$887.00 to “kick-start” their activities this year – a truly inspiring effort! Helen Brownlee - Chair [email protected] • Caroline Williams has been appointed Lestly Ashby Chef de Mission of the Fijian Team to the [email protected] 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in Apia, Samoa from 5 – 12 Carol Ngiraidis September. Caroline is an experienced [email protected] sports administrator, and former national representative in hockey, basketball and Susie Yee . She is also one of Team Fiji General [email protected] Managers to the 2015 Pacific Games, Maata Yetzes responsible for nine sports. [email protected]

• Vanessa Kilner has been elected Vice- Julieanne Westrupp President of FASANOC for a two year term. [email protected] www.oceaniasport.com/waso