Draft Minutes of the Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island,

Present: Mr Vidhya Lakhan, President PGC (Chairman) Mr James Tobin, Vice President PGC Mr David Boyd, Secretary-General PGC Mr John Tierney, Treasurer PGC Mr Carl Probert, Athletes’ Representative PGC Ms Mel Donald, Board Member PGC Mr Andrew Minogue, Executive Director PGC Sir John Dawanincura, Past President PGC Mr Ricardo Blas, Past President PGC

Reverend Ken Tupua, President, American Mr Hugh Graham, President, Mr Berney Martin, President, Federated States of Micronesia Ms Lorraine Mar, Secretary-General, Ms Alini Sovu, Chef de Mission, Fiji Ms Anita Blas, Chief Executive Officer, Mr Rota Onorio, Secretary-General, Mr Terry Sasser, Secretary-General, The Hon. Marcus Stephen, President, Mr Guy Fenot, Vice President, Mr Laurent Cassier, Treasurer, New Caledonia Mr Michel Quintin, Executive Director, New Caledonia Mr Paul-Antoine Grangeon, New Caledonia Mr Maru Talagi, Vice President, Mr Michael White, President, Mr Dennis Sterling, President, Ms Auvita Rapilla, Secretary General, Ms Baklai Temengil, Secretary-General, Nu’u Tapasu Leung Wai, President, Samoa Mr James Iroga, President, The Hon. Tauhiti Nena, President, Tahiti Mr Thierry Hars, Secretary General, Tahiti Mr Charles Villierme, Executive Director, Tahiti Ms Susan Perez, Acting Secretary-General, Tokelau Lord Tevita Tupou, President, Siosifa Takitoa Taumoepeau, Secretary General, Tonga Mr Vete Sakaio, Vice President, Mr Joe Carlo, Vice President, Mr Soakimi Polelei, President, Wallis and Futuna

1

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

Observers: H.E. Michel Jean-Jean, Prefet in Wallis and Futuna, Government of France H.E. Vetelino Nau, President, Territorial Assembly of Wallis and Futuna H.E. Setefano Hanisi, the Kivalu, Minister representing the King of Wallis H.E. Setefano Takaniko, the Sa’atula, Minister representing Futuna The Hon. Mark Brown, Minister for Finance and Sport, Cook Islands

COWF2013 Organising Committee

Mr Vahai Tuulaki, President, Wallis and Futuna 2013 Mr Stephane Pambrun, Treasurer, Wallis and Futuna 2013 Ms Filomena Taufana, Secretary-General, Wallis and Futuna 2013 Mr Eddy Filipponi, Executive Director, Wallis and Futuna 2013 Mr Jeff Chelpi, Sports Director, Wallis and Futuna 2013 Ms Sophie Gandon, Marketing Director, Wallis and Futuna 2013 Ms Elodie Pintat, Village Director, Wallis and Futuna 2013 Mr Yanik Burkhard, Logistics Director, Wallis and Futuna 2013 Mr Florian Poiron, Volunteers Director, Wallis and Futuna 2013 Mr Pascal Potrick, Conseiller Technique, Wallis and Futuna 2013 Mr Patrick Bonfils, Conseiller Technique, Wallis and Futuna 2013

PNG2015 Organising Committee

Mr Peter Stewart, Chief Executive Officer

Tonga 2019 Bid Delegation

HRH Prince Ata, Crown Prince of Tonga Lord Vaea, Minister for Internal Affairs and Sport Mr 'Ahongalu Fusimalohi Mr Lopeti Senituli Mr Michael Bloomfield Mr Paea Wolfgram Mrs Tupou Pasikala-Fiu

Tahiti Nui 2019 Bid Delegation

The Hon. Tauhiti Nena, Minister for Sport Mr Faana Taputu Mr Davidson Bennett Ms Daniele Guyonnet Ms Patricia Maire Teaotea

2

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

1. CALL TO ORDER

The President of the Pacific Games Council, Mr Vidhya Lakhan (Chairman of the meeting), called the meeting to order at 9.05am on Thursday 18 October and asked the Reverend Ken Tupua () to lead the General Assembly in prayer.

The Chairman then asked that all attendees be upstanding to observe one minute’s silence in honor of the late former Cook Islands PGA President, Sir Geoffrey Henry.

2. ROLL CALL AND APOLOGIES

David Boyd (Secretary-General) called the roll and informed the meeting that all 22 Pacific Games Associations (PGAs) were noted as present.

Andrew Minogue (Executive Director) noted that two apologies had been received from the New Caledonia PGA - Charles Cali (President) and Roger Kaddour (Past President).

The Chairman announced that with all PGAs present, the meeting had obtained the necessary quorum as per Article 13.4 of the Charter, and was thus declared open.

3. OFFICIAL OPENING ADDRESSES

President Vidhya Lakhan (Chairman) formally welcomed all participants to the meeting and acknowledged the presence of the French Government’s Prefet in Wallis and Futuna, H.E. Michel Jean-Jean, the President of the Wallis and Futuna Territorial Assembly, H.E. Vetelino Nau, the Kivalu, Minister representing the King of Wallis Island, H.E. Setefano Hanisi, and the Sa’atula, Minister representing Futuna, H.E. Setefano Takaniko. In accordance with local protocol and custom, the Chairman then invited the President of the Territorial Assembly to make the first formal address to the meeting.

President Nau welcomed all participants to the General Assembly and thanked them all for travelling so far to reach Wallis Island. He formally greeted the Pacific Games Council President, Executive Board and PGA delegates, as well as the host PGA (CTOS- WF), and the Wallis and Futuna 2013 Organising Committee (COWF2013). He especially thanked the Council for all of the assistance and advice it had provided to COWF2013.

President Nau said it was a special joy to welcome everybody to the Territorial Assembly, the seat of government in Wallis and Futuna. He outlined the history of Wallis and Futuna and explained its current economic and social situation. He said hosting the 2013 would be a very valuable exercise for the youth of Wallis and Futuna, many of whom were moving to New Caledonia in order to seek work opportunities.

3

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

President Nau thanked the Council for bringing the Pacific Mini Games to Wallis and Futuna, and the opportunities that this would provide to the youth of Wallis and Futuna. In closing he wished the delegates a fruitful meeting.

In response, the Chairman thanked President Nau for honouring the meeting with his presence; for allowing the Council to meet in the Territorial Assembly building; and for explaining the history and current circumstances of Wallis and Futuna. He promised that the Council would come back in far greater numbers in 2013 for the Pacific Mini Games and that the athletes of the region would be delighted to compete in such an historic event for Wallis and Futuna. He thanked President Nau and the people of Wallis and Futuna for their hospitality and generosity.

Turning to his own welcoming address, the Chairman formally welcomed the 22 PGAs to the meeting as well as two former Presidents of the Council, Sir John Dawanincura and Ricardo Blas. He also greeted a number of other dignitaries in attendance, namely the Crown Prince of Tonga, and the Ministers of Sport for Tahiti, Tonga, and Cook Islands.

The Chairman then thanked the host PGA, the CTOS-WF, and the Organising Committee for the 2013 Pacific Mini Games, COWF2013, for organising such a wonderful traditional kava ceremony with the King of Wallis and the local high chiefs. It was a rare and special honour and the Council was very grateful and appreciative for the gesture.

The Chairman said that the first few days in Wallis and Futuna and the Chefs de Mission briefing hosted by COWF2013 had shown that the 2013 Pacific Mini Games were in good hands. All PGAs could now look forward to a unique and special Games in 2013,and he paid tribute to the assistance provided by the Government of France, though the Prefet, by the Wallis and Futuna Territorial Assembly Government, and by the chiefs, traditional leaders, and people of Wallis and Futuna. Without their support, the CTOS-WF and COWF2013 could not succeed in their mission.

The Chairman then referred to his opening address to the 2011 General Assembly and reiterated the continuing need to “add value” to the Pacific Games so that it retained both its culture and its standing as the premier multi-sports event in the Pacific region.

The Chairman said the Council could not afford to allow a rival event to emerge, and so a dialogue with stakeholders was needed to ensure the Pacific Games continued to meet their needs. That would include more work on making sure Pacific Games events could be used as a qualification event for Olympic Games or World Championships.

The Chairman noted that there were some international federations that were holding back on according this qualifying status to the Pacific Games because not all Oceania countries participated in the Pacific Games. The Council would work with ONOC to find ways and means of rectifying this problem, and he announced that John Tierney

4

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

(Treasurer) and Andrew Minogue (Executive Director) had been appointed by the Executive Board to engage in discussions with ONOC. Their brief would be to explore all available opportunities, which may entail larger nations like Australia and New Zealand participating in selected sports, but he stressed that they would have no authority to enter into binding agreements and the final decision on these matters would rest with the Council membership.

The Chairman said that a lot of work had already been done towards improving the Pacific Games sports program through the mandatory post-Games Review, and numerous recommendations would be placed before the General Assembly on a range of matters affecting the future of the Pacific Games sports program. He expressed hope that these would meet with the approval of the membership.

The Chairman also asked the membership to approve the recommendations to form a limited liability company based in Fiji, which, he said, was a top priority for this meeting.

The Chairman said that the Executive Board remained very conscious of the need to reduce the costs and financial burdens of participation in the Pacific Games. The Council had already eliminated subscription dues and athlete entry fees, and through a Marketing Seminar to be held after the first session of the General Assembly meeting, further cost reduction initiatives would be explored.

The Chairman also noted that the question of a Pacific Youth Games replacing the existing Pacific Mini Games had been around for a while, but that the Executive Board would be recommending a very cautious approach to this question. The Council did not yet have enough guaranteed support from governments around the region to successfully make this change.

In closing, the Chairman said there was no denying that the Council had come a long way since the current Executive Board team came to office in 2003, but that there was still an awfully long way to go to ensure the future viability and success of the Pacific Games. He thanked the PGAs for their support and asked them to actively participate in the debates over the next two days.

The Chairman then invited the President of the CTOS-WF, Soakimi Polelei, to make his opening address.

President Polelei thanked the Chairman for his remarks and words of encouragement for CTOS-WF and COWF2013. He said he was a very happy man to be finally able to welcome all 21 visiting PGA representatives to Wallis and Futuna. With the support of all of the PGAs, President Polelei said he had no doubt that Wallis and Futuna would be able to stage a very good Pacific Mini Games in 2013.

5

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

President Polelei thanked the Council for all the support and guidance it had provided to CTOS-WF and COWF2013. This sharing of knowledge represented the true values of the Pacific. He hoped the delegates would have a wonderful week in Wallis Island and looked forward to welcoming everybody back to Wallis and Futuna in 2013. He promised a simple but unique Pacific Mini Games in conformity with COWF2013’s slogan for the Games.

The Chairman thanked President Polelei for his address, and as is custom in Wallis and Futuna, invited His Excellency Michel Jean-Jean, the Government of France’s Prefet in Wallis and Futuna, to make the last of the opening speeches of welcome.

The Prefet also thanked the Chairman for his earlier remarks and extended his warm greetings to the Council membership and visiting dignitaries. He noted that until now Wallis and Futuna had always been the delegation to travel to participate in the affairs of the Pacific Games Council and the Games themselves. Now, it was the turn of everybody else to travel to Wallis and Futuna. He said he hoped everyone would feel at home during this important week of meetings. The 2013 Pacific Mini Games would indeed be simple but unique as this was a crucial time in the development of the territory. In 2011, Wallis and Futuna celebrated the 50th anniversary of its formal association with France. Dignitaries came from around the world in much the same way as the entire Pacific sporting family would descend on Wallis and Futuna for the 2013 Pacific Mini Games. This was very important for the cultural, social and economic integration of Wallis and Futuna into the wider Pacific region.

The Prefet said that the Government of France had put significant financial resources behind the successful staging of the 2013 Pacific Mini Games, but what would guarantee the success of the event was the enthusiasm and pride of the local people and the hunger to succeed embodied by COWF2013. He noted that there remained a lot of work to be done, but the ambition was certainly evident for Wallis and Futuna to stage a wonderful event. Despite its small size, solutions to problems had been found and all would be ready for the Opening Ceremony on 2 September 2013.

In closing the Prefet wished the President a very prosperous General Assembly meeting and he wished all of the delegates a safe and happy visit to Wallis Island.

4. MINUTES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NOUMEA, 4 SEPTEMBER 2011

The Chairman advised that the minutes of the 4 September 2011 General Assembly were circulated electronically in advance of the meeting, and hard copies were provided for each PGA. The Chairman asked that the minutes be taken as read and approved as a true record of the meeting. It was moved by Northern Mariana Islands, seconded by Tonga, and approved by the meeting as a true record of the 2011 General Assembly.

6

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

5. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE 2011 GENERAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES

The Chairman guided the meeting through each page of the minutes and asked the delegates if there was any business arising from the minutes that they wished to raise. There being no questions, it was formally recorded that there was no business arising from the minutes.

6. REPORTS

A. Executive Board Report

Andrew Minogue (Executive Director) presented the Executive Board Report which included an update on the President’s activities as well as the Executive Director’s activities (refer attached PowerPoint presentation). There were no questions arising from the report, which was then formally accepted by the meeting.

B. Treasurer’s Report

John Tierney (Treasurer) presented his report to the meeting (refer attached PowerPoint presentation and the copy of the audited 2011 financial statements distributed prior to the meeting).

Following the Treasurer’s presentation, questions were invited from the floor of the General Assembly.

Michael White (Northern Mariana Islands) asked for an explanation for the $5,810 in accounts receivable which had been written off as bad debts.

The Treasurer explained that under the International Financial Reporting Standards, which the Council was now following through its auditors, Ernst & Young, longstanding accounts had to be written off as bad debts if there was no likely future resolution and payment. The $5,810 in question referred to obligations from the period around the which were no longer capable of being resolved.

Sir John Dawanincura (Papua New Guinea) congratulated the Treasurer for his report, but said he was confused by the language and terminology used in the financial statements, particularly with the presentation of the Profit & Loss and the Balance Sheet. He also asked why the annual general meeting costs had declined substantially in 2011 as against 2010; why the Council’s administration costs had risen in 2011 as against 2010; and why the creditors and accruals had decreased so significantly in 2011.

7

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

The Treasurer explained that new terminology was being used in the Council’s financial statements as a result of the policy decision to conduct a more extensive audit with Ernst & Young in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as opposed to merely Fijian Accounting Standards as had occurred in the past. As an example, and in response to the question from Sir John Dawanincura, Profit & Loss statements were now presented as a Statement of Comprehensive Income. This change in accounting standards policy did not affect the actual financial results of the Council; they were simply reported in a slightly different format.

The Treasurer also explained that the Council’s marketing revenues from the Organising Committee, much which had been held as revenue in advance for several years, had now finally been attributed to income in 2011, which meant that creditors and accruals were virtually eliminated except for the auditors fees which were recognised in advance. The Council’s accounts were now very much aligned to actual cash flows and would in future be easier for members to interpret.

The Treasurer asked the Executive Director to explain the expenditure movements between 2011 and 2010 as requested by Sir John Dawanincura.

The Executive Director explained that in 2011, unlike in 2010, there was no PGA airfare subsidy to attend the General Assembly, as it was held during the Pacific Games. That accounted for a large fall in the annual general meeting costs. In the 2012 accounts, those costs would go back up as a result of the PGA airfare subsidy for travel to Wallis Island. In relation to administration costs, those rose in 2011 for two reasons, primarily additional expenditures around the Council’s activities related to the New Caledonia 2011 Pacific Games, and because of some increased employee superannuation and social security liabilities around the Executive Director’s employment in New Caledonia.

Tapasu Leung Wai (Samoa) referred to the Council’s mission statement to develop sports and asked when would the Council exceed its market limitations and develop less limiting income streams. At present, he said it appeared as though all the Council could do financially was support itself and the Executive Board’s activities. He said that for the 2007 South Pacific Games, Samoa reduced the per diem which directly assisted PGAs to develop their sports and their athletes.

The Treasurer noted that the financial position of the Council was improving all the time and revenue streams with Organising Committees had been contracted for 2013, 2015, 2017, and by the end of the General Assembly, for 2019 as well. These contracts were delivering real benefits to the membership. These contracts were now worth over $200,000 for the Mini Games and towards $1 million for the Pacific Games. In Palau in 2005, the Council received only $5,000 in revenue, so the movement had progressed a great distance in terms of increasing its financial security.

8

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

The Treasurer also said that a Marketing Seminar for PGAs would be held after the first session of this meeting in order to explore areas for future revenue growth.

The Chairman added that the Council had spent $70,000 to get all of the PGAs to this meeting and it no longer levied participation fees on PGAs. Therefore, the Council was financially supporting a lot more than just the Executive Board’s activities. The Council, he said, would continue to examine ways to lower the costs and burdens on PGAs. However, the Council would also continue embarking on the policy of creating financial reserves that could sustain its operations in the event that a failed Games eventuated which did not deliver its contracted revenues to the Council. Once these reserves had been properly established, further benefits would flow to PGAs.

Ricardo Blas (Guam) asked the Treasurer to clarify the Council’s current status as a company or as a society and whether the use of International Financial Reporting Standards was linked to the Council’s incorporation in Fiji.

The Treasurer answered that the Council was registered as a society in New Caledonia but would be incorporating in Fiji subject to the endorsement of the General Assembly. As the Council would be presenting itself to stakeholders as a company bound by Fijian company law, the Council’s auditors, Ernst & Young, had recommended the more comprehensive audit under International Financial Reporting Standards.

With no further questions of the Treasurer, the Chairman asked for a motion to adopt the Treasurer’s report and the 2011 audited financial statements. On the motion of Palau, seconded by Cook Islands, the Treasurer’s report and the 2011 audited financial statements were unanimously adopted by the meeting.

C. Marketing Committee Report

John Tierney (Treasurer, and Marketing Committee Chairman) presented the Marketing Committee report (refer attached PowerPoint presentation).

The Chairman said he would entertain questions but noted that later in the afternoon, the General Assembly would adjourn for the Marketing Seminar for PGAs which would deal with marketing issues in greater depth.

Laurent Cassier (New Caledonia) asked whether the marketing rights fee imposed on the Mini Games hosts was a set amount or a percentage of the marketing revenue derived.

The Treasurer said the Pacific Mini Games were traditionally held in small commercial market environments and so the fee was relatively low. For Wallis and Futuna 2013, it was a flat fee of $200,000. The size and capacity of the host country’s economy was taken into account when establishing the fee.

9

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

With no further questions, the Chairman asked the meeting to formally adopt the Marketing Committee’s report and urged all PGAs to attend the Marketing Seminar for PGAs later in the afternoon.

The General Assembly unanimously adopted the Marketing Committee’s report.

D. Sport Committee Report

James Tobin (Vice President and Chairman of Sports Committee) presented the Sport Committee report (refer attached PowerPoint presentation), including a preview of the compulsory Sport Program Review recommendations to be debated in Agenda Item 7.

In closing, the Vice President said it was an honour to have been a member of the Executive Board for the past nine years and to chair the Sports Committee. He thanked all of the Sport Committee members for their hard work and dedication.

The Chairman thanked the Vice President for his report and for the outstanding work he had overseen on the sports program. He then asked the meeting to formally adopt the Sport Committee’s report. The General Assembly duly adopted it.

7. CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSALS

A. Sport Program Review Proposals

The Chairman invited the Executive Director to guide the meeting through each of the proposals, and in turn the General Assembly would vote separately on each proposal.

The Executive Director explained that in accordance with Article 29.2 of the Constitution, the distribution of the Sport Committee and Executive Board’s recommendations on the Sport Program Review occurred on 12 June 2012, giving PGAs at least 90 days to consider the recommendations. He also noted that hard copies were on hand to be referred to by participants in the meeting.

The Executive Director explained that with 22 PGAs in attendance, amendments to the Articles of the Constitution would require fifteen votes in favour to reach the necessary two-thirds majority. Amendments to the Protocols or Regulations would require a simple majority of twelve votes.

The Executive Director explained the Executive Board’s position on each of the following recommendations (as presented on the attached PowerPoint presentation) before inviting questions or comments from delegates:

10

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

Recommendation 1: Reduction of Size of Pacific Games to 26 Sports (Articles 22.1&2)

Lord Tevita Tupou (Tonga) said the size of the Pacific Games should be reduced even further in the future, but he accepted the recommendation.

Sir John Dawanincura (Papua New Guinea) noted that this amendment would not impact on PNG2015’s plan to offer 28 sports, but he supported the recommendation.

Michael White (Northern Mariana Islands) said he supported the reduction, but that there may still be instances where sports failed to get the minimum level of six PGA entries depending on which optional sports were selected by the Organising Committee.

With no further questions, the Chairman put the recommendation to the vote, and with 19 PGAs in favour of the motion, it was declared carried.

Recommendation 2: Reduction of Size of Pacific Mini Games to 12 sports (Article 23.2)

Ricardo Blas (Guam) asked whether there would still be a minimum number of sports.

The Executive Director affirmed that the minimum number of five sports for the Pacific Mini Games would remain in place.

Lord Tevita Tupou (Tonga) sought clarification as to whether the maximum number of sports in the Pacific Mini Games program was being reduced from 15 to 12 sports.

The Executive Director confirmed that that was indeed the recommendation.

With no further questions, the Chairman put the recommendation to the vote, and with 19 PGAs in favour of the motion, it was declared carried.

Recommendation 3: Increase the number of compulsory sports to 13 (Articles 22.1 &2)

With no questions, the Chairman put the recommendation to the vote, and with 21 PGAs in favour of the motion, it was declared carried.

Recommendation 4: Recognise Indoor and as two disciplines of the one sport of Volleyball (Article 22.1)

Michael White (Northern Mariana Islands) asked whether a Pacific Mini Games host could offer just one of these disciplines.

The Chairman said that issue, if it ever arose, would be at the discretion of the Council, working together with the local Organising Committee.

11

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

With no further questions, the Chairman put the recommendation to the vote, and with 21 PGAs in favour of the motion, it was declared carried.

Recommendation 5: Include Women’s on the compulsory sport list (Articles 22.1&2)

With no questions, the Chairman put the recommendation to the vote, and with 21 PGAs in favour of the motion, it was declared carried.

Recommendation 6: Include Men’s and Women’s on the compulsory sport list (Article 22.1)

With no questions, the Chairman put the recommendation to the vote, and with 21 PGAs in favour of the motion, it was declared carried.

Recommendation 7: Include on the compulsory sport list (Articles 22.1&2)

With no questions, the Chairman put the recommendation to the vote, and with 20 PGAs in favour of the motion, it was declared carried.

Recommendation 8: Include on the compulsory sport list (Articles 22.1&2)

Ricardo Blas (Guam) said it was important to note that the Oceania Judo Union (OJU) had been inappropriately circulating information that it was mandatory for the Council to include Judo on the compulsory sports program.

The Executive Director agreed that this was a matter for the Council to resolve, not the OJU, and that it was the recommendation made by both the Sport Committee and Executive Board that Judo be elevated to the compulsory sport list.

With no further questions, the Chairman put the recommendation to the vote, and with 19 PGAs in favour of the motion, it was declared carried.

Laurent Cassier (New Caledonia) asked Papua New Guinea to consider adding Judo to its PNG2015 program now that it had been endorsed as a compulsory sport.

The Chairman noted the request from New Caledonia, but said that Papua New Guinea had announced its sports program in conformity with the Charter as it was written at the time. Changes to the compulsory sport program made at this General Assembly would not therefore be binding on Papua New Guinea.

12

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

Sir John Dawanincura (Papua New Guinea) said that the 28 sports on the PNG2015 program were now set and would not be re-opened for amendment.

Recommendation 9: Retain , Powerlifting, Bodybuilding and on the optional sports list and place them on a watch list for possible future promotion to the compulsory sports list

The Chairman asked that a separate vote be held on Netball as it had been the subject of a separate proposal by Papua New Guinea for promotion to the compulsory list. The Chairman put the Executive Board’s recommendation to the vote, and with 19 PGAs in favour of the motion, it was declared carried, so Netball would remain an optional sport.

In relation to Powerlifting and Bodybuilding, Marcus Stephen (Nauru) noted that these two sports had each received ten PGA entries at the 2011 Pacific Games, the same as Judo and Taekwondo.

The Executive Director explained that the Charter expressed a preference for Olympic sports, which was an advantage for Judo and Taekwondo. He also said the doping issues and international federation affiliation issues surrounding both Powerlifting and Bodybuilding caused the Sports Committee and Executive Board to caution against their promotion to the compulsory list at this point in time.

With no further questions, the Chairman put the Executive Board’s recommendation to the vote, and with 21 PGAs in favour of the motion, it was declared carried, so Bodybuilding, Powerlifting and Triathlon would remain optional sports.

Recommendation 10: Demote Football to the optional sport list (Articles 22.1&2)

Lord Tevita Tupou (Tonga) said that Football was the world’s premier sport and the Council needed to try to work more closely with Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) so that it fully appreciated the issues surrounding some member PGAs having Football Associations affiliated in Asia.

Marcus Stephen (Nauru) said he was concerned by the recommendation. Whether a sport was being used as a World Cup or Olympic qualifier should not be relevant to its position on the compulsory sports list. By taking this step, the Council would be demoting the biggest sport in the world, which had healthy levels of participation at the Pacific Games, and he questioned the ramifications for FIFA funding that would ensue.

Sir John Dawanincura (Papua New Guinea) said that as Football was one of Papua New Guinea’s biggest sports, it should remain a compulsory sport.

13

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

James Iroga (Solomon Islands) said Football was his country’s number one sport and there was no reason to demote it to the optional sport list.

Joe Carlo (Vanuatu) said Football should retain its position as a compulsory sport and it would be sad to demote the biggest sport in the world.

Tauhiti Nena (Tahiti Nui) agreed that Football should be retained as a compulsory sport.

Lorraine Mar (Fiji) reminded the meeting of the importance of having Football use the Pacific Games as a qualifying event. This was a status that could help to sell the Pacific Games and add value to the event which was now a clear priority for the Council. OFC’s position in denying qualification status for the Pacific Games needed to be addressed and she expressed Fiji’s support for the recommendation as a means of achieving this.

Tapasu Leung Wai (Samoa) agreed with Fiji’s position and said the Council needed to pursue its rights vigorously against the actions of OFC.

Ricardo Blas (Guam) said OFC had caused problems over the Council’s membership going back to the 1999 South Pacific Games. OFC tried to dictate PGA entries back in 1999 and had tried to do it again in 2011. He commended the Chairman for intervening on Guam’s behalf in 2011, and said Guam would support the recommendation.

Lord Tevita Tupou (Tonga) said the OFC’s issue in 1999 was over eligibility and the Council allowing expatriates to compete. The argument in 2011 was over the issue of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands belonging to the Asian Football Confederation.

In concluding the discussions, the Chairman said OFC were attempting to split the Council’s members by requiring that Northern Pacific countries join the AFC. The Council would be taking this matter up with the IOC because the IOC defines the Oceania region for sport, not the OFC. All of the Council members should be able to join OFC if they so wished. The Council could not be held to ransom by an International Federation in this way, and it would send a bad message if the Council took no action.

The Chairman said that the sport of Football would still be on future Games programs. Papua New Guinea 2015, Vanuatu 2017, and both bids for 2019 all had Football on their sports programs. By passing the recommendation, the Council would simply be sending a message that OFC stop dictating to members of the Council on issues of affiliation.

The Chairman then put the recommendation to the vote, and with fourteen votes in favour, seven against, and one abstention, he declared the motion achieved two thirds support of the votes cast and was thus carried. He adjourned the meeting at 12.30pm and asked delegates to be back at 2.00pm for the Marketing Seminar and announced that the General Assembly would re-convene the next morning at 9.00am.

14

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

At 9.00am on Friday 19 October, the Chairman called the meeting to order.

The Chairman said it was remiss of him not to have already introduced Carl Probert to the meeting. He said Carl joined the Executive Board as the Athletes’ Representative following the 2011 Pacific Games. He had been elected by his fellow athletes competing in the Games, and would serve on the Executive through until the . The Chairman formally welcomed Carl Probert to the General Assembly.

Carl Probert thanked the Chairman and the delegates for their warm welcome and said he would be in contact with each PGA in the near future in order to work closely with their own Athletes’ Commissions to ensure that athlete views were taken into serious consideration by the Executive Board and the Council.

The Chairman then apologized to the meeting for his misreading of the Charter’s Article 29 in relation to the vote on the Football recommendation. He said that while there were fourteen votes for the recommendation against seven in opposition, which was two-thirds of the votes cast for or against the recommendation, the fact that there was one abstention meant that 22 valid votes were cast, and the majority required of fifteen votes had therefore not been reached and therefore the recommendation did not pass.

Michael White (Northern Mariana Islands) said that he had discussed the issue overnight with many delegates who had been confused by the discussions. He moved a motion to have the recommendation re-considered.

Lord Tevita Tupou (Tonga) said he disagreed with the motion to re-consider as the original motion clearly failed by one vote.

Sir John Dawanincura (Papua New Guinea) expressed his support for Tonga’s position.

Laurent Cassier (New Caledonia) agreed with the delegate from Northern Mariana Islands that there had been confusion over the original recommendation and he seconded the motion to have the recommendation re-considered.

Terry Sasser (Marshall Islands) said the original vote should stand, but he asked for more information on what dialogue had taken place between the Council and OFC on the issue of membership of northern Pacific countries.

The Executive Director replied that OFC had been invited to participate in the Sport Program Review, like all of the international Federations. He said as a way of clearing the impasse over membership, the Council had explored the possibility of OFC member, New Zealand, participating in the 2015 Pacific Games in order to restore the Football event’s status as a qualifying event.

15

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

In response, the OFC said that with AFC members participating in the Pacific Games, the event could only ever be a “friendly” tournament with a commensurate scaling back of OFC’s financial commitment to future Organising Committees.

The Executive Director also read out the following written response from OFC to the Council’s questioning the future membership prospects of northern Pacific countries:

“OFC and AFC (Asian Football Confederation) adopted an informal policy that countries residing in Micronesia are better served to be a member of the AFC. (because of distance from OFC and its members, better financial support and following on from Guam and Northern Marianas now in AFC. Therefore our recommendation is countries like Marshall Islands, Palau, Nauru, etc will be asked to join AFC. The exception being Kiribati whom is already an associate member of OFC.”

Lord Tevita Tupou (Tonga) thanked the Executive Director for the clarification, but urged the Executive Board to take the matter up directly with FIFA, bypassing the OFC. He recommended that dialogue continue on this matter, but again stressed that the original motion had failed and it was time to move on.

Tapasu Leung Wai (Samoa) said that after OFC withdrew FIFA qualification status from the 2011 Pacific Games, Samoa had no choice but to withdraw its Football teams from the Games because it could not afford to travel to Noumea and a separate qualifying event at a later stage. He said he continued to support the Executive Board’s recommendation.

Hugh Graham (Cook Islands) asked whether the General Assembly could re-consider a motion it had already voted on.

Michael White (Northern Mariana Islands) said nothing in the Charter prevented re- consideration of any matter by the General Assembly if two-thirds of the voting PGA delegates agreed.

Marcus Stephen (Nauru) agreed that some members may have been confused, and he did not want to impede the work of the Executive Board in adding value to the Pacific Games, but he could still not see how this issue of qualification status was relevant to Football’s position as a compulsory sport. He noted that other sports on the compulsory sports list were not currently used as qualifying events at the Pacific Games and so it appeared that Football was being singled out. There were many other ways to move the Football agenda forward including speaking directly with IOC and/or FIFA. He said in conclusion that he was not prepared to support re-consideration of the recommendation.

16

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

The Chairman said he too had been spoken to by a number of delegates overnight and there appeared to be confusion over the original recommendation, which he now hoped had been cleared up. He also referred to discussions he had had with FIFA and AFC executives several years before and they had referred all issues back to OFC as they had autonomy over Football matters in the Pacific region. He said the Council’s doors were not closed to the OFC but clearly this was a matter where the IOC had to be asked to assist because the current OFC leadership was not taking the Council’s interests into consideration.

The Chairman then said he would put the motion to re-consider the original recommendation to a vote and fifteen votes would be required for the recommendation to be re-considered. With fourteen votes in favour of the motion, the Chairman announced that the motion had failed.

Tauhiti Nena (Tahiti Nui) said that there was now an issue with the compulsory sports list as the General Assembly had approved thirteen compulsory sports, but with Football retaining its place, there were now fourteen compulsory sports.

The Chairman agreed and said the Executive Board had met overnight to discuss this situation. He asked the Executive Director to brief the meeting on further proposed amendments to the Charter to address this issue.

The Executive Director said that the Executive Board recommended three further amendments as a consequence of the decision regarding Football:

1. Deletion of the number “13” in Article 22.1 and to not put a number against the compulsory sports list;

2. Addition of the words “The balance of the programme” to the opening of the first sentence of Article 22.2 and delete the words “up to thirteen (13)” for the number of optional sports; and

3. Deletion of the word “Similarly” to the opening of the last sentence of Article 22.2 as Women’s Football would thus remain an optional sport.

The Executive Director informed the meeting that as these recommended amendments were not placed on the General Assembly notice paper at least ninety days prior to the meeting, then in accordance with Article 29.2 of the Constitution a two-thirds majority of the PGAs would be required to allow consideration of the two amendments.

The Chairman then put the Executive Board’s recommendations to the vote, and with all 22 PGAs in favour of the motion, it was declared carried.

17

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

Recommendation 11: Defer Decision on Pacific Youth Games until 2013 Meeting

Ricardo Blas (Guam) said the Council had debated this issue in Norfolk Island in 2001. He noted that the region already had the Australian Youth Olympic Festival which invited Pacific Islander participation. Most importantly, he said this issue required very close engagement with those countries which had not hosted the Pacific Mini Games.

Michael White (Northern Mariana Islands) said his PGA would certainly bid for the 2021 Pacific Mini Games, but would not bid if the event was converted to a Youth Games. He said the time had not yet come for a Youth Games.

Marcus Stephen (Nauru) said he could see advantages and disadvantages to converting the Mini Games to a Youth Games, but agreed that the proposal needed more time for study and consideration.

Anita Blas (Guam) said that a Youth Games was badly needed because young athletes did not currently have enough competition opportunities.

Tapasu Leung Wai (Samoa) said that the key issue was sustainability of the event, and that the best way forward was for governments to take the responsibility for funding the costs of youth participation in the Games. Governments in the region had already identified that sport was a vehicle for social change and the advancement of youth, and it was universally accepted that youth were the common future in all countries.

James Iroga (Solomon Islands) agreed that the youth were the future and should be supported with a Youth Games. However, the event should be hosted by countries which already had facilities in place to keep the expenses to a minimum and to eliminate the need for a bid process.

In summarizing, the Chairman said that he was disappointed that only seven PGAs had formally responded to the Council’s survey on this question immediately after the 2011 Pacific Games as part of the Sport Program Review. He said it was obvious that more time was needed to resolve this matter and urged all PGAs to take an active role in studying this matter over the coming year.

The Chairman said the Council would be seeking the advice of governments across the Pacific over the next twelve months, and he asked all PGAs to assist the Council with this process.

The Chairman then put the motion recommending deferral of a decision on a Pacific Youth Games until the 2013 meeting to the vote, and it was declared carried.

18

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

Recommendation 12: Opposition to Imposing Qualifications Standards, Tournaments

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendation, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 13: Compress Athlete Entries Deadline to 45 Days before Games (Article 25, Protocol 7)

With no questions, the Chairman put the Executive Board’s recommendation to the vote, and with 19 PGAs in favour of the motion, it was declared carried.

Recommendation 14: Spreadsheet of PGA Entries as Supplement (Protocol 7)

With no questions, the Chairman put the Executive Board’s recommendation to the vote, and with all 22 PGAs in favour of the motion, it was declared carried.

Recommendation 15: Team Sport Draws (Regulation 9D)

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendation, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 16: PGA Numerical Entries Deadlines and Withdrawal Penalties (Protocol 7)

Lorraine Mar (Fiji) asked whether the indicative PGA entries requirement at 21 months before the Games would be retained.

The Executive Director said this step would be retained, but that financial penalties were not levied on PGAs based on information provided at 21 months before the Games. The penalties were imposed for withdrawals after the Entry by Numbers requirements at twelve months and/or six months before the Games.

With no further questions, the Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendation, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 17: International Federation Nominations of Technical Officials (Protocol 16.1.c.3&4)

Sir John Dawanincura (Papua New Guinea) noted that the background papers explaining this recommendation referred to the Commonwealth Games Federation.

The Executive Director explained that the CGF had made the same change as recommended by the Executive Board, and had also reviewed its operation after the

19

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games. The CGF had resolved to continue the policy of seeking technical officials nominations directly from the International Federations.

With no further questions, the Chairman put the Executive Board’s recommendation to the vote, and with 19 PGAs in favour of the motion, it was declared carried.

Recommendation 18: Codify International Federation Delegate’s Responsibilities (Protocol 18)

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendation, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 19: Cricket - Retain Cricket as a Sport in Article 22.2

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendation, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 20: Badminton – Increase Individual PGA Entries from 4 to 6 (Regulation 6.3)

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendations, and with none forthcoming he declared both motions carried.

Recommendation 21: Bodybuilding - Recognise World Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Federation (Protocol 31); Oppose Inclusion of Junior Events

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendations, and with none forthcoming he declared both motions carried.

Recommendation 22: Boxing - Add Three Women’s Events (Regulation 5.6)

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendation, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 23: - Award Two Bronze Medals (Protocol 26.1.d); Oppose Inclusion of Junior Events

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendations, and with none forthcoming he declared both motions carried.

20

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

Recommendation 24: Shooting - Recognise ISSF for all Shooting Events (Protocol 31); Retain ISSF events in Regulation 5.14

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendations, and with none forthcoming he declared both motions carried.

Recommendation 25: Surfing - Increase PGA Entries (Regulation 6.17); Oppose the Inclusion of Stand-Up Paddling Events

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendations, and with none forthcoming he declared both motions carried.

Recommendation 26: - Oppose the Inclusion of Mixed Gender Relays

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendation, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 27: Table - Include four Para-sport events (Regulation 5.19)

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendation, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 28: Taekwondo – Award Two Bronze Medals (Protocol 26.1.d)

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendation, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

In concluding the business under agenda item 7a, the Chairman thanked the Executive Director and the Sport Committee for their presentation of the Sport Program Review, and also thanked the delegates for their deliberations and support for the recommendations.

Sir John Dawanincura (Papua New Guinea) expressed his thanks to the Sport Committee for their excellent work on the Sport Program Review.

B. Other Proposals

The Chairman asked the Executive Director to guide the discussions on this agenda item.

The Executive Director explained that in accordance with Article 29.2 of the Constitution, the distribution of the Executive Board’s recommendations occurred on 12 June 2012, giving PGAs at least 90 days to consider the recommendations. He also noted that hard copies were on hand to be referred to by participants in the meeting.

21

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

As occurred with the Sport Program Review recommendations, the Executive Director explained that with 22 PGAs in attendance, amendments to the Articles of the Constitution would require fifteen votes in favour to reach the necessary two-thirds majority. Amendments to the Protocols or Regulations would require a simple majority of twelve votes.

The Executive Director explained the Executive Board’s position on each of the following recommendations (as presented on the attached PowerPoint presentation) before inviting questions or comments from delegates:

Recommendation 1: Recognising PGA Autonomy (Article 3)

Michael White (Northern Mariana Islands) said his PGA would be a major beneficiary of this amendment and he thanked the Chairman for intervening in a problem his PGA had encountered with the local government earlier in the year. The Chairman’s intervention had protected the integrity of the PGA. He said he fully supported the recommendation.

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendation, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 2: Executive Board Composition – Deletion of Immediate Past President Position; Clarify Executive Director as non-voting Member (Article 14)

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendations, and with none forthcoming he declared both motions carried.

Recommendation 3: Letter of intent to Bid for Pacific Games (Protocol 1.3)

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendation, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 4: Deletion of Host Fees; Inclusion by Organising Committees of Executive Board Flight Costs (Protocols 1.3, 2.4, 2.7, 13)

Sir John Dawanincura (Papua New Guinea) said that with $900,000 in marketing revenues forming the Council’s income, Executive Board airfares should be paid from these revenues.

The Chairman asked if there was any other opposition to the recommendations, and with none forthcoming he declared both motions carried.

22

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

Recommendation 5: Organising Committee Formation; Audit & Governance Authority (Protocols 2.1, 2.2)

Ricardo Blas (Guam) asked whether the Host Government would be a signatory to the Host City Contracts.

The Chairman replied that they would be for the 2019 Host City Contract, and host governments had also been signatories to both the 2015 and 2017 Host City Contracts.

Sir John Dawanincura (Papua New Guinea) said he was concerned that with government having four seats on the Audit & Governance Authority, as against three seats for the host PGA, and one for the Council, the casting vote may rest with the Government.

Lord Tevita Tupou (Tonga) concurred and said that a four-four split in seat allocations would allow government to have an effective majority.

The Executive Director explained the intent behind the amendment was to avoid the four-three split of seats in favour of the host PGA/Council which had led to changes in Papua New Guinea for the 2015 Pacific Games. He said that as the major financial underwriter of the Games, the Papua New Guinea Government could not agree to this formula. Therefore, as a way forward, the Executive Board had agreed to the co-option of additional Government members to provide more balance. The Executive Director added that by providing both sets of stakeholders with four seats each, it would send a message to all parties to work collaboratively in delivering the Pacific Games.

Tapasu Leung Wai (Samoa) agreed with the recommendation. He pointed to problems the Samoa PGA encountered with the government when hosting the 2007 South Pacific Games. For the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games, a three-three allocation of seats on the Board had been put in place to force government and the Samoan CGA to resolve problems without resorting to majority voting. This system was working well and he advocated its adoption by the Council for future Pacific Games.

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendations, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 6: Changes to Games Accreditation (Protocol 13.8, Regulation 11)

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendations, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

23

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

Recommendation 7: Council Awards, Pacific Sports Awards (Regulation 21)

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendations, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 8: Proposal by Papua New Guinea to change to Rugby League Nines (Article 22.2, Regulation 7)

The Executive Director explained that the motion received from the Papua New Guinea PGA advocating a change from Rugby League Sevens to Nines had been circulated to all PGAs on 3 August 2012, seventy-five days prior to the meeting, in accordance with Article 29.3 of the Constitution. He said the proposal was endorsed by the Rugby League International Federation, and its members in the Pacific islands. The proposal also had the approval of both the Sport Committee and the Executive Board.

The Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendation, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 9: Proposal by Papua New Guinea for a five-a-side option for Hockey (Regulation 7)

The Executive Director explained that, as with Rugby League, the motion received from the Papua New Guinea PGA advocating an option for five-a-side Hockey to be added to Protocol 7 was communicated to all PGAs on 3 August 2012. He said the proposal was endorsed by the International Hockey Federation, and its Oceania affiliates. The proposal also had the approval of both the Sport Committee and the Executive Board.

Michael White (Northern Mariana Islands) asked whether an Organising Committee which chose Hockey as an optional sport would be obligated to offer both the five-a- side and the eleven-a-side format, or whether they would choose just one format.

The Chairman said the Organising Committee would choose one format or the other. He then asked if there was any opposition to the recommendation, and with none forthcoming he declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 10: Oceania Championships at the 2013 Pacific Mini Games

The Executive Director explained that under the powers conferred in Article 24.5, the Executive Board had resolved to allow the Oceania Sailing Federation Championships to be held in conjunction with the 2013 Pacific Mini Games. This had been communicated to PGAs on 31 May 2012, along with the decisions of the Executive Board under the powers conferred on it by Article 25.1.d.iii of the Constitution to utilise the prevailing International Federation eligibility criteria in the sports of Sailing, Weightlifting and Rugby Sevens at the 2013 Pacific Mini Games.

24

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

The Chairman explained that as with the decision taken at the 2011 General Assembly in the sport of Weightlifting, the recommendation to allow Sailing to conduct its Oceania Championships (involving Australian and New Zealander athletes) in conjunction with the 2013 Pacific Mini Games would add value to Games and assist the athletes of the Pacific islands with their international competitive pathways.

Before putting the recommendation to the General Assembly for ratification, the Chairman asked if there was any opposition to the recommendation. New Caledonia expressed its opposition by show of hands. With no further opposition forthcoming, the Chairman declared the motion carried.

Recommendation 11: Incorporation of the Pacific Games Council in Fiji

The Executive Director informed the meeting that the incorporation documents prepared by Munro Leys Lawyers in Suva - the draft Articles of Association and the draft Memorandum of Association - were circulated to all PGAs on 20 July, ninety days before the General Assembly in accordance with Article 29.2 of the Constitution.

The Executive Director explained that by incorporating the Council, each PGA would limit their legal liability as a member of the Council to the sum of Twenty Fiji Dollars. He further explained that should the incorporation proposal be approved by the General Assembly, each PGA would be required to sign the hard copies of the Articles of Association and the Memorandum of Association so that Munro Leys could complete the incorporation procedures.

Before inviting questions, the Executive Director informed the meeting that subsequent to the distribution of the Articles and Memorandum of Association, Munro Leys Lawyers had advised on two further amendments that would be required as a pre-condition to incorporation.

Firstly, the current two-thirds majority requirement under Article 29.1 and 29.5 to amend the Constitution would have to be increased to a three-quarters majority in order to comply with Fijian company law. Secondly, in order to preserve the Council’s tax-free status as a not for profit organisation, the following words would need to be inserted into Article 16.2.b of the Constitution:

“Provided always that no part of the income or other funds of the society or association be used or available to be used for the private pecuniary profit of any member”

The Chairman informed the meeting that as these two recommended amendments were not placed on the General Assembly notice paper at least ninety days prior to the meeting, then in accordance with Article 29.2 of the Constitution a two-thirds majority of the PGAs would be required to allow consideration of the two amendments.

25

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

Lord Tevita Tupou (Tonga) said it was his understanding that the limiting of each PGA’s liability in its capacity as a Council member to Twenty Fiji Dollars was quite separate to the legal liability of the PGA as an entity in its own country.

The Chairman concurred with this interpretation.

The Treasurer added that in its previous status as a registered society in New Caledonia, the Council and its members enjoyed no limitation of its potential legal liabilities. Incorporating the Council would allow members to enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that their legal liability was now limited.

With no further questions, the Chairman put the motion to allow consideration of the two amendments as described by the Executive Director. The motion carried unanimously.

The Chairman then put the motion to incorporate the Council in Fiji to a vote and the motion carried unanimously. He then invited the Secretary-General to distribute the Articles of Association and the Memorandum of Association for each PGA to sign.

In concluding the business under agenda item 7b, the Chairman thanked the Executive Director for guiding the meeting through all of the proposals, and he thanked the delegates for their deliberations and support for all of the recommendations which would enhance the Pacific Games event and its professional governance.

8. ORGANISING COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORTS

A. Cook Islands 2009 – Financial Report

The Cook Islands Minister for Sport, the Honorable Mark Brown presented the financial report of the (attached PowerPoint presentation refers). He said in summary that the accounts as presented were still subject to a final audit and at that point the Organising Committee would be wound up and its assets distributed to the PGA and its national federations.

Minister Brown thanked the Council for acknowledging the passing of former Cook Islands PGA President Sir Geoffrey Henry and passed on the greetings of Secretary- General Rosie Blake who was unable to attend the General Assembly.

The Chairman thanked Minister Brown for his presentation and expressed the Council’s appreciation for Cook Islands’ hosting of the 2009 Pacific Mini Games.

26

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

B. New Caledonia 2011 - Final Report

The New Caledonia 2011 Final Report was presented by PGA Treasurer Laurent Cassier and Executive Director Michel Quintin (attached PowerPoint presentation refers)

The Chairman thanked New Caledonia PGA for their presentation and for hosting an outstanding Pacific Games in 2011. He said the visit of President Sarkozy to open the Games gave the event tremendous international standing and exposure. He then presented special merit awards for N2011 President Pascale Bastien-Thiry and for New Caledonia’s Minister of Sport, Jean-Claude Briault, and asked the New Caledonia PGA to convey the Council’s deep gratitude to them on returning home.

C. Wallis and Futuna 2013

COWF2013 President Vahai Tuulaki provided a brief overview of the preparations for the 2013 Pacific Mini Games (refer attached PowerPoint presentation), explaining that delegates had already received a more fulsome overview at the Chefs de Mission meeting held the day prior.

The Chairman thanked President Tuulaki for his presentation and said he was looking forward to the venue tours to be held following the General Assembly. He expressed the Council’s gratitude for all of the preparations made thus far, and wished the COWF2013 team all the best in completing the mission in 2013.

D. Papua New Guinea 2015

Papua New Guinea 2015 presented an update on its planning for the 2015 Pacific Games via its PGA President, Sir John Dawanincura, Deputy Chairperson of the Venues Committee, Mel Donald, and PNG2015 CEO Peter Stewart (refer attached PowerPoint presentations).

The Chairman thanked Sir John Dawanincura and the PNG2015 team for their presentation and said that exciting times lay ahead as the Games preparations had begun to take real shape.

E. Vanuatu 2017

Joe Carlo, Vice President of the Vanuatu PGA, presented a progress report on behalf of the Organising Committee for the .

At its conclusion, the Chairman thanked Mr Carlo for his presentation and wished Vanuatu luck in putting its Organising Committee structures in place. He informed Vanuatu that the Council’s Executive Director was available to assist wherever required.

27

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

9. 2011/12 PACIFIC SPORTS AWARDS

The Chairman asked the Executive Director to present the names of the nominees in each of the categories (refer attached PowerPoint presentation). Each of the following winners (or their nominating PGAs) was presented with a trophy by the Chairman:

1. Outstanding Sports Administrator of the Year Rose Igitol (, Northern Mariana Islands)

2. Outstanding Coach of the Year Naomi Polum (Athletics, Papua New Guinea)

3. Outstanding Technical Official of the Year Christophe Bonbon (, New Caledonia)

4. Outstanding Junior Athlete of the Year Dylan Lavorel, New Caledonia)

5. Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year Lara Grangeon (Swimming, New Caledonia)

6. Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year Ryan Pini (Swimming, Papua New Guinea)

7. Outstanding Team of the Year Vanuatu Women’s Beach Volleyball Team

10. ELECTION OF PGC EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Chairman passed the chair to the Vice President to brief the meeting on the election of the President.

The Vice President noted that in accordance with Article 15.4.2 of the Constitution, there was only one nomination received for the position of President, and that Vidhya Lakhan (Fiji) was thus declared duly re-elected to the position of President of the Council. The General Assembly endorsed the declaration of the President’s re-election by acclamation and a round of applause.

The Chairman thanked the delegates for their continued support. He said the movement had progressed substantially since 2003 and that while a lot of work remained, real benefits were now flowing to PGAs from the policies which had been put in place by the Executive Board. With more hard work and renewed determination, further benefits to PGAs and the athletes would flow in the years ahead.

28

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

The Chairman then invited each of the candidates for the vacant position of Vice President to present their candidacies in a maximum three minute statement to the General Assembly delegates.

Following the candidate statements, the Chairman invited the Executive Director to explain the balloting procedures.

The Executive Director explained that in accordance with Article 15.4.3, PGAs had one vote each and were to vote for one candidate only. The Executive Board did not have the right to vote under changes made to the Charter at the 2010 General Assembly. In each ballot if there was no clear winner then the candidate with the lowest number of votes would be eliminated and another round of balloting would occur until one candidate reached a majority of twelve votes. He said the scrutineers for the vote would be PNG2015 CEO, Peter Stewart, and the COWF2013 CEO, Eddy Filipponi.

The first round of balloting was then conducted, after which the Chairman reported the following results:

Marcus Stephen (Nauru) Eight votes Sir John Dawanincura (Papua New Guinea) Five votes Michael White (Northern Mariana Islands) Five votes Tauhiti Nena (Tahiti Nui) Three votes Takitoa Taumoepeau (Tonga) Eliminated

The second round of balloting was then conducted, after which the Chairman reported the following results:

Marcus Stephen (Nauru) Nine votes Sir John Dawanincura (Papua New Guinea) Six votes Michael White (Northern Mariana Islands) Five votes Tauhiti Nena (Tahiti Nui) Eliminated

The third round of balloting was then conducted, after which the Chairman reported the following results:

Marcus Stephen (Nauru) Eight votes Sir John Dawanincura (Papua New Guinea) Eight votes Michael White (Northern Mariana Islands) Eliminated

The final round of balloting was then conducted, after which the Chairman reported that with a majority of thirteen votes to eight, Marcus Stephen of Nauru had been duly elected as the Council’s new Vice President. The Chairman congratulated Marcus Stephen on his election.

29

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

Marcus Stephen (Nauru) thanked the delegates for their support and said he was humbled by the outcome and honoured to join the Executive Board. He said he would work very hard to advance the Council’s interests over the next four years.

The Chairman then invited the two candidates for the Secretary-General’s position to briefly present their candidacies to the membership.

Following the candidate presentations, balloting was conducted and the Chairman announced that by a narrow margin of 12 votes to 10, the Secretary-General David Boyd from New Caledonia had been re-elected over Susan Perez from Tokelau.

The Chairman congratulated David Boyd on his re-election and thanked all of the unsuccessful candidates for placing themselves forward for election. He said the number of nominations received in 2012 highlighted the strength of the Council membership and the future prospects for the movement.

While voting was taking place, the Chairman announced that in accordance with Article 15.4.2, John Tierney (Cook Islands) was unopposed for the position of Treasurer and was therefore duly re-elected. The Chairman thanked the Treasurer for his continuing service to the Council and looked forward to working with him over the next four years.

The Chairman adjourned the General Assembly at 1.00pm for the lunch break.

11. 2019 PACIFIC GAMES – BID PRESENTATIONS

A. Tahiti Nui

The General Assembly reconvened at 2.00pm and the Chairman invited Tahiti Nui to present its candidacy, which was led by the Honourable Tauhiti Nena, Minister for Sport.

At its conclusion, the Chairman thanked Tahiti Nui for its presentation, and then asked the Executive Director to advise the meeting on the promised reduction of the per diem contained in the presentation.

The Executive Director noted that the Tahiti Nui bid document contained a per diem of $30 and that this had been revised in the bid presentation to $25 with the first 50 athletes free of charge. The meeting was advised that under Protocol 1.3, the bid process was very clear in that revised financial offers to PGAs were not permitted and that this had been communicated clearly to all parties: “ The Bid document shall contain all that the bidding PGA has to offer”. Therefore, any and all financial offers to PGAs had to be contained in the original bid document. Delegates were thus advised not to take the promised per diem reduction into consideration as it would not form part of the Host City Contract agreement to be signed at the conclusion of the bid process.

30

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

Charles Villierme (Tahiti Nui) said it was not the intention of the bid to not comply with the bid protocols. The bid commitment was for a per diem “not exceeding” $30 and the presentation was merely clarifying the amount. Notwithstanding this intention, he said the bid team would accept the Council’s interpretation of the Charter.

The Chairman affirmed that the original bid commitment for a $30 per diem would remain. Following this clarification, the Chairman invited questions from the delegates.

Tapasu Leung Wai (Samoa) said he was in a difficult position because Tahiti Nui had hosted the event before and already had many sporting facilities. He asked why Tahiti Nui needed the Games more than Tonga.

The Honourable Tauhiti Nena (Tahiti Nui) said he was once an athlete in the Pacific Games and that Tahiti Nui had always supported the Pacific Games. He said the New Caledonia 2011 Games budget was double the budget that Tahiti Nui had available for 2019, but with support from the Government of Tahiti Nui and the French Government, a Games of similar size to the 2011 Games with 2,700 athletes would be able to be delivered. He said Tahiti Nui already had the FIFA World Beach Soccer Cup to help prepare the country for a big event like the Pacific Games, and an enormous amount of work would be done to get airfare prices down by 30% to make participation more affordable.

Thierry Hars (Tahiti Nui) noted that the 2019 Pacific Games very important for the youth of the country. He said whilst there were facilities in place, more needed to be built for the growing youth population and the Pacific Games would make this happen.

Charles Villierme (Tahiti Nui) said that unlike Tonga, Tahiti Nui cannot go to the Olympic Games. The Pacific Games meant everything to Tahiti Nui and the country needed these Games for its young people.

Maru Talagi (Niue) asked whether it was possible for Tahiti Nui to withdraw their candidacy in favour of Tonga in the spirit of Polynesian brotherhood.

The Chairman ruled the question out of order as the decision on who would host the Pacific Games now rested with the General Assembly.

With no further questions, the Chairman once again thanked Tahiti Nui for their presentation and wished them luck.

B. Tonga

The Chairman then invited Tonga to present its candidacy, which was led by His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Ata, and the Honourable Minister for Sport Lord Vaea.

31

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

Following the presentation, the Chairman thanked Tonga for its presentation and then invited questions from the delegates.

Tapasu Leung Wai (Samoa) said the biggest challenge was not hosting the Pacific Games, but how to manage the facilities after the Games had finished. He asked what Tonga’s plans were for maintaining and utilising their facilities in the post-2019 future.

Lord Tevita Tupou (Tonga) said the venues would be under the control of a government authority and they would look to hosting other international sporting events after 2019. He said local church and school groups would also be encouraged to use the facilities so that the whole country would benefit from hosting the Pacific Games.

Marcus Stephen (Nauru) said he did not have a question but wanted to thank both PGAs for the strength of their bids.

With no further questions, the Chairman once again thanked Tonga for their presentation and wished them luck.

12. 2019 PACIFIC GAMES - ELECTION OF HOST PGA

Following the completion of bid presentations, the Chairman asked the Executive Director to brief the meeting on the election process for the selection of the host PGA for the 2019 Pacific Games.

The Executive Director explained that under the provisions of the Charter, each PGA had one vote, and that the Executive Board no longer had the power to vote under changes made at the 2010 General Assembly. Twelve votes were therefore required to obtain a majority. PGAs were asked to clearly mark their preference for one candidate on the ballot paper. Once again, the scrutineers for the vote would be PNG2015 CEO, Peter Stewart, and the COWF2013 CEO, Eddy Filipponi.

Following the completion of balloting, the Chairman announced that by a margin of sixteen votes to six, the 2019 Pacific Games would be hosted by Tonga.

The Chairman offered commiseration to Tahiti Nui and thanked them for their commitment to staging the Pacific Games and to the bidding process. He then congratulated Tonga on their victory and called upon the Tonga PGA President and the Tonga Minister for Internal Affairs and Sport to join him to sign the Host City Contract, which was then duly signed and executed by each of three parties.

Lord Tevita Tupou (Tonga) expressed immeasurable joy at winning the bid and thanked the General Assembly for placing their faith in Tonga. He offered his commiserations to Tahiti Nui.

32

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

13. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS

The Chairman invited the Executive Director to distribute medals from the 2011 Pacific Games to PGAs whose athletes’ placings were affected by the disqualification of eight athletes due to breaches of the WADA Anti-Doping Code.

The Executive Director announced the following revised medallists and invited their PGA representatives to receive the medals:

Bodybuilding – Men’s 90KG, gold medal for C. Brown (Samoa), silver medal for S. Fatai (Tonga), and bronze medal for D. Tom Dan (Solomon Islands).

Bodybuilding – Men’s 85KG, gold medal for S. Bruneau (Tahiti), silver medal for F. Laulusa (Samoa), and bronze medal for A. Enoka (Cook islands).

Bodybuilding – Men’s 80KG, gold medal for I. Ligaliga (Samoa), silver medal for P. Carnicelli (New Caledonia), and bronze medal for W. Kurua (Papua New Guinea).

Bodybuilding – Men’s 65KG, gold medal for I. Brando (Guam), silver medal for I. Finch (Papua New Guinea), and bronze medal for E. Keniroko (Solomon Islands).

Boxing +91KG – gold medal for J. Tuisamoa (New Caledonia).

Powerlifting 84KG Women – gold medal for E. Ikanidrodro (Fiji), silver medal for F. Fuamatu (Samoa), and bronze medal for A. Garnett (Fiji).

Surfing Open Long board - gold medal for R. Darkis (New Caledonia), silver medal for I. Muller (Fiji), bronze medal for T. Mange (Papua New Guinea).

Taekwondo 57KG Women – gold medal for L. Folcher (New Caledonia).

The Chairman then invited delegates to offer any other items of additional business.

Ricardo Blas (Guam) congratulated Tonga on its victory and commented positively on the work the Council had undertaken since 2003. He said he had some doubts at the time as to the new direction being pursued, but that the current Executive Board were performing very well and expanding the organisation and the strength of the Pacific Games movement. He then led the General Assembly in a round of applause for the work of the Executive Board.

Dennis Sterling (Norfolk Island) paid tribute to outgoing vice President James Tobin and said he had performed his role with distinction. He said it was up to all PGAs to work hard to ensure that anti-doping programs were in place. He asked the Council to advise

33

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna him at some stage as to how extensive the doping control program was at the 2011 Games.

Lord Tevita Tupou (Tonga) said that the Commonwealth Games Federation had just reviewed its structures through an external consultancy, and advised the Executive Board to examine it for ideas which could be applied to the Pacific Games.

Michael White (Northern Mariana Islands) extended his thanks to the hosts in Wallis and Futuna for their outstanding hospitality.

14. NEXT MEETING AND CONCLUSION

There being no other additional business, the Chairman invited the President of the Wallis and Futuna Territorial Assembly, H.E. Vetelino Nau, to make a farewell address.

President Nau thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to farewell the delegates. He congratulated the Chairman on his re-election and Tonga for its victory in winning the right to host the 2019 Pacific Games. He thanked the Council members for helping to advise the COWF2013 team and wished all delegates a safe trip home and he looked forward to welcoming everybody back to Wallis and Futuna in 2013.

The Chairman thanked President Nau for all of the arrangements in making the Territorial Assembly building the Council’s home for the week and for the recognition this provided to the Council. He then called upon the Prefet, H.E. Michel Jean-Jean to make his farewell address.

The Prefet also extended his congratulations to Tonga on its victory and wished them the best in their preparations for hosting the 2019 Pacific Games. He congratulated the Council on its work program during the General Assembly and wished the newly elected Executive Board the best of luck for the remainder of their tenure. He reiterated that Wallis and Futuna would work hard to be ready for the 2013 Pacific Mini Games and he looked forward to welcoming the delegates and their athletes back to the territory next year, not just for the Games but for the Sports Ministers Meeting and the Council’s General Assembly as well. He wished all delegates a safe trip home.

The Chairman thanked the Prefet for his remarks and described him as a good friend of the Council. He said that the French Government’s support for the 2013 Pacific Mini Games was held in very high esteem by the Council.

In closing, the Chairman extended his thanks to the Government and people of Wallis and Futuna, the CTOS-WF and the COWF2013 for all of the arrangements behind such a successful General Assembly. The Council members had enjoyed excellent hospitality and had felt very safe and at home on Wallis Island.

34

Draft Minutes of the Pacific Games Council General Assembly: 18-19 October 2012 Territorial Assembly, Mata-Utu, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna

The Chairman thanked all of the PGA delegates for their attention and participation in the important debates that took place during the meeting. As always, the Council was moving in the right direction supported by the majority view of the Council membership. He said he was confident the decisions taken during the meeting would add value to the Pacific Games and thus strengthen the movement. He also thanked the membership for putting their trust in the Executive team for a further four years, and that this trust would not be misplaced.

The Chairman thanked the Executive Board and the Executive Director for all of their work and guidance in preparation for the General Assembly and in the future work program of the Council. He paid special tribute to outgoing Vice President James Tobin for his excellent work over many years on developing the sport program. He also thanked Mel Donald for her valuable contribution after being co-opted onto the Executive Board in 2010. He thanked the interpreters for their patience and hard work in making sure the participants understood the proceedings. They had done a fine job.

The Chairman wished all delegations a safe trip home and he looked forward to welcoming the delegates and their athletes to Wallis and Futuna in 2013.

The Chairman advised that the next meeting would be held on Sunday 8 September during the 2013 Pacific Mini Games, and declared the meeting closed at 5.00pm.

35