national olympic committees 2011 annual report

Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands MINOC President Kenneth Kramer, valuable time of exchanging information the Executive Board and our National and evaluating our current management Federations would like to express our structure, and the findings of their sincere thanks to ONOC Offices and visit were positive and constructive. staff in both and , especially We are moving forward per their President Dr. Robin Mitchell, Secretary recommendations. National Olympic Committee General Rick Blas and Dennis Miller for their direction and support. We thank In December, ORADO expert Doping Olympic Solidarity’s Pere Miro and Nicole Control Officer Natanya Potoi conducted Girard-Savoy and staff for their ongoing a capacity-building workshop in guidance. Marshall Islands to train two Doping Control Officers and three Chaperones MINOC’s focus in 2011 was the in proper sample collection, storage continued organization of its National and shipping for WADA’s Drug Testing Federations with an emphasis on Program (Out-of-Competition). Five youth and junior sports programs. We athletes were randomly selected for know that programs that focus on the out-of-competition testing from a pool of development of young athletes will RMI’s most competitive athletes who are establish a solid foundation upon which those most likely to travel to regional and to build active national federations to international competitions where doping identify and support competitive athletes. might be an issue. Although our NOCs follow a quadrennial calendar, an elite athlete must be ATHLETES’ COMMISSION identified at a young age and nurtured The development of the Marshall Islands through much time, dedication and Athletes’ Commission was a challenge targeted resources to reach a successful brought forth by Barbara Kendall at a level of regional and international previous ONOC General Assembly and competition. In addition to the continued encouraged at each subsequent meeting. support of our national federations and MINOC President Kenneth Kramer has athletes, development of an effective and made this a priority, as its aim is to sustainable talent identification program support the very reason the Olympic will be a primary objective for 2012. Movement exists: the athletes. President Kramer is the MINOC Executive Board Dennis Miller of ONOC and Nicole member spearheading this effort with Girard-Savoy of Olympic Solidarity visited Marshall Islands Weightlifting Federation Marshall Islands in April for MINOC’s Secretary General and athlete Mack Management Audit. During their stay Capelle who is president of the Marshall they met with MINOC President Kenneth Islands Athletes’ Commission. We are Kramer, Secretary General Terry Sasser, working to complete the ONOC Athletes MINOC office staff and Executive Board, Commission Toolkit provided by Ms. National Federation heads, as well as Kendall and look forward to hosting her a luncheon with President Zedkaia and visit to Marshall Islands after the London several Government Ministers. It was a .

81 oceania national olympic committees 2011 annual report

The theme and outcomes of the Festival focused on empowering youth in RMI and included workshops addressing healthy lifestyles, HIV prevention, substance abuse, the development of a community sports infrastructure, sport and environment and promotion of Olympic values among others. MINOC presented about HIV awareness and prevention, our Sport and Environment campaign, Marshall Islands Sport Education Program (MISEP) and a brief overview of RMI’s participation in the Olympic Games and Olympic values. In the afternoons, evenings and all day Friday and Saturday, delegates competed in sporting events.

Sport activities were funded by Olympic Solidarity’s Sport for All program and organized and implemented by MISEP. MARSHALL ISLANDS SPORT completed the translation of all OSEP Other sponsors included United National EDUCATION PROGRAM Sport in Communities Administrator Population Fund (UNFPA), AusAID Marshall Islands Sport Education and Community Coach/Official course Small Grants Scheme (SGS), New Program (MISEP), RMI’s extension materials into Marshallese for effective Zealand Official Development Assistance of Oceania Sport Education Program use at the local grassroots level. College (NZODA) Head of Mission Fund (HOMF), (OSEP), is an on-going program for of Marshall Islands (CMI) students and Department of Health training community presenters to train staff actively participated in the MISEP and Human Services, and other local coaches and officials at the grass roots workshop and there are currently donors. It was determined that the sport level. Having successfully completed the discussions about the possibility of tournaments would include , Managing Olympic Sport Organizations offering MISEP courses in an on-line (promoting FIBA’s 3-on-3 (MOSO) course in 2011, Amy Sasser has distance-learning format for outer- initiative), athletics and , as well taken the lead in MISEP administration island participants. MINOC has already as traditional cultural sporting activities. and implementation under the title of scheduled a MISEP refresher course with MINOC/ MISEP volunteers delivered Sport Education Development Officer. the addition of the STOP HIV modules instructional coaching and administration with ONOC’s Margaret Eastgate for July for fun, active, and enjoyable outlet after OSEP Director Sainimili Lavenia Talatoka 2012. long days of conferences and meetings. visited in May for the roll out of Administrating the Youth Festival sporting MINOC’s MISEP Program. The broad SPORT FOR ALL tournaments provided valuable learning objective of this Training Program The 1st RMI National Youth Festival, opportunities for the MISEP Team was to introduce beginner community which took place July, 30 through August and required them to work together to sports administrators, coaches and 6, 2011, provided workshops and sport improvise solutions to challenges. officials in RMI to various facets of competition for 170 outer-island youth community-based club and league and another 150 youth from the outskirts SPORT AND ENVIRONMENT based sports administration and to of Majuro Atoll who would rarely have a MINOC’s Sport and Environment develop competencies in the areas of chance to participate in such events in Program was honored as one of the top forming a club and planning to manage the Marshall Islands. five Sport and Environment projects by a small sporting event. MINOC has the International Olympic Committee

82 oceania national olympic committees 2011 annual report

during the World Conference on Sport workshop, completing the Community and the Environment in . Our Coach/Official Training and the Sport winning project, a multimedia outreach in Communities Administrator course. campaign focused on the effects of Carlon Zedkaia attended the IAAF climate change on our marine and Congress in Korea in August. MIAF, in coral reef environment, continues partnership with the School Enrichment throughout Marshall Islands schools Program, held a summer program in the and communities. MINOC would like village of Delap where coaches taught to express its gratitude to Olympic primary school children the basics of the Solidarity for this recognition and, equally RUN, JUMP & THROW curriculum using important, the opportunity to present the Kids Athletic Kit. Approximately 50 during the forum in Qatar. MINOC is children participated on a daily basis partnering with The Reporters’ Academy for the three-month project. MIAF also and British High Commission to organize participated in MINOC’s Doping Control outreaches by Marshallese athletes Officer and Chaperone training workshop attending Pre-Games Training Camps with Oceania Regional Anti-Doping to UK schools preceding the London Organization’s Natanya Potoi. Games. BASKETBALL NATIONAL FEDERATION REPORTS Marshall Islands Basketball Federation ARCHERY MINOC to identify and develop an (MIBF) continues to develop coaches and MINOC sees the value of developing Olympic Solidarity World Program grant athletes, with an emphasis on juniors this individual sports. Marshall Islands to assist in this effort. year. As in previous years, MIBF is very Archery Confederation (MIAC) is currently involved in the community. recognized by MINOC as a non-voting MIAF’s spring season started in April and provisional member until it has developed ended with the finals, which coincided MIBF, FIBA Oceania and MINOC national competition and is part of RMI with RMI’s National Games in May. The contracted Mouj Lewi as the first National National Games program. Archery winter season started in November and Basketball Development Officer for has been added to 2012 RMI National ended in the first week of December. An MIBF. Mouj’s first assignment was Games program, and was also recently average of 150 athletes participated in participation in MISEP Train the Trainer adopted into the both spring and winter seasons. MIAF Workshop, completing the Community sports competition. MIAC is working sponsored the annual World Athletic Day Coach/Official Training and the Sport closely with MINOC and Oceania during the month of May, in which over in Communities Administrator courses. Archery Confederation to schedule a 150 athletes competed. Basketball was targeted as one of the development visit in 2012. priority sports for focus by MISEP. To MIAF sent four athletes to participate provide a clear picture of basketball’s ATHLETICS at the annual Oceania Championships, status in MINOC’s development Marshall Islands Athletics Federation’s which was held in in June. structure, MIBF completed the Readiness (MIAF) main focus in 2011/2012 was the Olympian Roman Cress took a Silver Assessment Tool (RAT), which targeted development of a talent identification Medal in the 100m with a time of 11.10 several areas for further development and program. This was initiated through the seconds, Boboy Digno won the Silver highlighted existing strengths. use of social media (i.e. Facebook and medal in the Javelin throw and Roman Bebo sites) to find Marshallese athletes Cress won the Gold medal in the 200m. Mouj led MIBF school clinics through a living both in RMI and abroad and to James Chutaro represented the Marshall pilot project with two public elementary bring awareness and draw interest to Islands in the 100m at the World Youth schools in Majuro. He also helped MIAF’s programs. MIAF is working Championships in . Olympian organize ongoing 3-on-3 tournaments closely with Haley Nemra participated at the Pacific following FIBA-promoted 3-on-3 Games in New Caledonia. She qualified guidelines and rules. for the finals in the 800m but had to scratch due to injury. MIBF, with support from MINOC and the Bank of Marshall Islands, and to further Secretary General Barbara Fisher their stated objective of conducting and Eunice Borero attended the IAAF outreaches to atolls outside of the capitol Information Technology Seminar held of Majuro, sent the 2010 champion men’s in in February. In May, MIAF team from the Ralik Ratak Shootout coaches Jomina Lawin and Birney Ishoda Basketball Tournament to Kwajalein Atoll completed the IAAF Athletics at School to lead clinics with local schools/teams, Course held in Fiji. Six MIAF coaches and to scrimmage with Kwajalein-based participated in the MISEP train the trainer teams during the annual Kwajalein Day festivities in early February.

83 oceania national olympic committees 2011 annual report

FIBA Oceania ZDO Ryan Burns /SOFTBALL visited Kwajalein Atoll in April. In Softball is fast becoming the most The Marshall Islands Swim Federation coordination with the Kwajalein Atoll popular team sport. The Marshall Islands (MISF) continues to focus its efforts on Local Government, he led clinics for Baseball/Softball Federation (MIBSF) youth and junior athletes. MISF started its five schools (involving 270 students President Jeimata Kabua’s strategy for new swim season with 5 new swimmers, and coaches), visited remote Santo the growth of softball was to empower adding on to the team of 18 for a total Island to conduct a clinic, conducted an the communities by hosting community of 23 swimmers. Half of the team is assessment of basketball courts on the workshops to support coaches and composed of female swimmers, the most atoll, and helped to boost development referees. females MISF has ever had on the team. of the sport and the partnership among MISF began its spring swim season MIBF, FIBA Oceania and the Kwajalein in February with regular swim meets Atoll Local Government. and concluded it with a championship meet and awards banquet in April. The MIBF’s commitment to develop junior fall season was September through programs and leagues paid great November. These swim seasons are dividends when Marshall Islands won key in providing local competition and the championship of the first 15-and- identifying swim talent. Under Basketball Tournament (East Division) held in in July, MINOC Secretary General Terry Sasser following tryouts, selection of a national MINOC places importance on team traveled to meet with Kwajalein-based team and organizing the training sports like baseball and softball because (on a different atoll from MINOC program. A subsequent activity, in they are ideal forums to identify athletes headquarters) MISF Executive Board cooperation with local substance abuse who will find success in other sport in June. On the agenda were updating prevention organization, Marshalls disciplines. In fact, our current youth MISF’s by-laws, constitution and Prevention Group, was a “healthy weightlifting standout and 2014 YOG Executive Board job descriptions and behavior” poster featuring the 15- hopeful, Peter Enoch, was identified planning for the 2011 , and-Under Micronesia Basketball through a little league tournament. 2012 Olympic Games, 2013 Australia Tournament’s most valuable player, Kyle Olympic Youth Festival and 2014 Youth Paul. MIBSF has established a beneficial Olympic Games. relationship with a US-based A Missouri, USA-based organization organization, which has provided pallets A team of eight swimmers represented “Soul to Sole” provided shoe donations of donated little league equipment on an RMI at the Swimming to various schools and community ongoing basis. event held in Darwin, Australia in May. groups as part of a collaborative effort Swimming hosted a with MIBF. Multi-age swim meet, offering Pool and Open Water events. Fifteen-year-old Marshall Islands basketball referee Ann-Marie Hepler won bronze in the 50m Sailass Kotton continues be a standout freestyle at the Arafura Games. and was select to officiate the gold medal men’s game at the Pacific Games Giordan Harris, Ann-Marie Hepler and in Noumea. Sailass also participated in Daniel Langinbelik competed in both the MISEP workshop. the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai, in August and the Pacific Games in New Caledonia in September. At the Pacific Games, Ann-Marie Hepler qualified for the final in the 50-meter butterfly; she swam

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a great race, finishing with a personal anticipate a stronger year in 2012 with in the final in a 3-0 match with the current best of 30.65 but missing the tie for the greater accomplishments. A component World University Games Gold Medalist, Bronze medal by .01 seconds. Overall, of the coarse follow-up has been the Australia’s Safwan Khalil. MITKDF has she swam in 7 events and qualified organization and officiating of on-going submitted an application for Jason to for finals in 4 of those events. Giordan community tournaments and leagues. receive a tripartite position to compete in Harris swam in 5 events and qualified the London Olympic Games. for 4 finals. Daniel Langinbelik swam The MINOC Executive Board designated in 5 events and qualified for finals in 2. training for coaching and officials as a top VOLLEYBALL Langinbelik achieved personal bests in priority. MINOC applied for and received Volleyball continues to enjoy great all events he swam. Although MISF did one of two equipment popularity amongst Marshallese not medal at the Pacific Games, it was a grant given to the Oceania region in youth, especially women. Year around great experience for the youth and junior 2011. As a result, Korean-based table community leagues hosted by community swimmers, who achieved 13 personal tennis equipment manufacturer, XIOM, clubs is a growing trend and continues to bests and showed progress and future provided 6 championship tables and all strengthen the sport nationally. Marshall talent to compete with neighboring accessories. After the workshop, these Islands Volleyball Federation (MIVF) Pacific countries. were distributed to clubs throughout supports these community leagues with Majuro and Ebeye. technical workshops, building capacity TABLE TENNIS for coaches and officials. Marshall Islands Table Tennis Federation’s RMI’s recently elected President, H.E. (MITTF) season is March through May, Christopher Loeak, is a long-standing Volleyball was the second sport with championship tournaments held member of MITTF and continues to be targeted, through use of the Readiness during the RMI National Games in May. very involved in and a great advocate of Assessment Tool (RAT), as a sport on table tennis in the Marshall Islands. He which MISEP participants to work. As Oceania Table Tennis Development has a table tennis facility on his personal part of their practical follow-up work, Officer Scott Houston property and has placed great emphasis MISEP teamed up with MIVF to kick off a on junior level development. Youth Volleyball Tournament that brought together rural communities targeting girls Sadly, MITTF lost a great friend and in the 8-9 yrs. and 10-11 yrs. age groups. advocate this year with the passing of The tournament was modeled after the former MITTF President and Marshall FIVB’s Cool Volley program and used Islands Paralympic Committee co- FIVB Cool Volley rules and regulations founder and spokesperson Luon Erakdrik. with slight modifications to suit the target age groups. The tournament was TAEKWONDO very successful, turning out well over Marshall Islands Taekwondo Federation 100 participants. The 1st through 3rd (MITKDF) sent Olympic hopeful Jason place winners in each age category won Sam to Hawaii in early 2011 where he their own Cool Volley net, standards continues to train with 2009 USOC and volleyball to continue community Volunteer Coach of the Year Brian leagues in their neighborhoods. The McCutcheon. After last year’s training on-going community leagues have been opportunity at the National Sport overwhelmingly successful and are University in , Jason expected to have a major impact on the took the silver medal in the under 58kg sport of volleyball. The purpose of the category at 2011 Taekwondo Oceania Cool Volley tournament and subsequent Championship in New Caledonia, losing league for young children is to teach volleyball in a fun, competitive and conducted an International Table Tennis motivating atmosphere while helping to Federation and (ITTF- develop a number of characteristics in PTT) Level 1 Coaching Course in October. children such as motivation for learning The course had a total of 39 participants, and the rewards and successes of hard including representatives from MITTF, work and determination. The idea of MISEP, College of Marshall Islands, the developing sports at a young age is Government’s Division of Sports and based on a concept from FIVB's Cool Recreation, and several community Volley program, which allows children to clubs. Eleven participants were certified learn the sport and build sportsmanship as Level 1 coaches. The Level 1 Course and character through playing. provided the groundwork necessary to help table tennis in the Marshall Islands move to a higher level and we

85 oceania national olympic committees 2011 annual report

MIVF’s Inter Scholastic Volleyball League emphasis on youth and junior programs. to attending what for many of them will was very successful and included teams He lobbied for the opening of several new be their first competition at the 2012 of middle and high school girls, totaling facilities in strategic communities for the Oceania Championships in Samoa. 336 participants and 56 coaches. purpose of national competition. MIWLF Secretary General Mack Capelle MIVF’s National Tournament coincides One of the new facilities is located on the continues to train the senior men's with RMI National Games and the nation- high school/elementary school campus team and is developing cross training wide celebration of Marshall Islands of rural community, Laura Village. The programs for other national federations Constitution Day on May 1st. The 2011 gym is one of the most popular places to utilize the new gyms and realize the tournament hosted 700 athletes and among the youth of the village because, benefits of cross training. Mack was also coaches from throughout the nation, through the louvered windows, they can nominated to head the newly established which comprised middle and high school hear the music, see the camaraderie and Marshall Islands Athletes' Commission. girls teams, women’s and men’s teams. feel the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a team. The junior As the popularity of weightlifting grows, To improve overall management and weightlifting program, which is based MIWLF finds itself with the good problem volleyball structure, MIVF President Iso out of Laura, has about 50 members, of of having more athletes than coaches Langbata attended the AVC Management which at least half are female. The junior and officials to support them. MIWLF Course (Categories I and II) and General weightlifting team has taken on the role has prioritized training for coaches and Assembly, a first class event hosted by of Sport and Environment ambassadors officials in 2012, and is working closely Chinese Taipei. disseminating MINOC’s reef conservation with MINOC to apply for an Olympic outreach campaign. Solidarity Development of a National WEIGHTLIFTING Sport Structure grant for weightlifting. Marshall Islands Weightlifting Federation Weightlifting will hold its national MIWLF is currently corresponding (MIWLF) has seen dramatic growth this competition during the RMI National with Oceania Weightlifting about the year. Since the return of Youth Games in May. They are already looking possibilities of hosting a regional Olympic Games participants, MIWLF ahead to qualify lifters for the Australian competition in RMI. President and MINOC Executive Board Olympic Youth Festival and the next member Tony Muller has placed great YOG in China, as well as training hard

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