#OAchamps17 Oceania Athletics Area Championships 2017 Suva, Fiji 28th June – 1 July TEAM MANUAL 1 #OAchamps17 Contents 1. Welcome Messages Page 3/4 2. General Information Page 59 3. Competition and Technical Information Page 10/20 4. Venue Page 20 5. Accommodation Page 23/28 6. Opening and Closing Ceremonies Page 29 7. Schedule of Events Page 29 8. Athletes’ Activities and Seminars Page 30 9. Coach Seminars Page 31 10. Olympic Day Fun Run Page 31/32 11. Medical Procedures Page 33 12. Competing Federations Page 34 13. Athletes by Team Page 35/47 14. Competition Timetable Page 48/52 15. Technical Officials Page 53/54 16. Previous Editions of Championships Page 54 17. Contact Numbers Page 55 2 #OAchamps17 Welcome President, Oceania Athletics Association Greetings from Suva and a warm welcome to the Athletes, Officials, Team Managers and many other friends of Oceania Athletics Association. It is with much pleasure that we welcome you to Suva, Fiji. There is no doubt that these Championships are sure to bring plenty of excitement to Suva. This is the first time the Oceania Championships have been in Fiji, since the first edition, way back in 1990. This is by far and away Oceania’s biggest Area Championships, with over 600 athletes, from 22 Member Federations participating. We welcome our Sponsors of the Championships, without such support, these Championships wouldn’t be possible. The Local Organising Committee for these Championships has worked tirelessly to ensure the Championships are brought to fruition and are a huge success - we take this opportunity to thank each of the Members of the Local Organising Committee for their commitment. To each of our Team Athletes, Team Managers and Coaches we congratulate you on your selection to the 2017 Oceania Championships. We invite all athletes, team officials and technical officials to take this opportunity to enjoy Fiji and all it offers. We thank you for you continued commitment to Athletics in the Pacific – we look forward to meeting with you in Fiji and sharing some wonderful memories. Geoff Gardner President, Oceania Athletics Association 3 #OAchamps17 Welcome President, Athletics Fiji Bula On behalf of Athletics Fiji we would like to welcome you to Suva for the 2017 Oceania Athletics Area Championships. Last year we enjoyed a successful Melanesian Championships in Suva and this year we are looking forward to hosting the latest edition of the Area Championships. It is quite an event for Fiji given that the first ever Oceania Area Championships were held here in 1990, at the very same track in which I was one of the athletes competing for Fiji. We are delighted to see some of our Athletes from 1990 back here in 2017 competing and taking on management, coaching and technical official roles. Athletics is at the heart of most Fijians and to have an event of this magnitude here in Suva is testament to our desire to continue to make Athletics the number one individual sport in Fiji. We are very grateful to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Oceania Athletics (OAA) and the International Athletics Foundation (IAF) for their continued support in our region. This year Athletics Fiji was awarded an IAF Grant which has allowed us to bring Pole Vault back to Fiji – the first time since the South Pacific Games in 2003, we offer our warmest thanks to the IAF for supporting our Grant Application. The continued support of the IAAF through the Oceania Area Association enables all Member Federations to compete at the Area Championships and to continue developing our sport in- country, thus continuing to make us the Number 1 Olympic Sport. We take this opportunity to congratulate all athletes on their selection to compete at these Championships, we trust that the competition is all that you expect and that your performances result in personal bests, national records and for some of you the elusive medals. Thank you to our sponsors, Shop and Save, Fiji Sports Commission and the Fiji Sports Council for their continued support. Joe Rodan President, Athletics Fiji 4 #OAchamps17 General Information SUVA, FIJI Fiji is located in the South Pacific, 3000 km (1875 miles) east of Australia and about 1930 km (1200 miles) south of the Equator. It comprises 322 islands. The two largest are the extinct volcanoes of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. There is much of scenic and historic worth in Fiji, including its sugar cane and cocoa plantations. The capital, Suva, has many old shops and markets selling artefacts and handicrafts. Places of interest include the National Museum, situated in the lush surrounds of Thurston Gardens, and the old Parliament Buildings. Fiji laws require everyone arriving from overseas to declare all biosecurity risk goods including food, plant, plant products, used material and animal products to biosecurity officers at its borders. When arriving in Fiji you will be given a passenger arrival card. This is a legal document and required by law. It is important that you read and fill out this card carefully and truthfully. You must also state on this card any items that need to be declared. Airports Fiji has two international airports - Nadi, the principal gateway and Nausori near Suva the capital of Fiji. Nausori International Airport (Suva Airport) Approximate driving time is 30 minutes from the Athletes’ Village. Nadi International Airport Approximate driving time is 4 hours from the Athletes’ Village. Cash and Credit Cards Cash is generally used in smaller stores around Fiji. Larger shops, hotels and restaurants will accept most credit cards. Before purchasing, enquire with staff if your card will be accepted. Climate Fiji enjoys a mild tropical climate averaging 31 degrees Celsius during the summer months of November to April and 29 degrees Celsius during the winter months of May to October. Communication Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 679. Outgoing code: 00. Mobile outlets (Digicel and Vodafone) are located at Nadi and Suva Airport international arrivals. You can purchase a prepaid SIM card for local and international calls and internet data. Internet Wi-Fi hotspots are available at Nadi and Nausori Airports. Access is via credit card payment. 5 #OAchamps17 Currency Fiji Dollar (FJD). Banks include ANZ, Bank of Baroda, Bank of South Pacific, BRED and Westpac. Open weekdays from 9.00am to 3.00pm, closed weekends. Selected branches open Saturdays. The bank at Nadi Airport arrivals terminal is open for all flights for foreign exchange, all other activities are restricted to normal banking hours. Currency is available in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50. Coins: 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c $1 and $2. For those travelling into Suva, there are Money Exchange and Banks located in downtown Suva, as well as Damodar City. Money Exchange Western Union Money Exchange, BSP and Westpac are available at Sports City and Damodar City Shopping Centres located 5 minutes’ walk from ANZ Stadium and the Championship Village. Dress Dress is casual and informal throughout the islands. Light tropical attire such as short sleeve shirts, summer dresses, T-shirts, shorts and slacks for evenings. The wraparound sulu (sarong) is Fiji’s most distinctive form of dress. Modest dress is advised in towns and villages in respect of culture. Electricity The electrical current in Fiji is 240 volts. Fiji has three pin power outlets identical to Australia and New Zealand. Emergency Numbers Police: 917 Fire and Ambulance: 911 Health Yellow fever and cholera vaccinations are only required if coming from an infected area as designated by the World Health Organisation. Hospitals are located in the major centres and there are health centres in rural areas. Water is generally safe to drink from taps at Hotels. Mains water is normally heavily chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurized and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Fiji is free of major tropical diseases, including malaria. It has an effective, western-style medical system. Fresh water reticulated in Suva, Lautoka and the other major towns has been treated and is safe to drink. Hotels and resorts usually have a qualified nurse on the premises and a doctor on call. As in all travel it is recommended to take out a comprehensive health insurance. Other mosquito born viruses are present however appropriate clothing and repellent will assist in avoiding illness. 6 #OAchamps17 Allergies It is important that all food allergies are reported to the Village Mayor before athletes arrive at the Village. This will ensure that all procedures are in place to cater for the athletes’ needs. Language English is the official language of Fiji; however indigenous Fijians also speak iTaukei while Indo- Fijians speak Fiji Hindi. Tipping Tipping is not compulsory or customary in Fiji, however where you have received good service tipping is appreciated. Useful Fijian Words Bula - Hello Bula Vinaka – A warm Hello Ni sa moce (ni sa mothey) – Goodbye Vinaka – Thank you Kerekere - Please Mai Kana – Let’s eat Passports and Visa Requirements Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay in Fiji and a return onward travel ticket is required. Entry visas are granted on arrival for visitors from eligible countries for a stay of up to four months. Time Zone – GMT +12 Fiji 1pm Auckland 1pm Sydney (2hours) 11am Religion A multi-racial, multicultural nation, Fiji is represented by major religions of the world. Visitors will see Christian churches, Mosques, Sikh and Hindu temples in the towns and the countryside. Many Fijians are of the Wesleyan persuasion, but all the other Christian denominations are represented.