Views from our partners

An Independent Review of the PacificAus Sports program was conducted from March to June 2022. The Review:

• considered the programs, activities, and events supported by PacificAus Sports; 
• measured the extent to which PacificAus Sports objectives have been achieved; and 
• provided recommendations to help shape PacificAus Sports forward program.

The PacificAus Sports Independent Review team engaged with a broad section of Australian and Pacific sports stakeholders to test views and gather data to inform findings.

The Review found PacificAus Sports provided a high-impact, positive and unique platform for the Australian Government and Australian sporting codes to engage with Pacific counterparts and audiences across the region. 

Recent highlights for PacificAus Sports include participation of the Fijian and Fijiana Drua, Kaiviti Silktails and PNG Hunters in Australian and trans-Tasman competitions across the rugby codes. Support for Pacific athletes’ preparations for Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games (held in 2021) was highly regarded by all stakeholders and provided a strong basis for consideration of support options in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032. In addition, the PacificAus Sports Netball Super Series provided valuable high-level competition for Tonga, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Fiji netballers. 

The Review identified several areas for improvement including the potential to better utilise the PacificAus Sports Hub in Samoa in managing regional sports engagements. It recommended a more effective branding and communications strategy to improve program recognition, and suggested greater engagement with Pacific stakeholders on program planning and the identification of specific gender, disability and social inclusion targets.  It proposed a more comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system to measure outcomes more effectively. 

The Review recommended PacificAus Sports retain its core program components and explore opportunities for increased engagement across a range of Pacific countries. It emphasized the importance of maintaining flexibility in the program to ensure PacificAus Sports’ ability to respond to emerging opportunities.  

PacificAus Sports looks forward to working with our partners to implement these suggestions.