The Australian Government is now in a caretaker period in advance of the forthcoming election. Until a new government is sworn in, government operations are conducted in accordance with the caretaker conventions.
Views from our partners
Celebrating the strengths and exploring future improvements to the high-impact PacificAus Sports program.
PNG athlete Rellie Kaputin
our stories
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.
Nancy Genzel Abouke of Team Nauru competes during the Weightlifting - Women's 76kg Group B / day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Sophia Frances Morgan / Team Fiji
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.
Flag bearers Malia Paseka and Pita Taufatofua of Tonga l Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Tokyo, Japan. / Getty Images
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.
Fiji Paralympic athlete Iosefo
PNG Barramundies cricket team
Jane Nicholas of Team Cook Islands competes in the Women's Kayak Slalom
Miller Pata and Sherysyn Toko of Team Vanuatu celebrate at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
Tuvalu Saaga Malosa during the Mens Doubles match between England and Tuvalu
Team Fiji prepare for the start of the Women’s pool B match between Team France and Team Fiji during the Rugby Sevens
Pre-Birmingham Commonwealth Games GAPS Pacific Training Camp, Gold Coast.
With Julianne Cowley, Assistant Secretary
Pacific Development, Office of the Pacific
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Pacific Development, Office of the Pacific
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Flag bearers Kinaua Biribo and Ruben Katoatau of Team Kiribati during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020
Medalists from Australia, Fiji and New Zealand pose for a photo during the Rugby Sevens Women's meet
Nu'u Tuilefano of Team Samoa competes during the Women's Shot Put Final
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