ONOC Executive Board wraps three-day orientation in Suva, endorses 2025–2028 Strategic Plan and governance reforms
The Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) Executive Board completed a three-day orientation and its first in-person meeting at the ONOC Headquarters in Suva, Fiji. The newly elected 14-member board was confirmed at ONOC’s 2025 Annual General Assembly in Guam earlier this year. Members include Baklai Temengil (President), Emma Waiwai (Vice President), Ricardo Blas (Secretary General), Jim Tobin, Marcus Stephen, Cathy Wong, Maureen Tuimaleali’ifano, Ken Wallace (Chair, ONOC Athletes’ Commission), Dr Robin Mitchell (IOC Member), Auvita Rapilla (IOC Member), Ian Chesterman (IOC Member), Sarah Walker (IOC Member), Jessica Fox (IOC Athletes’ Commission), and Marcus Daniell (IOC Athletes’ Commission).
The orientation program was designed to familiarize members with ONOC’s mandate, governance principles, strategic priorities, and operational context, providing a comprehensive overview of ONOC’s role within the Olympic Movement. Facilitated by consultant Anthony Moore, the daily program combined morning information sessions led by the ONOC Secretariat with afternoon Executive Board meetings to deliberate resolutions and set the course for the organization’s work.
A key highlight of the program was the review and endorsement of the draft ONOC Strategic Plan Framework for 2025–2028.
Key Resolutions
Governance
– Establishment of a Governance Committee
– Review of the ONOC Board Charter (drafted in 2019)
– Establishment of an ONOC Olympic Solidarity Committee
– Extension of the Audit Committee to include Finance and Risk
– Establishment of an ONOC Games Commission
– Assignment of Executive Members to ONOC Commissions
Programmes
– Approval of the ONOC 2025–2028 Strategic Plan Framework
Operations
– Internal review of the ONOC Structure, Operations and Programmes
ONOC President Baklai Temengil welcomed the outcomes of the meeting and paid tribute to former ONOC President Dr Robin Mitchell and the past leadership for laying the foundation upon which the new Executive Board will build. Temengil said the orientation set a strong foundation for the board, highlighting a commitment to governance, accountability, and delivering inclusive progress for members and athletes. She noted that the new committees and commissions, together with the Strategic Plan 2025–2028, demonstrate ONOC’s focus on transparency and effective delivery as it strengthens Oceania’s role within the Olympic Movement. The Board will reconvene in one month to assess progress on the resolutions and outcomes.
Context and outlook
Temengil’s leadership, established earlier this year, represents a historic moment for ONOC as it steers regional sport leadership forward. The presence of multiple IOC Members on the board, alongside ONOC Athletes’ Commission representatives, underscores ONOC’s emphasis on athlete welfare, governance, and continued collaboration with the broader Olympic Movement. Emma Waiwai’s role as Vice President, together with Temengil’s presidency, reflects ongoing momentum toward diverse leadership within Oceania sport. The organization’s strategic focus aims to strengthen governance and accountability while expanding opportunities for member NOCs and athletes across the region.
A final note
The ONOC Executive Board remains focused on implementing the resolutions, advancing the Strategic Plan, and delivering results that benefit athletes, member NOCs, and communities throughout Oceania. The next steps include monitoring progress on governance reforms, programmatic initiatives, and operational enhancements as outlined in the framework.
Summary
The three-day orientation in Suva framed a renewed governance and strategic direction for ONOC, with the newly formed board adopting a comprehensive framework for 2025–2028, establishing key committees, and reaffirming a commitment to accountability, transparency, and athlete-centered development. The board will meet again in about a month to review progress.
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