PRESIDENT’S REPORT This year has not been without many and varied challenges due to the unprecedented worldwide pandemic experienced by us all. We in Oceania have not been affected as badly as some, although it has still caused many operational challenges and necessitated “outside the box” thinking. Our staff, with their can-do attitude, flexibility, innovation and excellent work ethic have achieved outstanding results for us, working in partnership with our Members who all experienced different opportunities, challenges and circumstances during the year. Our Confederation continues to be recognised by BWF as demonstrating efficient, productive and proactive practices enabling our Members to grow and develop, even with limited face to face opportunities during the year. We, like many, have become an organisation of on-line meetings, workshops, webinars and virtual course delivery.
We were fortunate to have a fabulous week of badminton in Ballarat, Australia in February where we had a Pacific Player Development Camp, the VICTOR Oceania Championships which encompassed four separate competitions including the Para Badminton Championships and the Annual General Meeting which was attended by 9 Member Associations. At the AGM we welcomed a new Executive Board member, Karyn Gibson from Fiji. It is very pleasing to see the wide distribution of Members on our Executive Board with Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia and New Zealand all represented to provide a great overview and cross section of our region.
The Executive Board met face to face both pre and post AGM in Ballarat, Australia and then another four times during the year on Zoom as well as staying in close communication with each other and our Secretary General to provide support during a year which significantly deviated from our original plans. The Executive Board worked with the staff to confirm and publish the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan as well as review and update various policies. Hopefully it will not be too long before we can all meet face to face again to interact on a personal level. 6
