Home  About Us    By-Laws/Policies    History    Affiliates    Council Contacts  Championships    Bid Requirements    Championship Details    Programme    Records    Results    Rules of Competition  Links    Regional Links    Other Links  News	History of Masters Athletics in the Oceania Region While activity in the various affiliates clearly began at different times, it was the formation of WAVA which became the catalyst for organised competition and the growth of Master athletics in the region. The 4th World Master Track & Field Championships were held at Christchurch, New Zealand in 1981, and were preceded by the IGAL World Road Race Championships in Palmerston North, New Zealand in December, 1980. The 7th World Track & Field Championships were held in Melbourne, Australia in 1987. The 14th WAVA Track & Field Championships will be held in Brisbane, Australia in July, 2001, and the WAVA Distance Championships were held in 2004 in Auckland, New Zealand These events in our region provided many Oceania Masters with their only chance to compete in WAVA Championships and experience the camaraderie of these events, because of the travel costs involved when the events are held in the northern hemisphere. For many, the Oceania Regional Championships are the only practical opportunity they have to participate in and enjoy international competition. For many years New Zealand’s representative at WAVA, Clem Green, developed contacts in many Oceania countries and travelled extensively through the region. It was largely through his efforts that the Oceania Championships finally became a fact of life in 1984. Clem’s efforts were recognised by the award of Life Membership of OAVA in 1990. Details of past Oceania Regional Championships are recorded separately in this Handbook. The following summaries of the development of Masters athletics in individual affiliates are those listed below, more will become available at a later date. Australia,  New Zealand,  Norfolk Island History of the Oceania Masters Athletics Championships The development of the concept of Oceania Regional Championships owes much to the efforts and enthusiasm of OAVA and NZAVA Life Member, Clem Green. In his capacity as Oceania Representative to WAVA, he developed contacts through the Region and vigorously pursued the development of veteran athletics in the region and the prospects of introducing Regional Championships for Oceania. These efforts were rewarded when Fiji undertook the major task of staging the first Oceania Championships in 1992. The following brief comments have been obtained from various sources. Although limited, it is hoped they will provide an outline of the history of these important and friendly events. 1982-1990,  1992-2000,  2002-2010 A record of past Oceania Regional Championships would be incomplete without reference to the assistance given over the years by the dedicated band of officials from New Zealand and Australia who have made the various Championships successful by their considerable efforts and their eager participation. They have become as much part of the Championships as the athletes; their friendliness and assistance is appreciated by athletes, organising committees and OAVA. Special Events/Trophies Two special Events/Trophies are awarded at each Championships, these are The Clem Glen 1500 and The Ailsa Forbes Memorial Trophy, details about these trophies/events can be found here History of the OAVA/OAMA Office Bearers Current Office Bearers Patron 1992- Clem Green, QSM, Profile New Zealand President 2002- Ian Anderson, Profile Norfolk Island Vice President 2002- Wilma Perkins, Profile Australia Secretary 1996- Helen Tobin, Profile New Zealand Treasurer 2002- Rob McGregor, Profile New Zealand WMA Delegate 1996- Stan Perkins, Profile Australia Council Members 2004-2006 Jim Blair, Jim Tobin, Peter Fenemor, Kerry Thew, Lynne Schickert Past Office Bearers Outline and History of WAVA/WMA Back to Top
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