Home  News  About Us    Governance    History    Affiliates/Associates    Council Contacts  Championships    Details    Programme    Records    Results    Bid Requirements  Links    Regional Links    Other Links	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 (WMA from 2001) which became the catalyst for organised competition and the growth of Masters Athletics in the region. The 4th World Masters 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 1980. The 7th World Track & Field Championships were held in Melbourne, Australia in 1987. The 14th WAVA Track & Field Championships were held in Brisbane, Australia in July, 2001, and the WAVA Distance Championships in Auckland, New Zealand in 2004. 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. The original Oceania region representative at WAVA, New Zealand’s 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 awarding of Life Membership of OAVA in 1990. In 2011 OAMA began trading as Oceania Masters Athletics (OMA) and at the 2012 AGM the name was formally changed to Oceania Masters Athletics Inc. Some of the details of past Oceania Regional Championships are recorded separately on this site. Summaries of the development of Masters Athletics in Australia,  New Zealand,  la Nouvelle Caledonie (New Caledonia),  Cook Islands,  Norfolk Island can be accessed by clicking on the country. 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 as detailed above. These efforts were rewarded when Fiji undertook the major task of staging the first Oceania Championships held in 1982 in Suva. 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,  2012 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/OMA Office Bearers Current Office Bearers Patron   Jim Blair New Zealand President   Wilma Perkins Australia Vice President   David Lobb Cook Islands Secretary   Bob Schickert Australia Treasurer   Stewart Foster New Zealand WMA Delegate   Lynne Schickert Australia Council Members 2012-2014 Bob Banens, Lynne Schickert, Jim Tobin, George White Past Office Bearers Outline and History of WAVA/WMA Back to Top
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