1982 - SUVA, FIJI:
The first Oceania Regional Championships were held over 5 days
from May 13 to 17.
This coincided with school holidays so that students could
assist the officials.
The Championships were blessed with generally lovely weather.
Competition starting at 8.30 a.m., allowing a long lunch break
to avoid the heat of the day, and with most competition taking
place at the National Stadium.
Entries totalled approximately 280 athletes, made up of approximately
120 each from Australia and New Zealand, 40 from Fiji and 1
each from Noumea and Western Samoa.
At least one world veteran record was established, and there
were many other fine performances.
A meeting of delegates from New Caledonia, Fiji, Australia
and New Zealand agreed that these Oceania Regional Championships
should be held on a two-yearly basis with Australia as the
next host.
1984 - CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA:
The second Oceania Championships were held in conjunction
with the Australian National Veteran Championships over
Easter, 1984.
This concept of joint meetings was part of the original planning
for Oceania Championships, but has not been repeated as opinion
favoured a stand-alone event.
Athletic facilities at Bruce Stadium were of a high standard,
but cold southerly winds over the weekend made conditions
difficult. The enjoyment of these Championships was enhanced
by the generous billeting of many visiting athletes.
Numbers of competitors are not available, but did include
89 from New Zealand.
1986 - APIA, WESTERN SAMOA:
The 1986 Oceania Regional Championships were held in September,
1986, with the Organising Committee led by Joe Annandale
as chairman.
Members of the American Peace Corps assisted greatly with
the smooth running of the meeting.
Competition took place on a white gravel athletic track which
produced some fine performances. Total competitor numbers
are not known, although they did include 25 from New Zealand.
It was at Apia that a formal constitution and organisation
was established for OAVA.
1988 - NOUMEA, NEW CALEDONIA:
The 4th Oceania Regional Championships were held in late
October/early November, 1988.
The event attracted considerable interest when first proposed,
but were unfortunately postponed twice due to political unrest
in New Caledonia. The efforts of Daniel Legat and his team
resulted in the Championships finally being held, but unfortunately
numbers were badly affected by the delays and uncertainty
over the event.
The Championships were enjoyed by the small number of competitors,
and were held in hot, sunny conditions although performances
were affected by strong winds for most events.
1990 - AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND:
The boost which the Oceania Regional Championships needed
took place over 5 competition days in November, 1990 when
the 5th Championships were held in Auckland, New Zealand.
Entries were received from 869 veteran athletes. These were
from New Zealand (670), Australia (153), New Caledonia (12),
Fiji (11), Norfolk Island (5), Papua New Guinea (1), and
Vanuatu (1), plus additional entries from Sri Lanka, USA,
England, India and Denmark.
Although, as usual, all entrants did not arrive, the actual
number of athletes competing was well over 800.
Athletes were favoured with generally good weather and enjoyed
competition in Mt. Smart Stadium which had been the venue
of the Commonwealth Games earlier in the year. Cross Country
events were held at Moire Park in Massey which was also the
scene of the closing ceremony and final social function.
10 World veteran records were set, along with over 150 new
Oceania Championship records.
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