World Archery Oceania elects Hans JENSEN as President, votes in new council

On the first day of the Congress, delegates voted in Tonga’s Hans JENSEN as the continental association’s new President.

JENSEN said he had “a good feeling about the future of archery in Oceania” after he was elected.

Tahitian Didier GRASS was appointed Vice President, Patsy VERCOE of New Zealand as Secretary General and Australia’s Jim LARVEN Treasurer.

Oceania’s Continental Qualification Tournament for Rio 2016 was awarded to Tonga, to be held in either February or March 2016 as pat of the Oceania Archery Championships.

The second day of congress allowed for an early first draft of a strategic development plan for Oceania and its member associations. Fruitful discussions gave delegates food for thought to build on in their respective nations.

Urgent development initiatives were identified and prioritised, with delegates asked to prepare proposals for pilot projects – following a model discussed with World Archery Development Director Pascal COLMAIRE – before February 2015.

Congress agreed to pursue the establishment of a para archery sub-committee in World Archery Oceania’s governance structure, as well as revive the judges’ and coaches’ committees. It is anticipated that Susanne WORMESLEY (AUS) will head up the judges’ committee.

The new council held its inaugural meeting at the end of the two-day congress, which was an opportunity for some of the members to meet each other for the first time.

With a strong President in place, JENSEN himself is “confident the composition of the new council will work very well.”