Meeting with Dennis Miller, ONOC Programmes Manager, at FITA Headquarters

Meeting with Dennis Miller, ONOC Programmes Manager, at FITA Headquarters Lausanne – 20 December 2007   Mr Dennis Miller, Programmes Manager for ONOC came by to visit FITA headquarters during his stay in Lausanne for various Olympic Solidarity meetings. Messrs. Tom Dielen (Secretary General) and Pascal Colmaire (Development & Educational Director) and Ms Deqa Hussen (Development & Coaching Coordinator) warmly welcomed him to FITA headquarters and to the MSI.   From left to right: Mr Pascal Colmaire,   Mr Tom Dielen, Mr Dennis Miller and Ms Deqa Hussen   The topics discussed mainly concerned development of archery in Oceania and Mr Miller clearly stated that ONOC will continuously support FITA and the development of Archery in Oceania. He also mentioned that several NOCs are conducting National Games and they are adopting sports as part of national culture.   Mr Tom Dielen expressed his concern for the involvement of women in archery since gender equity is an important criteria for FITA and that there are few women participating in archery from Oceania in competitions. Mr Miller informed that a there is a Women in Sports Commission within ONOC and he will transmit the message in order to start an immediate collaboration.   Mr Pascal Colmaire presented the various development activities done by Mr Renaud Baudrillat, FITA Development Agent in Oceania and the importance of maintaining his position for the development of archery. Programmes such as Development of the National Structure are a necessity for various federations and the key points raised to include in the programme were; coaching courses for competition preparation, coach training coaches, linking school programmes with the clubs and administration of national federations.   Coaches, Messrs. Francis Runa (Vanuatu) and Daniel Falimea (Solomon Islands) who recently attended a coaches’ course in MEAC Cairo with the support of ONOC have been appointed as development agents by their National Olympic Committees. Mr Colmaire was delighted to hear that further National Development agents could be considered in Oceania.   FITA informed ONOC of the development budgets given to OCA on a yearly basis and stressed on the participation of archers in competitions, championships, qualifying tournament and Olympic Games. Mr Miller was pleased to know the significant FITA assistance to archery in Oceania over the last years.   The meeting ended on congratulating Oceania for the organization of the South Pacific Games that was spectacular and well organized.   Deqa Hussen Development & Coaching Coordinator