It is now one year since the new ITTF-Oceania Board was elected and Scott Houston commenced as the ITTF-Oceania CEO.
Too often in life we tend to look at what’s wrong rather than taking the time to pause and to reflect on what has been achieved.
This note proudly takes a moment to review what we have accomplished in the past 12 months.
We sincerely thank our Oceania Family for their continued support of our efforts to reignite table tennis across the Pacific.
While we may have referenced some of these in previous updates, it is worth noting the past 12 months has delivered the following:
- Last month in Qatar, the ITTF-Oceania family gathered together in person for the first time since 2017. All Oceania Member Associations were represented at the ITTF-Oceania AGM & SGM – this is historic as it is the first time this has happened in our 48-year history. Additionally, the vast majority were represented at the ITTF AGM, ensuring Oceania’s voice on the global stage.
- Our new Constitution was unanimously approved by the Oceania Member Associations in Doha. For the first time, the document is presented in both English and French.
- Our 2025-2028 Strategic Quadrennial Agreement with ITTF was finalised. This further strengthens our ties with ITTF, our strongest and closest partner.
- Our new 2025-2028 Strategic Plan was established, which drives all operational and strategic decision making. Again here, for the first time the document is presented in both English and French.
- Our Oceania Development Program was relaunched and is proving to be a success with in-country visits to 8 x Member Associations already taking place. With our new Oceania Development Officers in place, we now have the resources to provide genuine assistance where it is needed most across Oceania.
- Our highly regarded Smash Down Barriers Program continues to excel, with new initiatives embedded and the program continuing to make a tangible difference in participating countries.
- History was made as Eli Ho from New Zealand became the first Oceania player to win the ITTF World Hopes Week last year.
- Players from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Vanuatu flew the Oceania flag at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, with multiple medals including gold being won by Australia at the Paralympics.
- Through ongoing collaboration with the ITTF Events Department, our Oceania events continue to improve and evolve. This has helped us to showcase our players and region to an international audience.
As President, I am delighted that your ITTF-Oceania Board is united, working cohesively to provide first class governance and oversight to the organisation.
I would like to thank my fellow ITTF-Oceania Board Members – Sarah Sandley, Carolyn Li, James Ji Jr. and Benoit Coquelet for their professionalism and collaboration. I would also like to thank the ITTF-Oceania staff – Scott Houston, Ocean Belrose, Hongbo Liang and Cherry Harvey for exceptionally managing our operations.
Thank you also to our Oceania Member Associations – we are and always will be strongest as a united family.
Finally, thank you to the ITTF under the guidance of President Petra Sörling and CEO Steve Dainton. Thank you for believing in our vision and helping us to get there.
We have reset our organisation and we have made significant progress. With momentum now established, we’re looking forward to seeing how far we can go in the years ahead.
Table Tennis. For All. For Life.
Anthony Moore
President – ITTF-Oceania