The newly elected OUSA Executive Board
SYDNEY – The Australian Federation of University Sport hosted the OUSA General Assembly on the occasion of the National University Games. These “Unigames” enable over 9,000 participants from universities across Australia to meet in more than 40 different disciplines. They take place throughout the city and also in facilities that have hosted the Olympics in 2000.
For this elective General Assembly, all member countries and territories of the OUSA were present. The President welcomed the delegates and the representative of FISU, Laurent Briel, Director of Development and NUSF Relations and Mr. Matjaz Pecovnik, EUSA Secretary General. It was an opportunity for FISU to present to the Australian University Sports Federation, represented by Martin Doulton, but also to the OUSA, represented by its president Ray Preston, commemorative plaques.
All the delegates introduced themselves before proceeding to the agenda of the meeting. The roll call was made and the 11 countries and territories were present. The AG continued with the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting and the presentation of the reports of the President, Secretary-General and of the Audited Financial Manager. All reports and the budget for the next period were approved. Proposals to amend the articles were studied.
FISU’s Laurent Briel presenting
The next item on the agenda was devoted to the election of the new Executive Committee. It should be noted that there were several candidates for each position, which demonstrates both the motivation of the members to take a more active part in the development of their federation and vitality as well as the democracy of the organisation.
The election went smoothly and the new board is composed as follows:
President: Martin Doulton (AUS)
Vice-President: Alifereti Cawanibuka (FIJ)
Secretary- General: Kelly Blas (GUM)
Members: Eric Michalak (New Caledonia), Michael White (NMI) and Lipine Peresetene (SAM).
The new president took office and thanked the delegates for their confidence and then convened a meeting of the executive committee in the late evening to set up the team, identify next steps and methodology.
The afternoon was devoted to presentations to delegates and members of the student committee. The first was devoted to the development policy of FISU, including its relations with continental federations. Then Secretary General of the EUSA made a presentation on the history and organization of the EUSA. The last presentation was devoted to the first OUSA championship, a beach soccer competition to be held in New Caledonia.
In the evening, all delegates were invited to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Australian “Unigames”. The second day, workshops and a visit to the Olympic venues were on the programme.
(Source: Laurent Briel, Director Development and NUSF Relations)