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47-725: It was established in 1978 under the Fiji Sports Council Act and a year later in 1979 it hosted the first South Pacific Games . It is not affiliated to FASANOC . It was established under an Act of Parliament so has its own rules. The organisation is headed by its Acting Chief Executive Officer Gilbert Vakalalabure , who currently holds the role of Chairman of the Fiji Sports Council Board of Directors. It also runs an annual Fiji Sports Awards program, recognising athletes, teams, volunteers, technical officials, administrators, and coaches. Its main aim

94-549: A "one member, one vote" principle for SPC. However, this decision did not come without criticism as some pointed out that the combination of allowing membership to non-independent territories and establishing a one-vote per member principle effectively provided additional votes to France and the United States who continued to maintain control over Pacific territories. It was also during the Saipan Conference that

141-626: A Council of Pacific Arts, permanently making culture issues a part of the SPC mandate and establishing the Festival of Pacific Arts as a regular event. In response to demand to rapid development of the Pacific regions media industry, SPC established a Regional Media Center in 1973 in collaboration with the recently created University of the South Pacific . The center produced audio material for

188-509: A South Seas Commission Conference in 1947 included the statement that "the [South Pacific] Commission to be set up should not be empowered to deal in any way with political matters or questions of defense or security". This constraint on discussion (particularly the constraint on discussing nuclear weapons testing in the region) led to the 1971 creation of the South Pacific Forum (now Pacific Islands Forum), which not only excluded

235-489: A conduit for funding of development projects from donor nations. Unlike the slightly smaller Pacific Islands Forum , PaciCom is not a trade bloc, and does not deal with military or security issues. PaciCom's regional development issues include climate change, disaster risk management , fisheries, food security , education, gender equality, human rights, non-communicable diseases, agriculture, forestry and land use, water resources, and youth employment. The Pacific Community

282-460: A result of expenditure on large-scale infrastructure projects such as bridges and roads. Potential debt positions notwithstanding, five nations ( Papua New Guinea , Vanuatu , Solomon Islands , Tonga and American Samoa ) bid for the 2015 Pacific Games . The Games were ultimately awarded to Port Moresby , Papua New Guinea and follow the 2011 Pacific Games held in Nouméa, New Caledonia. However

329-568: A shared regional responsibility, it made sense for a regional organization to respond to this need. SPC established the Regional Germplasm Centre (RGC) in 1998. The facility grew rapidly and in 2007 was renamed Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT). It currently holds more than 2000 varieties of genetic material on Pacific strains of taro, banana, breadfruit and others, and has been instrumental in helping to rebuild island agriculture after disasters. In 2000, SPC became

376-585: A single vote. When Western Samoa joined as newly independent state in 1965 the rules were changed to ensure that the Western foundation nations would maintain firm control over the organization. Australia was given five votes, France, Britain, New Zealand, and the United States four and Western Samoa just one. In 1972, the first South Pacific Arts Festival was convened by SPC in Suva, Fiji. The event drew more than 1000 participants from 14 countries. In 1975 SPC created

423-581: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about a sports-related organization is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . South Pacific Games The Pacific Games (French: Jeux du Pacifique), is a continental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from Oceania . The inaugural Games took place in 1963 in Suva , Fiji , and most recently in 2023 in Honiara, Solomon Islands . The Games were called

470-601: Is a direct donor for some projects. The UK rejoined in 2021 after reopening its high commissions in Tonga, Samoa and its embassy in Vanuatu in the past two years. In 1996, the Pacific Heads of Agriculture and Livestock Programmes asked "to put in place, both in their countries and through regional cooperation, policies to conserve, protect and best utilize their plant genetic resources". As these resources were considered

517-469: Is concentrated on providing technical and scientific advice to its member governments and administrations, particularly in areas where small island states lack the wherewithal to maintain purely national cadres of expertise, or in areas where regional co-operation or interaction is necessary. The operational budget of the Pacific Community in 2018 was approximately €82 million. The organization

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564-671: Is financially supported through a combination of membership fees and donor funding. Its major funding partners include the European Union , the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade , the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs , and the governments of France and the United States . Additional funding and knowledge partners include: The SPC works across more than 25 sectors. It

611-507: Is to foster, promote and market the recreational and sporting facilities in Fiji and to also: Since its establishment in 1978, it has helped develop sporting centres and upgrade it to international standards such as: It mainly funds its organisation by running its own advertising campaign and also collects money through Billboard advertising . This article about sports in Fiji

658-401: The 2015 Pacific Games . The risk of seeing the two wealthy, populous developed nations dominate the competition had previously prevented their inclusion. They were allowed to send participants only in rugby sevens , sailing , taekwondo and weightlifting — sports where other Pacific countries had proved sufficiently competitive against them in the past. New Zealand was allowed to compete in

705-547: The 2019 men's football competition with an U-23 team , which won the gold medal. Australia and New Zealand have since continued to compete on an invitational basis. In 2018, the Council created an "associate membership" category for other territories in Oceania. Potential candidates for membership include Bougainville , Easter Island , Western New Guinea , Hawaii and Christmas Island . There are 37 sports approved by

752-800: The Pacific Community . There are currently 22 members, 15 of which are members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Pitcairn Islands are the only Pacific Community member that is not a member of the Pacific Games Council, whereas Norfolk Island was admitted as a member of the Council despite not being a member of the Pacific Community . In July 2014, the Oceania National Olympic Committees voted to allow Australia and New Zealand to take part in

799-687: The South Pacific Commission ( SPC ), is an international development organisation governed by 27 members, including 22 Pacific island countries and territories around the Pacific Ocean . The organisation's headquarters are in Nouméa , New Caledonia , and it has regional offices in Suva , Pohnpei , and Port Vila , as well as field staff in other locations in the Pacific. Its working languages are English and French. It primarily provides technical and scientific advice, and acts as

846-578: The South Pacific Games from 1963 to 2007 . The Pacific Games Council (PGC) organises the Games and oversees the host city's preparations. Athletes with a disability are included as full members of their national teams. In each sporting event, gold medals are awarded for first place, silver medals are awarded for second place, and bronze medals are awarded for third place. Ten different cities in seven countries and territories have hosted

893-585: The Tumon Games in Guam . Dutch New Guinea , formerly represented in the SPC by the Netherlands, was transferred to United Nations authority in 1962 and to Indonesia the following year. Without any territory remaining in the region, the Netherlands withdrew from the SPC in 1962. Governance of the SPC reflected the changing political environment. At inception, each member had equal representation and

940-543: The 2009 Pacific Mini Games was rugby league 7s (now replaced by rugby league 9s). Notes: ^a The 3x3 format was added as an extra discipline for basketball in 2019 after being included at the Mini Games in 2017. ^b Volleyball and beach volleyball disciplines have been listed as one sport for the purposes of the Games program since some time after the bids for the XV ;Games (in conjunction with

987-699: The Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA) was established, creating the only Pacific regional organization that was both fully representative of the Pacific, and fully governed by its membership. In 1988, the SPC become a founding member of the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific or CROP (formerly the South Pacific Organisations Coordinating Committee, SPOCC) "to improve cooperation, coordination, and collaboration among

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1034-490: The Games twice in 1975 and 1999 . The Solomon Islands hosted the event for the first time in 2023 . Only six countries have attended every edition of the Pacific Games: Fiji , French Polynesia ( Tahiti ), New Caledonia , Papua New Guinea , Tonga , and Vanuatu . New Caledonia have dominated fourteen out of the seventeen Pacific Games, Papua New Guinea with two, and Fiji with one. The idea of holding

1081-456: The Games' history. In 1995, the year Papeete , Tahiti hosted the Games, many countries took the decision to boycott as a direct protest at French nuclear testing in the Pacific. The Games, however, returned to near full regional participation in the following event in 1999, held on Guam . The first objective of the Pacific Games Council, according to its Charter, is "To create bonds of kindred friendship and brotherhood amongst people of

1128-550: The Le Promenade complex at Anse Vata. In 1962, the Pacific Community created the South Pacific Games Council with the goal of holding a regular Pacific wide sporting event. The first games Games were held in Suva, Fiji in 1963, with 646 participants from 13 Pacific territories taking part. Initially the Games were held at three-year intervals although this was subsequently expanded to four following

1175-485: The Pacific Games Council, as at December 2017. In accordance with the Pacific Games Charter, a maximum 24 sports shall be contested at every games starting from the 2023 games and onwards. The number of Pacific Games core sports is 17, effective for the 2023 Games. The core sports are required to be included at every edition of the games. Sailing and Triathlon were made core sports in 2016, and Archery

1222-471: The Pacific Games. Four countries have hosted the games three times: Fiji ( 1963 , 1979 , 2003 ), New Caledonia ( 1966 , 1987 , 2011 ), Papua New Guinea ( 1969 , 1991 , 2015 ) and Samoa ( 1983 , 2007 , 2019 ). French Polynesia , who hosted in 1971 and 1995 , will become the fifth country to host the Games for the third time in 2027 . The United States territory of Guam have hosted

1269-513: The South Pacific Games Council decided to modernise and revise its charter in light of these changes in the region and the changing place of Sport in our society, thus the council adapted a new charter in 2007. The current President of the Council is Vidhya Lakhan from Fiji . Membership of the Council includes internationally recognised National Multisport Organisations within countries and territories who are members of

1316-569: The South Pacific Games originated with Dr A.H. Sahu Khan who was one of Fiji's representatives at a meeting of the South Pacific Commission held at Rabaul during 1959. The idea was adopted and led to a meeting of nine Territories, held in Nouméa during March 1961, which awarded Fiji the honour of hosting the very first Games. During 1962, the South Pacific Commission founded the South Pacific Games Council, with

1363-471: The countries of the Pacific region through sporting exchange without any distinctions as to race, religion or politics." The Games were initiated to promote and develop sport amongst the nations and peoples of the South Pacific. After fifty years in existence, The South Pacific Commission changed its name to the Pacific Community . The XII South Pacific Games held in Suva , Fiji saw for

1410-550: The entire Pacific region. The current logo was officially adopted in 2015. The Pacific Community today includes 22 Pacific island countries and territories, which were all previously territories (or, in the case of Tonga, a protectorate ) of the original founding members of the SPC, along with the developed countries of Australia, France, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States: The SPC

1457-503: The first CROP organization to be headed by a woman, Lourdes Pangelinan of Guam, who served in the role from 2000 to 2006. The SPC began producing a television program, known as The Pacific Way , in 1995. Supported by UNESCO as a trial for exchanging news stories, the first season was shared freely with just one tape circulated between TV stations in several Pacific Island nations. The programs' regional and local focus made it popular addition to local television schedules and at its height

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1504-675: The first Games (of 1963) were under predominantly British or French territorial rule. Understandably this generated a certain amount of confusion as both British and French flags and national anthems dominated proceedings and were occasionally used together for winning countries. Western Samoa (now Samoa ) was the only country with a flag and anthem of its sovereignty as it was the only participating independent island nation at that time. As time went on, fledgling nations gradually achieving sovereignty of their own sought to extricate themselves from their colonial past and new national anthems and flags emerged. Nevertheless, English and French remain

1551-495: The first ever Games being held at Suva, Fiji. In the 40 years since, Games have been held in 12 countries and territories within the region. Initially the Games were held at three-year intervals although this was subsequently expanded to four following the Tumon Games in Guam . As a residual consequence of the European colonisation of the Pacific from the early part of the 18th Century onwards, many nations who participated in

1598-489: The first time the introduction of a full program of 32 sports. That program included sports that are synonymous with the Pacific region as well as sports that have a limited participation and are generally not well established. A strong corporate sponsorship package a first for the games enabled the organizers to work with a free hand towards their aims of making the games a success. A colorful and effective media and publicity campaign generated much interest and enthusiasm among

1645-488: The maximum number of sports being reduced from 28 to 26 for the XVI ;Games). ^c Netball is a women's competition only. Officially, the final medal tally of the Games does not recognize a winner, regarding competition and fair play more highly. *Note : Nation(s) in italics no longer participate at the Pacific Games. South Pacific Commission The Pacific Community ( PC ), formerly

1692-456: The more distant "metropolitan" powers of France, UK and US, but also at the time their Pacific island territories. In 1949, the Pacific Community established its permanent headquarters in Nouméa, New Caledonia, at a former American military base. In 1995, a new headquarters was constructed close to the same location and the military base was demolished. A monument and plaque commemorating SPC's original headquarters location can be found on site of

1739-701: The official languages of the Games. Like other sporting events, the South Pacific Games has experienced slight controversies. A minor dispute that still continues today is the scheduling of events landing on a Sunday. Throughout the Pacific , the Christian Sabbath remains very important (sporting events or similar activity are illegal in Tonga for example) and scheduling at such a time would be frowned upon. The events themselves have also been affected by religious sensitivities, notably beach volleyball where

1786-413: The official uniform of bikinis for women has been forced to give way to more conservative attire. However other larger nations within the region or those loosely associated with more secular states (e.g. Cook Islands ( New Zealand ), American Samoa ( United States ), and French Polynesia ( France )) are more moderate in this regard. Other global and regional events have also influenced and shaped

1833-502: The postwar Pacific. Two founding members, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, have since withdrawn from the SPC as the Pacific territories they controlled either gained independence or the right to represent themselves in the organization. From the start, the SPC's role was constrained. The invitation from Australia and New Zealand to the US, France, the Netherlands and the UK to participate in

1880-412: The protection of cultural heritage. While the acronym "SPC" has been consistent since the organization's founding in 1947, the name and logo have evolved over the years. The organization's original name was the South Pacific Commission , which represented the limited nature of its membership and activities. The name was changed in 1997 to the Pacific Community , reflecting the growth of membership across

1927-553: The public in Fiji. Schools and youth groups were involved in interactive programs such as the adopt-a-country program also a first for the games. The XIII Pacific Games were hosted in Apia , Samoa . They were the 13th to have been held since 1963. In contrast to the Olympic Games which are expected to generate income for the host nation, the 2007 Pacific Games were expected to leave Samoa US$ 92million in debt, predominantly as

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1974-426: The regions radio stations and provided training in video production. With decolonization efforts expanding, newly independent states and nonindependent territories were also allowed to apply for membership. "As its membership grew, the character and scope of the SPC evolved to incorporate the indigenous peoples of the Pacific." In 1983, at the Saipan Conference, unequal voting was abandoned, once again establishing

2021-483: The rising cost (purportedly in excess of $ 1 billion) and the logistical burden of putting on the games continue to threaten countries' abilities to host the event. The games governing body is the Pacific Games Council. The Games council flag is presented to the host nation of the next games at the end of every games. With expansion and economic growth in the Pacific and Oceania countries of the Pacific Islands,

2068-465: The various intergovernmental regional organisations to work toward achieving the common goal of sustainable development in the Pacific region". The United Kingdom withdrew from the organisation in 1996 and rejoined in 1998. The UK withdrew a second time in 2004 . The UK's interests in the Pacific Community were prior to Brexit primarily managed through the European Union, although the UK also

2115-476: Was added in 2021. Details for each core sport, up to and including the 2023 games, are presented in the table below: There are 20 optional sports could be chosen for inclusion at a games, as selected by the host city organising committee. Details for each optional sport, up to and including the 2023 games, are presented in the table below: Former sports include rugby 15s (replaced by rugby 7s) and underwater fishing (last contested in 1999). Also included at

2162-647: Was founded in 1947 as the South Pacific Commission by six developed countries with strategic interests and territories in the region: Australia , France , the Netherlands , New Zealand , the United Kingdom , and the United States . The SPC's founding charter is the Canberra Agreement. In the aftermath of World War II , the six colonial powers which created the SPC arguably intended it to secure Western political and military interests in

2209-540: Was producing and distributing 26 annual episodes to 21 TV stations around the region. Since 2017, the Pacific Way has been developing 10 episodes per season for television and has been reintroduced to radio through its complementary podcasts. The half-hour show shares development stories about the Pacific for the Pacific. It covers important topics and key issues, such as climate change adaptation, health, youth employment, innovation in agriculture, fisheries management and

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