2025 will be remembered as a year that ITTF-Oceania significantly increased our operations, achievements and engagement with our Member Associations (MAs) and all key stakeholders.
Governance
- 2025 was the first year of our 2025-2028 Strategic Quadrennial Agreement with ITTF, which underpins our operations.
- 2025 was the first year of our 2025-2028 Strategic Plan.
- For the first time in eight years, the Oceania family met together in person when we held our AGM and a Special General Meeting at the same time as the ITTF Summit in Qatar in May. For the first time ever, people from all 24 Oceania MAs were present, either in person or by proxy. Significantly, a new and modern ITTF-Oceania Constitution was unanimously approved by our MAs. The unity and togetherness demonstrated by the Oceania family highlighted our willingness to work together for the greater good.
- Mr. Anthony Ho was posthumously awarded ITTF-Oceania Honorary Life Membership, recognising his outstanding contribution to table tennis in Fiji, Oceania and internationally over many decades.
- A record 21 Oceania MAs participated at the ITTF Summit in Qatar, ensuring that Oceania had a voice on the global stage and our views contributed to global outcomes.
- The ITTF-Oceania President, Mr. Anthony Moore, was elected as an ITTF Executive Vice President, ensuring Oceania maintains a seat at the highest international table.
- Mr. Graham Symons from Australia finished his term as an ITTF Executive Vice President. We thank Graham for his service and for providing a steady hand under at times difficult circumstances.
- ITTF-Oceania submitted a considered proposal for the ITTF Constitutional Reform process, highlighting our willingness to contribute to this crucial piece of work.
- ITTF-Oceania conducted all operations within the Board approved 2025 budget.
- All 24 MAs engaged with ITTF-Oceania in some capacity throughout the year.
Events and High Performance
- A full event calendar was implemented, comprising:
- 2025 ITTF-Oceania Cup in Australia, hosted by ITTF-Oceania.
- 2025 ITTF-Oceania Championships including the 2025 ITTF-Oceania Regional Championships in New Zealand, hosted by ITTF-Oceania.
- 2025 ITTF-Oceania Youth Championships including the 2025 ITTF-Oceania Regional Youth Championships in New Zealand, hosted by ITTF-Oceania.
- 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau, hosted by the Pacific Games Council.
- 2025 ITTF-Oceania Hopes Week in New Caledonia, hosted by Ligue Caledonienne de Tennis de Table.
- 2025 ITTF-Oceania Para Championships in New Zealand, hosted by Table Tennis New Zealand.
- We worked closely and collaboratively with the ITTF Events Department to improve the standard of events in Oceania, with the following improvements realised compared to 2024:
- The quality of presentation significantly lifted.
- More MAs and more players competed in both male and female events, with nearly 300 players from 15 MAs participating.
- 12 MAs won at least one medal at our events.
- New events were implemented to increase opportunities for developing MAs.
- All Event Regulations were updated to further improve events in 2026.
- New Zealand’s rising star, Lucas Alexandre, continued the recent trend of Oceania players winning medals at the ITTF World Hopes Week when he claimed bronze in Boy’s Singles event.
- Multiple players continued to be supported through ITTF scholarships and other funding opportunities.
- Our 2026 ITTF-Oceania Events Calendar was published in August 2025, providing maximum time for our MAs to organise their players and finances to further increase participation.
Participation and Development
- After a hiatus of nearly 10 years, 2025 saw the return of the Oceania Development Program in its traditional format.
- Two new Oceania Development Officers, Hongbo Liang and Ocean Belrose, commenced in February 2025 and were instrumental in embedding the Oceania Development Program as a cornerstone of Oceania operations.
- Throughout 2025, the following achievements were realised through the Oceania Development Program:
- 15 in-country visits were held in 13 MAs: Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga.
- More than 1,500 people, including 39% females, participated in our programs and activities.
- The Oceania Talent Team was relaunched through a partnership with PacificAus Sports, with athletes from 6 MAs attending a training camp and competing at the 2025 Auckland Open.
- Through a partnership with PacificAus Sports, 6 athletes were supported to participate at the 2025 ITTF-Oceania Para Championships.
- Equipment was provided in 12 MAs.
- Coaching courses were conducted in 2 MAs.
- 6 Officiating courses in 3 MAs were conducted, with 49 new Officials accredited.
- School visits were conducted in 7 MAs.
- Training camps were conducted in 9 MAs.
- Competitions were conducted in 6 MAs.
- Our award-winning Smash Down Barriers Program continued under the guidance of Program Manager, Cherry Harvey, with ongoing programs running in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Tonga. These programs are fully funded by the Australian Government through its Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and continue to serve the region well, in particular when working with people with disabilities, women and girls and other disadvantaged groups.
Acknowledgement
ITTF-Oceania offers sincere thanks to ITTF under the leadership of President Petra Sörling, outgoing CEO Steve Dainton, outgoing Secretary General Raul Calin, Director of Sports Development Mikael Andersson and Event Director Bart Vermoesen. Our partnership with ITTF enables us to function effectively and we are appreciative that ITTF support our vision for Oceania’s future.
ITTF-Oceania acknowledges and appreciates our strong working relationship with the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC), the Organisation of Sports Federations of Oceania (OSFO) and the Pacific Games Council (PGC). We always endeavour to play our role in using sport as a vehicle for good and for the benefit of the people throughout Oceania.
Praise must be given to our 24 Member Associations and the army of volunteers and staff members who keep everything running at national level. Your dedication, unity and support are both acknowledged and appreciated.
Thank you also to our partners, the Australian Government and PacificAus Sports, whose support enables us to create tangible outcomes that would otherwise not be possible.
Of course, thanks must go to our players, coaches, officials and volunteers. The game of table tennis is for you, and we never lose sight of this.
Finally, thank you to the ITTF-Oceania Board and the ITTF-Oceania staff. Having highly qualified and highly skilled people in the right seats ensures that table tennis in Oceania will continue its upward trajectory. We appreciate the time and effort provided by all.
We look forward to all that 2026 holds for table tennis globally as we continue this fabulous momentum we are all enjoying.