The World Athletics Coaching Education and Certification System (CECS) Level II Course for Sprints, Hurdles, and Relays was successfully completed at the Gold Coast Performance Centre in Australia, bringing together coaches from across the Oceania region. The program forms an important part of World Athletics’ commitment to strengthening coaching pathways and raising technical standards within Member Federations.
Sixteen coaches from 13 Member Federations took part, representing Tonga, New Zealand, Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Australia, Tahiti, Nauru, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, and the Cook Islands. Their participation reflects the broad regional investment in developing specialist expertise in speed and relay events.
The course was delivered by an experienced panel of lecturers: Makelesi Bulikiobo of Fiji, Jack Iroga of the Solomon Islands, and Antony Drinkwater-Newman of Australia. Across several days of intensive learning, they guided participants through the technical and tactical components of sprints, hurdles, and relays, including mechanics of acceleration, maximum velocity training, rhythm development for short and long hurdles, and relay exchange strategies.
A key feature of the program was the integration of theory with practice. Coaches spent time on the track at the Gold Coast Performance Centre, applying new concepts in real training environments and engaging in peer-to-peer learning. This practical exposure helped reinforce course content and allowed coaches to refine their approach to athlete development.
The course comes at a crucial time, with several major regional competitions on the horizon. Coaches who completed the Level II certification will play a vital role in preparing athletes for events such as the Oceania Area Championships in Darwin in 2026, the Pacific Games in Tahiti in 2027, the Pacific Mini Games in the Cook Islands in 2029, and the Pacific Games in Tonga in 2031.
Outcomes from the program include the certification of 16 coaches at CECS Level II, strengthened capacity across 13 Member Federations, and the establishment of a growing regional network of coaches committed to high-performance development in Oceania.
Next steps include continued mentorship for the newly qualified coaches, integration of advanced techniques into national training programs, and the identification of candidates ready to progress to CECS Level III in the coming years.