VISION

Archery is a recognised recreational and competitive sport throughout the Oceania Region.

MISSION

World Archery Oceania will provide the leadership and assistance to facilitate the development of archery in all WAO Member Associations.

VALUES

Integrity – We strive to maintain a high level of honesty, transparency and operating according to a strong moral code.

Vuvale – The Fijian word for “family”, this encompasses our cooperation, care, respect and understanding for all of our members across the region.

Sportsmanship – We embrace the core values of the sport; being courteous, ethical, and fair to each other, while practising self-control and maturity.

Communication – Being a regional organisation with members spread far and wide across the Pacific Ocean, communication helps us build relationships by allowing us to share our experiences and needs, and helps us connect to one another.

Enjoyment – This is what keeps us going; enjoyment motivates us to participate and persist in our sport, promoting higher effort and commitment.

World Archery Oceania

Recognised by the International Federation World Archery as the body representing the sport in the Oceania region. World Archery Oceania comprises of all Oceania members in good standing with World Archery, plus other organisation who are regional territories of other World Archery members.

Executive Committee positions are elected on a four year term.

World Archery Oceania conducts a Congress of members every two years.

The World Archery Oceania Executive Committee is responsible for:

  • Continental Championships​
  • Qualifying events for Olympic and Paralympic Games
  • Coaching courses for Judges and Coaches
  • Ensure each member runs a National Championships annually

Executive Committee

Susanne Womersley

President, 2016 - 2020, 2020 - 2024, Australia

I have been President of WAO since 2016. I am a World Archery International Judge, which has given me the opportunity to officiate at three Olympic Games as well as several World Championships and World Cup Finals. From 2005 to 2013 I was a member of the WA Executive Board.

In Australia, I am a member of the Archery Australia Inc. Officials Committee, a position I have held since 1993, and I was chair of this committee until 2015. 

I am a secondary school teacher, married to John Womersley and have a daughter and three grandchildren. I live in Geelong, about 80km from Melbourne. Besides work, family and archery I like travelling, especially to Europe (I was born and grew up in Austria) and reading.

Didier Gras

Vice-President, 2014-2018 and 2022-2026, Tahiti

I was born in France in 1961 and moved to Tahiti in 1983. Here I work as a laboratory technician at Papeete Hospital.

I first began archery in 1995 in Tahiti and quickly achieved some very good results which allowed me to be selected for the national recurve team.I won several national titles but it was not until 2000 that I started entering international tournaments, where I was successful in winning several medals.

It was in 2000 that I became interested in both coaching and judging. I had already attended several coaching seminars with well-known international instructors, following which I obtained a National Coaching Certificate, Level 2. This was followed by some World Archery coaching courses to become certified as “World Archery Level 1 Coach” in February 2021.

I now devote time to the archery school in Tahiti where I coach young children and also focus on training archers who are contenders for the national team.

I qualified as a National Judge in 2000 and have officiated in national tournaments in Tahiti. In December 2006 I was accredited as Oceania Continental Judge. From 2008 to 2021 I was an International Judge and officiated in several World Championships.

Patsy Vercoe

Secretary General, 2014-2018, 2018-2022, 2022-2026, New Zealand

My involvement of archery started in 2009 when my son brought home an “Archery in Schools” paper for our local club. In 2011 I became the club’s secretary, five years later I was elected onto the board of ArcheryNZ as the National Secretary. It was at this time that I attended the World Archery Oceania Congress in Auckland; it was here that I was elected as the Secretary General for WAO.

I have organised seven ArcheryNZ Indoor Nationals events hosted by our local club, along with being part of the Administration Team for ArcheryNZ Outdoor Nationals. 

My husband Tony and I started shooting in 2014, with Tony shooting recurve and me shooting compound. 

I have three adult children with one grandson.  For the last 29 years my work has been as care giver/support worker caring for all age groups in our community/hospital and residential homes, a role I find very rewarding.

For relaxation I enjoy sewing for my grandson, daughters and friends.

George Fong

Treasurer, 2020-2024, Fiji

I have been Treasurer of WAO since 2020. I joined the sport of Archery in 2004 as an athlete, became a member of the Executive Board of World Archery Fiji in 2014, and have held the position of President since 2019. I am a WA certified Level 2 coach, and have served as Team Manager to the Pacific Mini Games.

Regarding work, I have 12 years of experience as a software developer, and own a financial technology company, based in Suva. 

I have three sons who keep me busy, but in my spare time I enjoy reading, and am a huge fan of the science fiction and fantasy genres.