Six local leaders have been officially certified under the Oceania Sport Education Program (OSEP), enhancing Tonga’s ability to deliver high-quality sports education.
The Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) awarded Master Educator status to Salote Sisifa, CEO of the Tonga Netball Association; Uinita Tauhalaliku of Tonga Netball; and Tavake Fangupo, General Manager of NRL Tonga.
As Master Educators, they are now accredited to deliver and assess specialised OSEP courses and mentor future educators, ensuring sustained leadership and technical capacity within Tonga’s sports system.
Lavelua Taulahi of Tonga Netball, Maikolo Fonua, and Siu’ivahamama’o Fangupo were also certified as Educators, qualifying them to deliver key community-level OSEP courses that build foundational skills for coaches, officials, and administrators.
Tonga Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) Secretary General and CEO Netina Latu Vea highlighted the importance of local leadership in sports development.
“These individuals are now better equipped to strengthen sports systems across Tonga,” she said. “This aligns with TASANOC’s broader goals of promoting quality, inclusive, and sustainable sport development at both grassroots and elite levels.”
This certification marks a major milestone in Tonga’s sport education development since its last round of OSEP training in 2019.
OSEP, established by ONOC in collaboration with the Australian Sports Commission and the Organisation of Sports Federations of Oceania, aims to build the capacity of Pacific-based coaches, administrators, and trainers through a regional approach.
TASANOC continues to work in partnership with national federations, government agencies, and the International Olympic Committee to support athlete development, sport education, and Olympic values, committed to building a strong, inclusive, and sustainable sports system that benefits all Tongans.
