VASANOC HISTORY
A look back at our past and what we are all about.
WHO WE ARE
The Vanuatu Association of Sport And National Olympic Committee is first and foremost the National Olympic Committee of Vanuatu.
We are also the Commonwealth Games Association of Vanuatu, the Pacific Games Association of Vanuatu, the Vanuatu Association of French NOC`s and a member of the Association of National Olympic Committees and the Oceania Anti-Doping Organization.
WHAT WE DO
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR SPORT IN VANUATU AND UMBRELLA BODY FOR NATIONAL SPORT FEDERATIONS (NSF) OF VANUATU
VASANOC is recognized internationally & regionally by:
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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Vanuatu
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The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) as the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) of Vanuatu
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The Pacific Games Council (PGC) as the Pacific Games Association (PGA) of Vanuatu.
VASANOC HISTORY
The Vanuatu Association of Sport And National Olympic Committee has a long and colorful history. Here is a look at how far we have come since our humble beginnings and what we are all about.
VASANOC IS THE AUTHORITY FOR VANUATU’S PARTICIPATIOn IN THE FOLLOWING GAMES
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Olympic Games (OG) and Youth Olympic Games (YOG)
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Commonwealth Games (CG) and Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG)
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Pacific Games (PG) and Pacific Mini-Games (PMG)
THE VASANOC NAME
From 1991, VASANOC used to mean “ Vanuatu Amateur Sport Association and National Olympic Committee”.
After the completion of review of VASANOC Constitution in 2006, “VASANOC” was amended to mean “Vanuatu Association of Sport And National Olympic Committee” and in 2009, VASANOC confirmed the abbreviation and name accordingly with the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC).
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
The Vanuatu National Olympic Committee was established in March 1987 when IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch personally visited the country to officially inaugurate the NOC.
The founding Federations of the Vanuatu NOC were :
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Athletics
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Boxing
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Basketball
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Football
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Volleyball.
However at the time most sporting organizations in the country were fragmented and without proper coordination, as all came under the Government - sponsored umbrella body known then as the Vanuatu Amateur Sports Federation (VASF).
NATIONAL FEDERATIONS
In 1987 when the NOC was formed only 5 NFs were affiliated to it. Then in 1991 when VASANOC was formed, only 10 sports were affiliated to it.
Since then a total of over 25 NFs have been members of VASANOC.
Some of the Federations that exist in Vanuatu include: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cricket, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Kung Fu, Netball, Petanque, Rowing, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Rowing, Sailing, Squash, Surfing, Table-Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball and Weightlifting.
The sport structure is such that these Federations are organized into Associations, Leagues and Clubs through the six provinces and two municipalities depending on their human, financial and physical resources.
THE UMBRELLA
The National Sports Federations are autonomous bodies that operate under the umbrella of their own Constitutions and that of their regional and international Federations in close relationship with VASANOC in the organisation of their activities.
VASANOC is answerable to these NSFs and to ONOC and IOC by providing Annual and Audit Reports to these bodies annually after its AGMs.
VASANOC receives no funding from the Government for its daily activities but does request Government assistance for Team Vanuatu to the Olympics, Commonwealth and Pacific Games.
NEW CONSTITUTION
From 2003 to 2006, VASANOC underwent a review of it's Constitution and now has a new Constitution that makes it obligatory for National Federations to provide more information to become a VASANOC Member instead of just paying of subscription fees and providing annual reports.
One main feature of the membership requirements is the provision of evidence that each Federation is a properly established legal body and also the provision of Audited Reports and Development & Strategic Plans. Since then, VASANOC has amended its Constitution again in 2011 and will have another Constitution early in 2017.
VASANOC was instrumental in winning the Vanuatu bid to host the 1993 South Pacific Mini Games in Port Vila and played a major role in the organization of these very successful Games.
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT
VASANOC has been involved in many sports development programs in Vanuatu since its inception.
It maintains close liaison with the Government's Department of Youth and Sport and all National Federations in pursuing its activities.
VASANOC LEGAL STATUS
According to Article 1.2 of the VASANOC Constitution, VASANOC shall have jurisdiction for sport over all of the territory of Vanuatu and shall have its headquarters located within the boundaries of the capital city, Port Vila.
VASANOC is legally registered at the VFSC as a Charitable organization since 1999 in keeping with Article 1.3 of the VASANOC Constitution. It is a Non-Government Organization and a member of VANGO.
IOC MEMBERSHIP
When the Vanuatu NOC became a member of the IOC, problems began to develop between the two organizations due to differences in opinions, political interference in sport, managerial problems and a general misunderstanding of the responsibilities of government and non-government organizations in the administration of sport.
This unfortunate situation was finally resolved in 1990 when all National Sports Federations stepped in and with the assistance of both the IOC and ONOC, a proper constitution was adopted amalgamating the two sports organizations. In fact this was the first task undertaken at the inaugural Olympic Solidarity Sports Administration Training Program organized in Port Vila and facilitated by Mr Brian Wightman.
OUR CONSTITUTION
At the first Annual General Meeting in March 1991 the VASANOC Constitution was officially approved and adopted.
This Constitution was recognized by the Vanuatu Government, ONOC and the IOC.
This empowered VASANOC to become :
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The National Association of Sport for Vanuatu
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The National Olympic Committee of Vanuatu,
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The Commonwealth Games Association of Vanuatu
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The Pacific Games Association of Vanuatu.
VASANOC was also empowered to become exclusively responsible for Sport in Vanuatu, and for preparation and administration of Vanuatu's participation in the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Pacific Games.
Nine members are elected at the Annual General Meeting to serve a four year term on the Executive.
