Wāhine Toa Oceania
Pacific Women's Leadership through Sport
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Pacific Women's Leadership through Sport
Join a network of inspiring women across Oceania and discover how your experience in sport can drive meaningful change in your community, sport, and country.
The Wāhine Toa Oceania Programme is a unique leadership development experience designed for retired female athletes from across Oceania. The programme supports women to build on the skills they developed through elite sport and apply them in leadership, governance, coaching, advocacy, administration and community roles.
Through sport, you have learned resilience, teamwork, discipline, strategic thinking, communication, and how to perform under pressure. Wāhine Toa Oceania helps you recognise the value of these strengths and provides the tools, support and network to help you lead with confidence beyond competition.
Wāhine Toa Oceania is a growing community of inspiring women from across the Pacific who are committed to creating positive change within sport and their communities.
Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Wāhine Toa Oceania Programme.
We encourage prospective applicants to discuss their interest in the programme with their National Olympic Committee (NOC) before submitting an application. Ongoing support and endorsement from your NOC will help you make the most of the programme experience and opportunities available throughout the year.
Before applying, please take the time to read the information and guidelines below to ensure you understand the programme commitments, expectations, and selection process.
Ready to take the next step in your leadership journey?
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM
Wāhine Toa Oceania is for women who want to continue making a difference long after their competitive sporting careers.
You should apply if you:
Are a retired female athlete from an Oceania country who has represented your nation at the Olympic, Commonwealth or Pacific Games.
Want to use your experience in sport to make a positive impact in your sport, community, or country.
Are curious, open-minded, and keen to learn alongside women from diverse cultures, countries, and sporting backgrounds.
Have an interest in leadership and are motivated to create positive change.
Are willing to challenge yourself, reflect on your experiences, and grow your leadership capability.
Can commit to the programme requirements, including workshops, mentoring, online engagement, independent learning, and project work.
Have the support and endorsement of your National Olympic Committee.
Whether you're interested in governance, coaching, athlete advocacy, administration, community development, or another leadership pathway, Wāhine Toa Oceania can help you explore your potential and build the confidence to take the next step.
Wāhine Toa Oceania is a 12-month leadership journey designed to support meaningful personal and professional growth.
The programme combines residential workshops, online learning, mentoring, peer support, and an applied leadership project that allows participants to put their learning into practice within their own communities and sporting environments.
Participants are encouraged to engage fully throughout the year, support one another and contribute to a trusted learning environment where experiences, perspectives and ideas can be shared openly.
While the programme is rewarding, it requires commitment. We encourage applicants to consider their personal, family, work, study, and sporting commitments before applying. Our programme team will work closely with participants throughout the journey and provide support wherever possible to help them succeed.
The programme will involve travel, as workshops will be held in three different countries. This will require time away from home and full attendance at each workshop. As workshops are residential, participants will be required for the full four days, as evening sessions may also apply. Including travel time, each workshop will require a commitment of around a week.
Applicants should discuss the commitment with family, employers, sporting organisations, or support networks before applying, where relevant.
Participants will be asked to provide personal information, passports, dietary requirements, accessibility needs, and other logistical details by the requested deadlines to support programme planning.
Programme-related travel costs, workshop resources, accommodation, catering, and visa requirements will be covered, if there are any personal costs to be covered, these will be communicated in advance.
Once applications close, all submissions will be reviewed by the selection panel. As part of this process, applicants' National Olympic Committees will be contacted to confirm their endorsement and support. The panel will then shortlist up to 20 applicants, with shortlisted candidates potentially invited to a telephone interview. We will acknowledge receipt of your application and keep you informed throughout the selection process.