Amy Appointed To Key Role for Pacific Games

NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Board member and Olympic water polo bronze medallist Amy Hetzel Jones  has been appointed by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) as deputy Chef de Mission alongside Olympic champion kayaker Ken Wallace as Chef de Mission to lead Australia’s Solomon Islands 2023 Pacific Games team.

AOC President Ian Chesterman says the duo brings a wealth of experience.

“Ken and Amy are inspiring leaders and are all very passionate about the Olympic movement. The athletes selected for these Australian Teams travelling to the Solomons will really benefit from their example and their leadership.

“As Olympians, they know what it takes to succeed at the highest level and will use their experience to provide an environment that gives Australian athletes the opportunity to perform at their best on the international stage.

“I am thrilled to see Amy appointed to her first team leadership role with the AOC.”

Three time Olympian and 2008 gold medallist Ken said he welcomed the chance to return as Chef de Mission of Australia’s Pacific Games Team.

“This is a great opportunity for athletes to be part of a strong Australian multisport team culture on the world stage,” Ken said. “I’m looking forward to helping provide a supportive and inclusive team culture that will enable our athletes to perform at their best.

“With Paris 2024 quotas and world ranking points on offer, this will be a highly driven Team, competing in the friendly spirit of the Pacific Games.”

2008 Olympian Amy Hetzel Jones said she was excited to be part of the leadership team for Australia in Honiara.

“Every athlete knows the importance of team culture and the right environment to producing your best performance,” Amy said.

“I’m thrilled to be part of the leadership team to help give Australian athletes the best chance to achieve their goals at the Pacific Games in 2023.”

AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll emphasised the importance of regional Games to the promotion and development of the Olympic movement in Oceania.

“The AOC has always been a very committed member of the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) and we are delighted with the opportunity to compete at the Pacific Games next year.

“We continue to work with our Pacific friends as we did in 2021 in managing the Pacific Athlete project for the Australian Government, ensuring the Olympic and Paralympic athletes from Oceania could qualify, prepare and get to the Tokyo Games during the pandemic.

“The Brisbane 2032 Games are a home Games for all the athletes of Oceania, and the AOC is looking forward to working with the Australian Government in supporting our Pacific neighbours to achieve success at the Games and building a better world through sport.”

The Pacific Games will bring more than 3000 athletes from 24 Pacific nations together to compete across 24 sports from 17 November to 2 December 2023 in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Australia is expected to send a Team of around 75 athletes from eight sports – archery, athletics, beach volleyball, boxing, rugby sevens, sailing, taekwondo and weightlifting.

The Games will offer direct qualification opportunities for Paris 2024 in boxing and archery, while also providing vital world ranking points and international multisport competition opportunities across the sporting program.

Article courtesy of Australian Olympic Committee