UPDATED: Valerie Adams, New Zealand’s first appointed Sports Ambassador to the Pacific has arrived in Tonga this afternoon and was expected to leave for Samoa on Wednesday.
Adams would conduct coaching clinics with up-and-coming and elite athletes, promote healthy lifestyles and encourage participation in physical activity while she was in the two island nations.
While in Tonga the public were invited to join her in a “Just Play Festival” at the ‘Atele Indoor Stadium on October 31 at 3pm and also a “Coach Clinic” at Teufaiva Stadium for up and coming athletes on Tuesday 1 November at 9.30am.
“Just Play” is a New Zealand Aid Programme funded activity, targeting Pacific Island Countries, promoting healthy lifestyles.
“Adams will conduct coaching clinics with up-and-coming athletes, speak with elite athletes, attend a ‘Women in Leadership Advocacy Programme’, and visit New Zealand-funded projects including the National Health Service health facility, and a Community health project”, New Zealand High Commission Office said.
While in Samoa she will also meet with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, prominent sportswomen and administrators, plus be the guest speaker at a NZ High Commission reception.”
Members of the public have been invited to observe a coaching clinic at 2.30pm on Friday 4 November at Apia Park for up-and-coming athletes.
A cocktail reception had been organised by the Tongan High Commission in Tonga to welcome Miss Adams this evening Monday 31.
New Zealand High Commissioner, HE Sarah Walsh said that Valerie’s sporting success is celebrated in both New Zealand and Tonga.
“She is a New Zealander with family ties to Tonga and is a great role model for all of us. Her visit to Tonga will help promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle for youth and community more broadly. She will also be an inspiration for high performance and up-and-coming athletes, supporting them to go to next level of competition.”
Pacific Sports Ambassador
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced Valerie Adams as New Zealand’s first Pacific Sports Ambassador.
“The new role of Pacific Sports Ambassador will allow New Zealand to further develop our strong sporting links with the region,” Mr McCully says.
“Valerie Adams is uniquely qualified to carry out this important role. She has strong connections to the Pacific through her Tongan heritage and is one of New Zealand’s most successful and admired athletes.
“In addition to winning two Olympic gold medals in the Shot Put, she is a four-time World Champion. Valerie was named New Zealand’s Sportswoman of the Year for seven consecutive years, from 2006-2012, and most recently won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“The development of this new role follows several years of New Zealand’s active involvement in the sports sector in Pacific countries and complements the ties that exist between New Zealand and the Pacific.
“This includes the Government’s recent announcement of a $10 million Pacific Sporting Partnerships programme aimed at getting more children in Pacific countries playing organised sports.”
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