Touch legend is recognised for services to sport in Oceania

22 Jun 2022 @ 0:00 UTC

After a dedication to Touch spanning almost five decades and countless community and sports awards, including an Australian Sports Medal, long-time Secretary-General of FIT Bill Ker has been recognised for his services to Touch in one of the sport’s international
strongholds, Oceania.

Bill Ker (pictured) was awarded the prestigious Organisation of Sports Federation of Oceania (OSFO) Merit Award in recognition of his distinguished service to the sport of Touch within Oceania.

The prestigious OSFO Merit Awards for 2022 were presented at the 2022 OSFO Annual General Assembly (AGM) held in May in Nadi, Fiji.

Apart from Bill, Ric Blas (ONOC Secretary General), Andrew Minogue (Pacific Games Council), and Edwina Ricci, a member of the OSFO Executive, received merit awards.

Individuals who have contributed significantly to sports in Oceania are honoured with the OSFO merit awards Bill has an extensive background in growing the game of Touch and service across the Oceania regions. Bill’s involvement with Touch commenced as Vice President of Gold Coast Touch in 1976. 

His administrative career started with his appointment as Executive Officer of Queensland Touch from 1984 to 1994 and the CEO of Touch Football Australian (previously known as Australian Touch Association) from 1994 to 2005.

Bill’s contributions to Touch have been extensive, including serving on the World Cup events committee from 1995 to 2007. 

After joining the FIT Board in 1989, Bill became the world body’s Secretary General in 2013.

FIT Oceania Member Relations, Rhonda Togipau, who attended the AGM that was held virtually said, “On behalf of Bill and the Touch family, we thank you for this significant recognition of Bill’s long-serving tenure for the sport of Touch.

“It is an honour and privilege to receive this prestigious award”.

Established in Brisbane in March 2005, OSFO unites regional sports federations with the primary objective of representing their interests to ONOC, the IOC, governments, and other sporting stakeholders.

Based on the OSFO Merit Award criteria, Bill received his award for his long-serving distinguished service to Touch in the Oceania Region.

Bill said, “I am quite surprised by this award as I had no idea that Rhonda and FIT nominated me for this recognition.

“This is a thrill for me but more importantly it is the thrill for the game of Touch and FIT and this recognition underlines our expansion in the Oceania region.”

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