Koror, Palau - Varanisese Logavatu, OSEP's Chief Sport Education Programme Officer (Acting), emphasizes this interconnected approach to talent development. "….We go and look at the entourage around their potentials, and we ask questions on whether they have been trained. If they haven't, we note it down, because that's what we want to invest in," she explains. This philosophy recognises that raw talent without proper guidance often remains unrealised.

The talent identification process extends far beyond spotting fast swimmers or powerful weightlifters. Talemo Waqa, OSEP Mentor and high-performance specialist, brings decades of expertise to this comprehensive evaluation. "We are looking at both physical abilities and potential for growth, but also if such talents exist, we would also like to see the coaches – what kind of feedback that they are producing, what kind of message they are giving to the athletes that makes them better at competition level," Waqa notes.

This distinction between training and competition environments prove crucial. "So what we're looking at is, when they are competing, what kind of message is being relayed by the coaches," Waqa continues. The ability to perform under pressure often separates promising athletes from champions, and coaches play the pivotal role in developing this resilience.

Marica Togayali, OSEP's Data Administrator conducting athlete interviews, witnesses firsthand the disparities in coaching support across the region. "Some of the athletes I've interviewed don't really know what SNC [Strength and Conditioning] is or what a strengths and conditioning coach does," she reveals.

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Two-time Olympic champion Brian Goodell, involved in ONOC's Development Training Camps, understands the psychological dimension coaches bring to athlete development. "We have to help be that calming influence on these athletes and help them be peaceful about it and intentional," he advises. Drawing from his own experience winning gold at 17, Goodell emphasizes how coaches can either enhance or hinder an athlete's mental preparation. "You want to expand that comfort zone so that that environment is comfortable. I expect it. I thrive on it, as opposed to, gosh, I don't know what I'm feeling right now."

For athletes whose coaches lack OSEP certification, Waqa offers practical advice: seek additional learning opportunities and embrace the training camps and development programs available. "We want to know if coaches or management are able to attend an an international federation course if we organised one.  These are the types of information we are trying to capture in the surveys.," he explains, demonstrating OSEP's commitment to addressing these gaps systematically.

OSEP's comprehensive training portfolio addresses these challenges through structured pathways spanning community to national levels. Programs include Development Coach certification, National Team Manager training, Strength and Conditioning courses, and Sports in Communities Administration – each designed to professionalise the Oceania’s sporting workforce.

The talent identification program's ultimate success lies not just in discovering athletic potential, but in ensuring every identified athlete receives the coaching, management, and support structure necessary to realise their Olympic dreams. As Logavatu concludes, "We have to grow the capacity of the entourage – meaning the managers, the SNC trainers, the technical coaches. We need to invest in them." This investment in people supporting athletes may prove the most valuable legacy of Oceania sport development.

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For more information about the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, visit;

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