My name is Emma Berg and I have been selected to represent Australia in the Oceania Cup in Saipan, Northern Marianas on the 23rd and 24th of June 2023.

The Oceania Cup is the major athletics competition in Oceania for 2023. Oceania includes 20 athletics federations from throughout the Pacific. In keeping with Oceania Athletics Association policy, the event is being conducted at a major athletics complex in the island federations. In terms of area Oceania is the largest of the five regions in World Athletics albeit including many of the smallest federations from throughout the Pacific.

The event is essential as it is a World Athletics event for ranking points.

This competition is the 3rd time I have been selected for an Australian Team in Oceania plus the Australian Under 23 Development Team in 2022.

 Although Athletics Australia subsidises the expenses the majority is funded by the athletes, with an estimated cost of $4000. Plus additional expenses such as physiotherapy and gym for strength and conditioning. My coach although highly credentialed as a Level 3 World Athletics Coach is a volunteer.

To achieve this selection I have competed in National and State Championships and selected events outside of Bendigo at my own expense. This has included weekends in Geelong and Melbourne and the National Championships in Brisbane.

 I am the current National and State Open Women’s Shot Put Champion (3rd time National and 4th time State) and hold the Victorian Country Open Women’s Record. I am also currently ranked number 1 in Australia both on performance and World Athletics Rankings.

I see this competition as another “stepping stone” for my aim in 2026 to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Ballarat. World Athletics ranking points are an important factor in selection in major events and the event in Saipan is an opportunity not only to compete at a major regional event but also to gain valuable points.

 I have been competing in athletics for over 12 years initially with the Swan Hill Little Athletics and South Bendigo for the past 8 years and am coached by Peter Barrett

Currently, I live in Bendigo and juggle work in aged care, a La Trobe University nursing degree and training commitments. In 2022 I completed full-time study in nursing at the Victoria University of Polytechnic, Footscray.

 My athletics is self-funded. Any donations would be immensely appreciated and would be a huge help toward travel, physiotherapy, training and competition costs.