This is also the inaugural camp supported by PacificAus Sports, an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative that creates opportunities for Pacific teams, Athletes and officials to compete in elite competitions and access high performance training.  Their support comes through the 2025 Pacific Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games Partnership, a collaboration between the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), Paralympics Australia (PA) and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA).

The camp welcomes 59 individuals and provides targeted experiences for both able-bodied and Para athletes on track for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, alongside the development of coaches looking to build their skills, knowledge and leadership qualities. It will include medical screening and ongoing support, coach education sessions, performance and wellbeing support, sport specific training and cultural awareness opportunities for all participants. For Para athletes, it will also include an opportunity to compete at the Vanuatu Para Athletics Championships.

In 2025, four of the six GAPS camps will be organised by Commonwealth Sport and Griffith University with the support of Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) and the backing of PacificAus Sports.  Beyond Vanuatu, experiences will be held on the Gold Coast and in Samoa for Athletes and coaches competing in multiple sports including Athletics, Swimming, Bowls, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting.

This commitment from our stakeholders at the Oceania-based GAPS camps is invaluable and will deliver unprecedented support for the new wave of Athletes, Para athletes and coaches on their journey to Glasgow 2026 and beyond. These camps aim to not only achieve immediate goals around participation, qualification and classification for Glasgow 2026, but also the aspiration of maximising the participation and success of Pacific athletes at Brisbane 2032.

Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir CNZM said: ”With over 100 GAPS alumni competing in the last two Games, GAPS is reducing, removing and helping overcome the barriers Para athletes face on their journey into high-performance sport. Working collaboratively with inspirational partners helps us provide the skills, knowledge and access to resources Para athletes and coaches need to be free to excel in sport and in life. We are thrilled to see the GAPS programme continue to develop and flourish at the Vanuatu GAPS camp, and sincerely thank our sporting, academic and government partners in Vanuatu and Australia for their commitment, support and expertise.”

Commonwealth Sport Regional Vice President and CGA CEO, Craig Phillips AM said: “GAPS was established by Griffith University and Commonwealth Sport in the lead up to Gold Coast 2018 and we’re thrilled to see its work continue not just across our region, but around the world.

“The support of PacificAus Sports is critical to making our camps, workshops and other activities possible and together we are committed to delivering Athletes to the start line at major championships from Glasgow 2026 through to Brisbane 2032.

“We thank our partners in Vanuatu for their contribution to making this camp possible, including the Vanuatu Amateur Sports Association and National Olympic Committee and Vanuatu Paralympic Committee.

“Our gratitude also to the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia, without whom our continued and extensive work in Oceania across many years would not be possible.”

Griffith University Associate Professor, Clare Minahan commented: “One of the great legacies of the Games on the Gold Coast was GAPS and our continued involvement highlights our commitment to providing opportunities for inclusive sport and enhanced performance.

“We’re looking forward to this first workshop in Vanuatu, before welcoming Oceania to the Gold Coast and continuing our efforts in Tonga and Samoa.”