Badminton Fiji has had a change of President recently with Barry Whiteside stepping down after many years of service. Whiteside, a Fijian citizen, balanced his presidential duties with a career in banking, having the role of Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji until he retired in 2017. In 2018 he was awarded the Companion of the Order of Fiji medal for his work with the Reserve Bank of Fiji.
Amongst his badminton roles, a highlight includes accompanying the Fijian team as Manager to the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. A unique feature of Team Fiji was the inclusion of his two playing daughters, Karyn Gibson and Andra Whiteside and niece Danielle Whiteside.
With Barry Whiteside stepping aside, it has created an opportunity for someone new with a different perspective, fresh ideas and new goals to take over and further develop and grow Badminton Fiji.
As the saying goes “as one door closes another one opens”.
The newly elected President is 34-year-old Joe Gibson, who brings many years of badminton experience as a player, coach and Badminton Fiji committee member. Playing from the age of six years and now turning their hand to coaching, including attending the recent BWF Level 1 Coach Course for Pacific members in New Zealand, Joe is committed to the sport of badminton and it’s future. ‘I feel badminton has grown quite a lot in Fiji over the last two decades and I feel that I would be able to add to the progress that has been made and continue the awesome work Barry and the team have done over those years.’
Joe has a range of goals on the radar for Badminton Fiji which include being a more player focused Federation and giving players and teams further exposure and opportunities to compete at regional and international competitions. In the future, there is hope that Badminton Fiji will have increased resources for their players, coaches and development staff, creating a path for hosting international tournaments. Badminton Fiji has a significant base of players on which to build on, due predominately to the work of the Badminton Oceania Development Officer: Kum On Tarewa who was based in Fiji, a role which was in place for 4 years, finishing at the end of 2022.
Currently working as a freelance Social Media Rep and assisting small businesses, Joe believes they have the skills and passion to take Badminton Fiji to the next level, showing the global badminton community what can be achieved by a small island nation in the South Pacific. For Joe, an LGBTQI advocate, it is important as an athlete and sports administrator to incorporate the importance of equality across the board – everyone working together as one for the good of the game and its people.
Badminton Oceania extends their thanks to Barry for his many years of work and achievements for Badminton Fiji and welcomes Joe into their new role where we look forward to working collaboratively to “take Badminton Fiji to the next level”.
President of Badminton Fiji – Joe Gibson
