Service is a responsibility, a calling, and a way to protect the next generation.

Shirley Emberson

Shirley has seen firsthand what can happen when young people are given guidance, purpose, and the chance to believe in something greater for their lives. Her heart for OOCSA is rooted in helping youth feel supported, anchored, and empowered to build a future with confidence.

Through OOCSA’s skills workshops, community programs, and Loloma Box initiative, Shirley has helped create pathways for young people and vulnerable families across the islands. Her work reflects a belief that support should not only meet immediate needs, but also create long-term change.

For Shirley, the outrigger is more than a sport. It is a symbol of discipline, teamwork, cultural identity, and connection to the ocean. It offers young people a powerful metaphor for life: learning how to move together, stay steady, and keep going even when the waters are difficult.

One of the most meaningful parts of this work has been seeing unemployed youth sponsored by OOCSA to attend skills workshops. Young people received official certifications, gained confidence, and began building pathways toward employment, purpose, and independence.

Shirley’s vision is to see the young people of the islands anchored in faith, proud of their cultural identity, and empowered with skills that lead to sustainable futures.

Glen Emberson

Glen’s heart for OOCSA began with a deep concern for the children and youth of the islands. As challenges within the community continued to grow, Glen and Shirley knew they could not simply stand by and talk about change—they had to help create it.

As parents, they were deeply aware of the pressures young people were facing. With the internet expanding quickly into daily life and concerns around abuse, drugs, and lack of guidance rising, Glen saw the need for safe, meaningful pathways that could support and protect the next generation.

Instead of focusing only on the problems, Glen looked at what the community already had: the ocean, the canoes, the culture, and the strength of the people. Through OOCSA, he saw an opportunity to bring young people together through discipline, teamwork, cultural tradition, and purpose.

Glen’s story is one of action. His support helped shape OOCSA into a platform where youth could find guidance, belonging, and a stronger sense of direction.

Gabrielle Simson-Frank

People often ask Gabi why she is so passionate about giving back to Fiji. For her, the answer is deeply personal. Fiji has given her family countless gifts—lessons in humility, joy, community, faith, and what it truly means to live a rich life.

Her deepest reason goes back to 2019. During a trip to Ovalau, Gabi’s son Jonah and two young Fijian men, Buli and Jerry, were thrown from one of her boats while traveling across the Koro Passage between Wakaya and Ovalau. For hours, she searched desperately with other boats and a rescue plane, fearing the worst. Eventually, the boat was found drifting empty in the ocean.

Then the entire community came together. People prayed. Boats from Ovalau and nearby islands searched tirelessly. After eight long hours swimming in the deep blue, Jonah, Buli, and Jerry made it back to Wakaya alive. It was nothing short of a miracle.

In 2020, Glen and Shirley asked Gabi to become the patron of the Ovalau Outrigger Canoe & Sailing Association. She said yes without hesitation, because serving Fiji had become more than a role—it had become her mission.

For Gabi, OOCSA is her way of giving back to the country and people who showed her family love, unity, faith, and hope when they needed it most. Her leadership carries the belief that when a community comes together, lives can be protected, transformed, and remembered.

Roy Terence Fiu

With more than 20 years of experience as a primary school teacher across Fiji, Roy Terence Fiu has dedicated his life to educating, guiding, and encouraging young people. Originally from Rotuma, Roy has spent the past nine years teaching in Levuka, where his commitment to service extends far beyond the classroom.

Roy joined OOCSA as a volunteer in 2019, inspired by a deep desire to preserve Fiji’s maritime heritage and strengthen the connection between culture, community, and future generations.

For Roy, outrigger canoeing and sailing represent Fiji’s history, identity, resilience, and relationship with the ocean. Through OOCSA, he helps organize training sessions, maintain canoes, support competitions, and encourage participants from both the shoreline and the water.

His experience has reinforced the importance of perseverance, teamwork, unity, and service. Roy believes every contribution—no matter how large or small—plays an important role in keeping these traditions alive.

His vision is to see Levuka become a thriving center for outrigger canoeing and sailing, where young people can connect with their heritage, care for their environment, and carry these traditions forward with pride.

George, Katherine & Katrina

For more than 20 years, George, Katherine, and Katrina have been deeply connected to sport and volunteer work in Sydney, Australia. What began as a lifelong passion for athletics grew into a commitment to using sport as a way to serve, uplift, and strengthen communities.

Their connection to OOCSA is rooted in the belief that sports can open doors, build confidence, and create opportunities far beyond the field or water. Through the Sydney Link, they have helped bring first aid and spinal injury training, along with certification, to communities across Ovalau, Makogai, and Moturiki.

Hundreds of community members from all three islands participated in the workshops and received accreditation. Their work is about creating pathways through education, safety, teamwork, and community collaboration.

Their hope is to continue working alongside local programs, volunteers, community leaders, and government partners to support OOCSA’s growth. They bring a spirit of service that reflects what OOCSA is truly about: people helping people.

Pastor Paul

Pastor Paul’s work with OOCSA reflects the powerful connection between sport, mentorship, and spiritual leadership. He uses sports as more than an activity; he uses it as a pathway for youth development, character building, community transformation, and discipleship.

With both technical experience and a heart for service, Pastor Paul helps create safe, purpose-driven spaces where young people can grow in confidence, discipline, teamwork, and faith. His leadership reminds youth that they are capable of more than they may believe.

Through his ongoing connection to OOCSA, Pastor Paul continues to support a mission rooted in protection, empowerment, and positive opportunity. His presence brings encouragement, structure, and spiritual grounding to the young people he serves.

His impact is a reminder that sports can become a powerful tool for healing, connection, and transformation when led with love, purpose, and a strong sense of faith.

Niki Behzadi

Niki serves OOCSA as a Board Member and Secretary, bringing together her background in psychology, communications, youth mentorship, and creative brand development to help grow the organization’s mission with purpose and heart.

With years of experience working with children and teens, Niki is deeply passionate about creating safe spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and empowered. Her work is rooted in mental health awareness, emotional growth, substance abuse prevention, confidence-building, and helping youth recognize their own strength.

Niki helps shape the voice, visuals, storytelling, and outreach behind OOCSA. She believes every nonprofit needs more than a mission; it needs a heartbeat, a story, and a way for people to truly feel connected to the work.

For Niki, OOCSA is personal. It represents community, healing, culture, service, and the power of showing up for something bigger than yourself.