Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) Secretary General Geoffrey Halston has completed the first in-person session of the Executive Masters in Sport Organisation Management (MEMOS) — a year-long, IOC-supported executive programme delivered through Olympic Solidarity and hosted by leading universities worldwide.
Halston began the programme, MEMOS XXIX, in August, joining 35 students from National Olympic Committees (NOC's) , International Federations and sports organisations across the globe. He and David Lolo, CEO of the Vanuatu National Olympic Committee, were the only two Oceania representatives selected for this year's cohort.
"This is part of CISNOC's strategic value and commitment to "Tupuanga" — ensuring our staff are qualified, equipped and capable to serve our sporting community and nation at the highest level," Halston said. "The learning is theory and practical applied. Every module ties back to a real life examples NOC face and a final project specific to CISNOC's needs here in the Cook Islands."
The first session, held at the International Olympic Academy in Olympia, Greece, covered governance, strategic and financial management, and included the launch of an individual research project tailored to each participant's home organisation. The governance module covered the governance of Olympic sport organisations, values and ethics in Olympic sports organisations, strategic management and policy implementation, applied strategic management in practice, and emerging governance challenges. Lecturers included Dr Donald Rukare — President of Commonwealth Sport and President of the Uganda National Olympic Committee, Professor Leigh Robinson of Roehampton University, London (United Kingdom), and Prof. Francesc Solanellas of the Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC), Barcelona to name a few of the high quality global professors.
Halston said the setting added weight to the experience. "Delivering sessions at the International Olympic Academy in Olympia, steps from the site of the first ancient Olympic stadium and the resting place of modern Olympics founder Pierre de Coubertin, is something you feel every day you're there."
Beyond the formal curriculum, Halston highlighted the value of the network built with fellow NOC Secretaries General, CEOs, International Federation executives and professors. "Hearing how other NOCs are tackling the same governance, leadership, funding and capability challenges we face — and sharing our own approaches in return — has been one of the most valuable parts of the programme."
MEMOS runs over 13 months (August 2026 – September 2027), combining online learning with in-person sessions. Halston is expected to defend his individual project thesis before a jury of professors in September 2027. "It's an intense and demanding programme, and there are long days and nights on top of work, but its a deeply rewarding one," Halston said. "I'm grateful for CISNOC's Board support in pursuing this, and I look forward to bringing what I've learned back to strengthen governance and capability across our organisation and sports community.
