WOMEN in Sport Aotearoa (WISPA) and Pasifika Sisters in Sports (Sis) have selected 14 participants for the second cohort of the Young Pacific Leaders Women’s Sports Programme in New Zealand.

This unique mentorship and cultural exchange programme, supported by the U.S. Department of State, empowers young Pacific women working in sport, physical activity, and related fields.

The 14 women selected represent a diverse range of Pacific Island nations and come from various sports, including soccer, netball, athletics, rugby, and more.

Each participant is dedicated to making a difference in their communities through sport and leadership.

The Programme will run from March 09-29 in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Meet the Selected Participants:

Meet the Selected Participants:

Participant	Country	Sport (s)	Role	Sports inclusion
Esther Wendy Huruiia	Solomon Islands	Soccer	Project Accountant, Solomon Islands Water Authority	Esther is passionate about empowering women in soccer and leadership. She aims to inspire young girls to develop leadership skills both on and off the field.
Debbie Melsul	Vanuatu	Netball	Biology and Chemistry Facilitator, University of the South Pacific; Netball Convenor, Shefa Netball Association	A dedicated educator, Debbie is committed to empowering women and girls through sports and is eager to further develop her leadership skills.
Jackie Lorraine Travertz	Papua New Guinea	Athletics (Throws)	Former Athlete, Coach	Jackie has been a strong advocate for disability sports in Papua New Guinea. Her goal is to use sports as a tool for unity, growth, and empowerment of women and girls in her community.
Salote Sukakinamena	Fiji	Rugby League	Game Development Officer, NRL Fiji	Salote is passionate about empowering women in rugby and sports leadership. She sees this programme as an opportunity to grow and eventually mentor future leaders.
Aline Teumohenga	Tonga	Health and Wellness (General)	Doctor/Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Tonga	Aline is focused on transforming health outcomes and advocating for women and children, particularly addressing non-communicable diseases and mental health.
Jamie Haro	Papua New Guinea	Touch Football, Rugby Union	Sports Journalist (Freelance)	As a sports journalist, Jamie is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women in sports and using her platform to promote female inclusion in sporting media.
Lavelua Taulahi	Tonga	Netball	Technical Development Officer, Tonga Netball Association	Lavelua is committed to strengthening leadership and providing development opportunities for girls and women in her community through netball.
Aditamana Senirewa	Fiji	Physical Education (PE)	PEMAC Teacher, Ministry of Education	Aditamana’s work in schools focuses on empowering young women and promoting physical activity. She aims to inspire the next generation of female athletes and leaders.
Tutumanu Piuiki Mata’utia – Matalavea	Samoa	Field Hockey, Netball, Rugby	Quality Assurance Team Leader	As a national field hockey representative, Tutumanu is passionate about supporting women in sports and creating pathways for girls to lead and thrive.
Tanya Kalsakau	Vanuatu	Netball	Project Admin, World Bank Project (VCRTP)	Tanya serves as vice treasurer of Shefa Netball Association and is passionate about empowering women and girls in Vanuatu through sports and leadership.
Eskella Joseph	Marshall Islands	Basketball	Tourism Assistant, RMI Office of Commerce, Investment and Tourism	Eskella aims to increase female participation in basketball in the Marshall Islands, overcoming challenges like lack of equipment and facilities to support local athletes.
Matagali Limaalofa	Tuvalu	Community Youth Leadership	Civil Servant	Matagali is committed to empowering women and youth in Tuvalu. She believes that this programme will help strengthen her leadership skills to support social, economic, and cultural change.
Rabunatetaake Kevin	Kiribati	Various (General Advocate)	Assistant Administration Officer, Kiribati National Olympic Committee (KNOC)	Rabunatetaake works with the Kiribati National Olympic Committee and is passionate about advocating for women’s participation in sports at all levels.
Kathleen Kostka	Federated States of Micronesia	Swimming	Evaluator, Department of Health and Social Affairs	Kathleen is passionate about sports as a tool for community development and youth engagement. She actively supports the FSM Swimming Association and aims to empower young athletes.

About the Programme

The Young Pacific Leaders Women’s Sports Programme empowers emerging female leaders from the Pacific Islands. It focuses on sport and physical activity through mentorship and cultural exchange. The programme is now in its second year. It will run from 10 March to 29 March 2025 in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.

Participants will engage in a residential week focusing on leadership development. This is followed by a mentorship phase. During this phase, they will work with a host organization to implement a project in their home country. The Programme concludes with a final three-day gathering where participants will share their learnings and action plans for the future.

The programme is made possible by the generous support of the U.S. Department of State. It is part of the Young Pacific Leaders initiative. This initiative aims to strengthen leadership and networking in the Pacific.

“We are excited to support these 14 outstanding women. They represent the future of women’s leadership in sport across the Pacific,” said Nicky van den Bos, WISPA CEO.

“The Young Pacific Leaders Women’s Sports Programme provides a unique platform for these emerging leaders to grow. It enables them to connect with one another and create lasting change in their communities.”

Pasifika Sisters in Sport Co-Chair Candice Apelu Mariner said: “The Pacific Women’s Leadership Programme offers more than personal improvement. It also aims to foster broader leadership skills.”

It aims to create pathways for these emerging leaders. This helps them bring back tangible, lasting change to their communities.”

We empower these women with tools, mentorship, and networks. This support helps build stronger, more resilient sports cultures across the Pacific. They will return home not just as leaders, but as catalysts for the next generation of women in sport.”

“Sports as a platform can champion priorities like inclusion, youth empowerment, gender equality, health and wellness, and conflict resolution. We’re proud to support this program for Young Pacific Leaders!” – U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand, Tom Udall.

Women in Sport Aotearoa Ngā Wāhine Hākinakina o Aotearoa

Women in Sport Aotearoa (WISPA) is a charity that aims to transform society. It does this through leadership, advocacy, and research. WISPA ensures that all women and girls gain equity of opportunity. They can join, compete, and build careers in play, active recreation, and sport in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Pasifika Sisters in Sport (SiS)

Pasifika Sisters in Sport (SiS) is a culturally driven collective. The organizational vision is to create a leadership network of Pacific women and girls in sport. They aim to elevate, inspire, and advocate. They work to create equal opportunities at all levels. Additionally, they focus on holistic development outcomes in Aotearoa and Oceania.

Young Pacific Leaders (YPL)

Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) program is the U.S. government’s signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking in the Pacific.

Through a variety of programs and engagements including U.S. educational and cultural exchanges. Regional exchanges and seed funding are also included.

YPL aims to develop the leadership capabilities of youth in the region. It also seeks to strengthen ties between the United States and the Pacific.

YPL focuses on critical topics identified by youth in the region. These include education, environment, and resource management. They also focus on civic leadership, economic, and social development.