2025 Young Pacific Leaders Women's Sports Programme
Empowering Pacific Women in Sport: Young Pacific Leaders Women’s Sports Programme 2025
Women in Sport Aotearoa Ngā Wāhine Hākinakina o Aotearoa and Pasifika Sisters in Sport are thrilled to announce the return of the Young Pacific Leaders Women’s Sports Programme in 2025! Inspired by the Global Sport Mentoring Programme, this initiative aims to uplift emerging female leaders across Pacific Island nations through mentorship and cultural exchange. Proudly supported by the US State Department, this transformative opportunity fosters leadership, collaboration, and innovation in women’s sport.
Who Can Apply?
This programme supports women passionate about sport, physical activity, dance, and traditional physical practices from the following Pacific nations:
Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti/French Polynesia, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Aged 20–40 years.
Active involvement in sport or physical activities, either as a volunteer or in paid roles.
At least five years of experience contributing to initiatives supporting women and girls.
Passionate about driving systemic change and achieving positive outcomes.
Programme Details
Dates: Monday, 10 March – Saturday, 29 March 2025
(Travel: Saturday, 8 March – Sunday, 30 March 2025)
Location: Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland, New Zealand
Programme Structure:
Week 1: Leadership Development Residential Programme (with Women in Sport Aotearoa and Pasifika SiS).
Weeks 2–3: Cultural exchange and mentorship with host organisations.
Final Days: Presenting projects, sharing experiences, and wrapping up the programme.
Participants will also design actionable projects to implement in their home countries, with access to a contestable seed fund to kickstart these initiatives.
Inclusions
The programme covers:
Travel, accommodation, airport transfers, and meals.
Catering during the Residential Programme.
Note: Participants’ salaries are not included.
Contestable Seed Grant Fund
Participants may apply for funding to support projects aimed at advancing women and girls in sport or physical activities. A total of $20,000 NZD is available for distribution among the 14 participants.
Applicants must submit a detailed project proposal, including:
Target audience and goals.
Implementation plan.
Project budget and evaluation methods.
Supporting letter from a sport/physical activity organisation.
Grants will be awarded based on the quality and potential impact of submissions.
Online Information Sessions (Talanoa)
Join our online Information Talanoa Sessions to learn more about the programme:
30 October 2024 | 7:30 PM NZT
11 November 2024 | 7:30 PM NZT
Register here to receive the meeting link and further details.
Applications for the 2025 programme are now closed.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the US State Department for funding this empowering initiative.
