- ABC Karen Shrosbery
Vanuatu's Ellie Enock thought all her dreams were crushed following a catastrophic car accident nine years ago, but little did she know what sport would do for her. Now she is one of Vanuatu's best shot putters and javelin throwers.
Papua New Guinea's sprint queen Toea Wisil has a great story to tell. She is on the comeback trail and determined to maintain her title at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.
These incredible stories, and others, are told in a special podcast called 'Pacific WINS' which is supported by Australian aid.
The podcast follows a group of women from island nations and how they have risen to the top of their sport to compete at Samoa 2019.
The stories are told by Pacific female journalists from PNG, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa who themselves are ambassadors for women's sport in their countries.
The podcast reveals the impact that sport has had on the lives of the athletes.
Samoan Gabrielle Apelu is a coach and player in the male dominated rugby arena, she is using the games as a platform to push for gender equality.
"In the sports that we have now (in Samoa) there are at least eight women CEOs… it stands to reason that in the next ten or so years hopefully we will be on the same platform together as the men," she explains in the podcast.
This podcast also supports Pacific women to become sports journalists.
It is part of the Women in News and Sport Program (WINS) run by Australian Broadcasting Corporation's International Development team and is funded by the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The journalists took part in specially designed podcast training led by award winning Executive Producer Justine Kelly from ABC Audio Studios.
"From the moment the women came together in Samoa the project had a really special feel to it. They worked together, helped each other and by the end of the week had created a wonderful tribute to the great talent of the Pacific," Justine says.
Reporter Josephine Navula interviewed 26-year-old Ana Kaloucava for her episode. Ana is one of the fastest sprinters in Fiji. Josephine says she is proud of what she achieved and that podcasting was a new area for her.
"To be one of seven ladies from the Pacific to have done this first of its kind podcast in the region is really another milestone for me as a journalist".
'Pacific WINS' is breaking new ground, as podcasting is an emerging form of storytelling across the Pacific.
Eleanor Gee from Tonga says she was apprehensive about taking part in the project as she comes from a non-broadcasting background.
"I surprised myself at how quickly and willingly I learned to create a podcast and how much I enjoyed it and now I want to learn more."
'Pacific WINS' gives you a unique insight into the world of Pacific sport - from women's perspective and can be subscribed to where you get your podcasts from July 5th.
Produced by Dorcas Tindri, Dinnierose Raiko, Josephine Navula, Eleanor Gee, Lagi Keresoma, Adel Fruean and Brenda Daniel.
Executive Produced by Justine Kelly, Fiona Churchman and Karen Shrosbery.
