Team 19, the latest cohort of Oceania eqUIP Interns, recently participated in a dynamic three-day workshop in Brisbane, led by experts from Commonwealth Sport.
The program brought together seven emerging leaders, each representing their respective Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) from Australia, Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa.
The workshops focused on both personal and professional growth, equipping interns with the skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact within their CGAs with key themes throughout the sessions including creating collaborative partnerships, workplan creation and presentation, and building team environments.
“eqUIP is such a big opportunity for us interns,” said Anna Bumserg, the intern representing Vanuatu.
“I’m so excited. It’s such a good opportunity to have someone mentor you, have that connection to the network, and basically build on who you are.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by the other participants, with Tyla Singirok of Papua New Guinea highlighting the opportunity to ‘step into new waters and go after new experiences.’
“There are so many things (in the sport industry) that cross and intertwine, and it’s a really nice feeling to make something happen for our athletes and for other people so they can go overseas and represent us as a country.”
Throughout their internships, participants will take on a range of projects designed to enhance their sporting communities, playing a pivotal role in building capacity and driving progress within their CGAs. They will also stay connected and continue to support one another as they navigate their leadership journeys.
“We’re very fortunate that our team, Team 19, got along like a house on fire from the start. It made it really easy to learn and develop together, take on feedback, and grow,” Renae Jones of Australia said.
“I am looking forward to maintaining these connections, keeping in contact with everyone, and seeing where everyone ends up.”
Beyond the workshop sessions, participants had the chance to experience the cutting-edge world of elite sports at the Queensland Academy of Sport, gaining valuable insights into athlete training, sports science, and performance development. To round off their Brisbane experience, the group visited the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where they held a koala, attended a cultural show, and explored the sanctuary’s diverse wildlife.
“We got to see the koalas. I got to hold a koala; it was a really lovely experience,” Singirok said.
eqUIP is a Commonwealth-wide initiative dedicated to nurturing young leaders through internships and employment opportunities, empowering them to create positive change in their communities through sport.
