PNG Athlete

Everyday People: Margaret Aka

I’m also the first female in my country to hold an OFC B Licence and the first female to coach a team in our men’s National Soccer League.  

I am from the village Guhi in West New Britain Province and I come from a family of five siblings – three brothers and one sister.

My late parents raised me on the values of selflessness, kindness and respect.

In 2013, I was volunteering as a Grassroots and Youth coach and was appointed Just Play Project Manager the following year.

Melissa Maino – Through Passion And Motivation

I love to help out when and wherever I can so in my free time I like to help out at the ultimate women’s fitness group called Break a Sweat. I assist with training women because I love playing sports and staying healthy and fit.

I represented Papua New Guinea in Rugby Union and Canoeing. In 2015, I participated in the Pacific Games. After that I lived in Adelaide, South Australia for almost 2 years, and I played there as well.

When I returned to PNG, I was playing Rugby Union as an inside center, representing PNG Palais. Now I play with Casowari 15-a-side.