Eskella Joseph, a young leader from the Marshall Islands, is using basketball to empower her community and has been announced as a participant in the 2025 Young Pacific Leaders Women's Sport Programme.
“I was overwhelmed with excitement and disbelief,” Eskella said after finding out she was selected for the program. “I am still a little bit in disbelief to be selected as one of 14 participants in the region, it is very surreal.”
Passionate about using basketball to promote gender equality and social inclusion, Eskella has been involved in several initiatives to empower young women and girls through basketball in the Marshall Islands.
Through this leadership program, Eskella aims to develop a basketball program for young women in her community. She is also working to raise awareness about the importance of gender equality and social inclusion in sport.
“I am filled with excitement, and I look forward to being surrounded by my pacific sisters who share the passion as me in finding ways to develop women in sports in their respective countries,” Eskella said. “I hope to achieve a deeper understanding of how leadership works within the sports setting, particularly empowering women and young female athletes.”
Using basketball to promote gender equality and social inclusion in her community, she wants to create a safe and inclusive space for young women to play basketball. She is also aiming to provide them with leadership training and skills development opportunities on island.
“The future of basketball in the Marshall Islands is bright and we are thrilled to have someone like Eskella, putting up her hand to elevate women in basketball within the community,” FIBA Executive Director – Oceania, Amanda Jenkins said. “Her commitment to Women in Basketball will be further enhanced through this program, and other initiatives supported by PacificAus Sports over the coming years.”
Having taken part in the FIBA Oceania 3x3 High Performance Camp as a coach in 2024, Ms Jenkins highlighted the importance of ongoing support, education, and training to further empower women in basketball through Basketball For Good initiatives.
Women in Sport Aotearoa Chief Executive Officer, Nicky van den Bos, said that the 2025 edition of the Women’s Young Pacific Leaders in Sport Program will support participants to develop their own personal leadership styles and further inspire positive change in their own communities.
"We are delighted to be able to welcome 14 exceptional women from across the region from various sports and communities including Eskella, who we believe will gain and add immense value to this programme including with her host organisation team"," Ms van den Bos said. "We cannot wait to see what she is capable of implementing using basketball in her community for young women and girls."
Basketball for Good in the Marshall Islands is supported by FIBA, the Australian Embassy in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Sport and Extracurricular Program, and Marshall Islands Basketball Federation.
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About Women in Sport Aotearoa
Women In Sport Aotearoa (WISPA) is a charity that exists to transform society through leadership, advocacy and evidence, ensuring that all women and girls gain equity of opportunity to participate, compete and build careers in play, active recreation and sport in Aotearoa New Zealand. WISPA on behalf of the State Department supports development of Pacific female leadership through cultural exchange initiatives in partnership with Pasifika SiS – Sisters in Sport.
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About PacificAus Sports
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high performance coaching in Australia and internationally. The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of Pacific sports, with funding split evenly between women and men. PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television’s ‘That Pacific Sports Show’ and ABC Radio’s ‘Fresh Off the Field’. The high-performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s Team Up program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific. For more information about PacificAus Sports and its initiatives, visit www.pacificaussports.gov.au and follow PacificAus Sports on Facebook.