Papua New Guinea was represented by eight talented athletes and officials in the Oceania Gather, Adjust Prepare Sustain (GAPS) Camp held on the Gold Coast, Australia, from 14–20 September 2025.
The GAPS Program is an initiative aimed at developing emerging athletes and coaches by providing access to high-performance expertise that is unavailable in their home countries. The GAPS Program is proudly supported by the Australian Government through the PacificAus Sports Program which help to elevate Pacific athletes to elite sporting pathways.
Delivered by Commonwealth Sport in partnership with Griffith University, under the 2025 Pacific Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games Partnership, with funding support from the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports. The GAPS Camp brought together about 70 athletes and coaches from 10 Commonwealth nations and territories across Oceania.
Representing Papua New Guinea in Athletics and Para Athletics, the team included:
· Lakona Gerega – Athlete
· Patricia Kuku – Athlete
· Joy Tibea – Athlete
· Steven Abraham – Para Athlete
· Jerome Bunge – Para Athlete
· Regina Edward – Para Athlete
· Mike Smith – Official
· Jackie Travertz – Para Athletics Official
The program promotes inclusion and diversity, with a strong emphasis on creating pathways for women and Para-athletes. “I’m looking forward to the competitions at the end of the camp to see our performance and what we need to work on for our qualifying competition for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2026”, says Regina Edward, PNG Para athlete.
Beyond individual development, GAPS seeks to build sustainable sporting systems across the region, leaving a legacy that extends well beyond the camp itself.
Deputy Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Adrian Lochrin, said “Australia is proud to support the elite development of PNG and Pacific athletes. The GAPS program is a great initiative in providing world-class high-performance training for the athletes.
The program also fosters stronger people-to-people connections across PNG and the Pacific with Australia. GAPS plays a vital role in preparing athletes and coaches, both able-bodied and those in para sport, for elite competition, strengthening pathways for Pacific participants in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Ends.
Deputy Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Mr Adrian Lochrin (second from left) with the GAPS athletes and officials this afternoon.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100