A Samoan woman will get mentored by some big names in America's National Football League, thanks to a U.S. State Department-run program to empower women and girls worldwide.

Through the GSMP: Empower Women through Sports program, the participant gets to partner with the Entertainment and Sports Network Program Women (ESPNW) to spread the message of equality and opportunity.

Gabrielle Apelu, the founder and Director of Apelu Sports, is one of 16 delegates who flew to the States and will be there for several weeks to be a part of the mentorship program. It offers benefits such as increased confidence, better health, and improved academic success. 

She is not only passionate about sports but also focuses on the overall development of athletes through training, nutrition, and mental health support. 

“We hit the ground running and we got introduced and networked with U.S State Department representatives which was awesome because we got the [Assistant] Secretary of State as well," said Ms. Apelu. “What I wanted out of the program is for them to put me with people that can assist with what I feel Samoa is lacking in terms of marketing branding in the visibility of women in rugby league specifically because that is the area that I am in.

“It has been amazing and the resourcing is beyond anything that Samoa or even beyond NRL. With the Packers, I have been given an office and I have met with the football development department, sponsorships, event and field management. One of the best things about the Green Bay Packers is that they were the first team to have won the world championships which is now called the Super Bowl."

"This is to ensure the elevation of the women’s game in Samoa and how we can position women’s rugby league – as a set standard for the quality of players and athletes that can uplift the standard of play not just for women in the sport back in Samoa – but to create systems for our sports federations to improve their standards and quality of administration and players."

The delegation of 16 women all head out to the 16 different mentors and in Ms. Apelus' case, she is mentored by the Green Bay Packers and NFL films. Through the GSMP, she aims to learn from her peers and mentors, gain insights into sports programming, and explore business opportunities. She'll be mentored by Anne Duffy and Laura Lehman from NFL Films and Chris Cohorst and Nicole Ledvina of the Green Bay Packers.

The program also promotes leadership and tolerance and challenges stereotypes. Girls who play sports have higher education and employment opportunities. The program aims to provide girls with these benefits and foster a more inclusive society.

By engaging in sports, girls can develop new networks, establish identity, and access new opportunities. Sports diplomacy brings people together and transcends borders, promoting understanding. This initiative strives to create positive social change and pave the way for a more equitable world.