The whistle has blown for the 2023 Kicks 4 Kokoda Program

Last week, the Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF) concluded its Kicks 4 Kokoda (K4K) tournaments in Kokoda, Kebara, and Beuru, marking the successful culmination of this year's K4K program. In 2023, KTF celebrated a milestone with a record-breaking participation rate, supporting more than 300 enthusiastic young participants, aged 12-19, to participate in the program, which was supported by a dedicated team of 16 volunteer coaches.

Spanning nine weeks, the K4K program provided an enriching soccer experience to its participants, focusing not only on physical well-being but also on instilling vital life skills. These encompassed education about available healthcare resources, informed decision-making regarding health matters, fostering effective communication, and championing gender equality – all while fostering enjoyment and promoting fitness through the joy of playing soccer.

K4K participants are split into four teams representing the Olympic values of Honesty, Excellence, Respect and Openness. In the Kokoda tournament, after 14 rounds of nail-biting matches, Team Excellence emerged victorious, 3-0. In Kebara, Team Excellence claimed victory after an intense penalty shootout with Team Respect, resulting in a 3-1 score. In Beuru, Team Respect claimed the trophy after beating Team Honesty 2-0. Throughout the events, a KTF health testing booth was open to the whole community.

The tournaments featured special appearances from nine Olympic and nationally ranked athletes at the top of their field, including Hussin Lowah, Mirriam Lola Ilumpui, Mirriam Stanley, Lera Kose, Winnie Mavara, Laizani Soma, Dornah Longbut, Rutha Omenefa and Basil Jofari, who represented a diverse range of sports including karate, hockey, netball, boxing and soccer. These professional athletes shared their experiences about the sporting code they represent through the Olympic Value Education session, officiated games and engaged in fun games with attendees.

Dr. Gen Nelson, KTF’s CEO said, “The tournament is such an important and exciting event for the Kicks for Kokoda program and the broader community. Utilising sports and role models to support young people to adopt health-seeking behaviours and gain valuable education about sexual and reproductive health is critical to the program.”

A recent evaluation of the Kicks 4 Kokoda program demonstrated the positive and tangible results that the program has had on shifting attitudes and behaviour related to gender roles, equality and healthy decision-making.

  • There was a 79% increase in participants understanding that condoms are the only contraceptive method that protects against pregnancy and STIs

  • The rate of participants who understood that people who abuse alcohol are more likely to engage in risky behaviours increased by 103%

  • There was a 55% increase in participants knowing where to get support services for themselves or someone else on contraceptive use

  • Participants confidence in making their own informed decisions about their sexual health increased by 44%

  • There was a 40% increase in the belief that boys and men should share household chores, such as cooking and fetching water

  • There was an increase of 42% of participants believing that it is not okay for a man to hit his girlfriend

  • There was an increase of 54% of participants knowing where to access support services for themselves or someone else, for gender-based violence or rape 

  • Confidence in how to effectively communicate with the opposite sex increased by 38%

  • There was a 42% increase in the belief that you don’t always have to do what people expect because they are a girl/boy

The Kicks 4 Kokoda is a vital locally-led program that is effective in improving attitudes and behaviours that promote equality and at the same time empowers participants to make health-seeking choices especially when it comes to sexual and reproductive health. Through this program, participants become game changers in their homes, schools and communities that are positive forces of change.

The Kicks 4 Kokoda program is generously supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) via the Team Up Program and delivered in partnership with the PNG Olympic Committee and Grassroot Soccer.


IMPACT STORIES, GEDSICherry O'Brienstories of change