OFC is thrilled to congratulate Tonga Football’s Just Play Media Officer Meleseini Tufui on her 2025 Team Up Folktales Oscar win.
Her winning video was nominated for Best Profile, which featured 12-year-old Just Play participant Folau Selui sharing what he had learnt about teamwork and using his voice to support others by participating in the programme.
The Just Play programme had three other nominations in this year’s Team Up Folktale Oscars: Dagu Nihara from PNGFA Just Play (Best Gender Story), Laumata Lafoga from Just Play Football Samoa (Most Improved Production), and Annie Rose Gere from Just Play Vanuatu (Best Showcase).
After being nominated for a Folktale Oscar in 2024, Tufui was delighted to go one step further this year.
“I honestly did not expect to win any awards this year, so I was surprised and excited at the same time to be part of the winning awards,” she said.
“This truly means a lot to our team, knowing that our work and storytelling matters.
“A huge shoutout to our team for all the effort and teamwork. Not forgetting our participants who were willing to share their voice in the Folktale. Heartfelt thanks to the Australian Government, Folktale and Team Up for their unwavering support. Malo!”
OFC Head of Social Responsibility Teeny Aiken has praised all the Folktale Oscars nominees and sport for development programme who shared their stories.
“Folktale videos are an incredible tool to amplify key messages of the Just Play programme, acknowledge the passion and work of staff and volunteers, and share stories from across our region. It’s fantastic to see our Just Play teams get more creative with their storytelling and see their productions highlighted on the international stage,” Aiken said.
OFC Just Play Programme Manager Lavenia Yalovi, a previous Oscar nominee and winner herself, was delighted for Tufui.
“Having the Just Play Programme nominated for four categories in the 2025 Team UP Oscar Awards is a milestone, and Meleseini winning the 2025 Best Profile award is a testament to Just Play’s impact in improving children’s and people’s lives in the Pacific through football,” she says.
“Meleseini’s rise through football from a young girl and participant of the programme to becoming a national representative, Just Play media officer, 2024 Pacific Games media officer, and now winning a 2025 Oscar award shows one example of a pathway or opportunity girls can access through football.
“Meleseini winning the 2025 Team UP Best Profile Oscar awards is a morale boost to other women and girls in the Just Play Programme,” Yalovi concluded.
The Team Up Folktale Oscars have been held annually since 2022 to showcase and celebrate the video storytelling work of Team Up partners, which includes OFC’s Just Play programme. The 2025 awards were livestreamed, and watch parties held at various hubs throughout the Pacific.