Powerful storytelling and tireless dedication earned Inclusive GymBad high honours at last night’s 2026 Team Up Folktale Oscars.
The Folktale Oscars is an annual celebration of powerful, real-life impact stories from the Australian Government’s Team Up programme. It brings the voices of the Pacific to the forefront. The event also spotlights the storytellers behind the camera. Through Folktale, they share their communities’ stories with creativity, purpose, and heart.
Out of five total nominations, the Inclsuive GymBad team successfully took home the awards for Most Outstanding Video and Best Series of Videos.
Joyce Koiari is the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the Inclusive GymBad programme in Papua New Guinea. Alongside her daily duties, she directs and creates impactful features through the Folktale storytelling platform. Joyce, a previous six-time award winner, says giving her community a voice makes every tireless reporting hour worthwhile.
“I spend many hours working on our Folktales, and although the process is challenging, the most rewarding part is hearing the raw and powerful stories from out athletes and participants,” said Joyce. “Their journeys move me deeply. They humble me, inspire me, and at times, bring me to tears.”
No success is an isolated effort, and as Joyce points out, the commitment often extends beyond the programme itself.
“Every Folktale success story reflects more than individual achievement—it is built on partners support, family encouragement, and the collective effort of an entire team working together behind the scenes,” she added.
Programme Manager, Laurel Vagi, and BOC Participation and Development Manager, Sam Kreutzer, accepted the awards on behalf of Inclusive GymBad.
