There is now a legal duty on local authorities to provide free items such as tampons and sanitary pads to "anyone who needs them". Products will be distributed through councils and education providers as the Period Products Act comes into force. MSPs unanimously approved the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill in November 2020. The bill was introduced by Labour MSP Monica Lennon, who has been campaigning to end period poverty since 2016. She said: "Local authorities and partner organisations have worked hard to make the legal right to access free period products a reality. "This is another big milestone for period dignity campaigners and grassroots movements which shows the difference that progressive and bold political choices can make. "As the cost-of-living crisis takes hold, the Period Products Act is a beacon of hope which shows what can be achieved when politicians come together for the good of the people we serve." What is period poverty? Period poverty is when those on low incomes can't afford, or access, suitable period products. With average periods lasting about five days, it can cost up to £8 a month for tampons and pads, and some women struggle to afford the cost. Georgie Nicholson, of social enterprise Hey Girls, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland, period products should be as accessible as toilet roll in public bathrooms. Ms Nicolson said: "There's a very simple way to describe period poverty: you go to the supermarket and you have to actually choose whether you can buy a bag of pasta or a box of tampons. It's that basic. "We hear of a lot of mothers going without their period protection just so they can feed their children and using things such as newspaper stuffed into socks or bread... because they're cheaper than period products." In 2018, a survey of more than 2,000 people by Young Scot found that about one in four respondents at school, college or university in Scotland had struggled to access period products. That year, the Scottish government made history by becoming the first in the world to make period products free to students. Since it launched the scheme, another Young Scot survey found that two-thirds of respondents had received free period products from their school, college or university in the past year. Of those who accessed the free products, 84% said the scheme had a positive impact on them. As well as period poverty, researchers say period stigma is also an issue for young girls, with the majority feeling embarrassed when buying menstruation products. The impact on education is also an area the bill aims to tackle - with researchers finding 64% of girls surveyed in the UK have missed school because of their period. Research showed that 13% had missed an entire school day at least once a month, 34% were worried about leaking and 22% had anxiety linked to periods. What difference will the bill make? The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill puts a legal duty on local authorities to ensure anyone who needs period products can obtain them for free. It will be for the country's 32 councils to decide what practical arrangements are put in place, but they must give "anyone who needs them" access to different types of period products "reasonably easily" and with "reasonable dignity". The scheme is operational from 15 August. The Period Products Act says obtaining the free period products should be neither "complex nor bureaucratic". Items should be freely accessible from council or educational institutions, without people having to ask for them. They should not have to justify why they need them or the amount that is needed. There should also be no forms to complete and no other information required for people to access the products, unless it is needed for design or postal delivery. As part of wider work to tackle the stigma around menstruation and period products, the act says responsible bodies should consider the importance of normalisation and visibility. Offering a dignified response does not necessarily require hiding products away. The bill was passed on 24 November 2020 after the Scottish government proposed significant amendments. What has already been done to tackle period poverty? Since 2017, around £27m has been spent to provide access in public settings. The Scottish government made history by becoming the first government in the world to make period products free to students when the scheme began in 2018. In some places, including a number of pubs and restaurants, products are already provided free of charge by the owners. This is a gesture of goodwill rather than a requirement. What happens elsewhere? The UK government has its own period poverty taskforce, with the primary aim of tackling stigma and education around periods. It also wants to improve the accessibility of period products. Free period products were rolled out in all primary and secondary schools in England in January 2020. And a handful of US states have passed laws mandating free period products be provided in schools. Tampon tax The 5% rate of VAT on sanitary products - known as the "tampon tax" - was scrapped in January 2021. EU law required members to tax tampons and sanitary towels at 5% since 2001, treating period products as non-essential. The UK was able to get rid of the tax following Brexit, when it was no longer subject to European Union regulations. Before leaving the EU, the UK government had started putting money raised from VAT on period products into a Tampon Tax Fund, which was used to support organisations and charities. It came about after the Stop Taxing Periods campaign, started by Laura Coryton, attracted over 320,000 supporters and worldwide attention. A number of other countries have lowered or scrapped taxes on period products - including a dozen states in the US and countries including Kenya, Canada, Australia, India, Colombia, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Nigeria, Uganda, Lebanon and Trinidad and Tobago. Source: BBC.com

A tennis fan is taking legal action against Nick Kyrgios after he accused her of being "drunk out of her mind" during his defeat in this year's Wimbledon final. Anna Palus said the 27-year-old Australian had defamed her by making "a reckless and entirely baseless allegation". "Not only did this cause considerable harm on the day, resulting in my temporary removal from the arena, but Mr Kyrgios's false allegation was broadcast to, and read by, millions around the world, causing me and my family very substantial damage and distress," she said in a statement released by her solicitors. Kyrgios, well known for his outbursts, complained to the umpire during his match against Novak Djokovic, saying that a fan had been talking to him during points. Asked by the umpire to identify the fan, Kyrgios said: "The one with the dress. The one who looks like she's had about 700 drinks, bro!" Ms Palus has instructed her solicitors to begin legal proceedings against Kyrgios and said any damages she may win would be donated to charity. "I hope that Mr Kyrgios will reflect on the harm he has caused me and my family and offer a prompt resolution to this matter," she said. "However, if he is unwilling to do this, I am committed to obtaining vindication in the High Court." Kyrgios was appearing in his first grand slam final and took the first set against Djokovic but lost his cool as he headed to a four-set defeat on centre court. Source: ABC News

With the National elections over, and some clarity at last on the PNG Games, Athletics PNG has revised and updated its 2022 Calendar of events as it heads into a busy period of domestic competitions. “With so many international events from June to August as well as the elections, it was always the plan to hold our National and Regional Championships in the second half of the year”, said Secretary Philip Rehder. However the big unknown was the PNG Games and now that is definitely off this year it clears the way for us to hold the PNG Air National Championships in December again. ”This timing worked well for us in both 2020 and 2021 and we are looking forward to another successful championships in Port Moresby from 9 to 11 December”. Some additional competitions will be organised in the lead up to the Championships to assist athletes in their preparations. The National Sports Institute is gearing up to host the PNG Air Highlands Regional Championships this weekend and Port Moresby will again host the PNG Air Southern Region Championships on the weekend of October 1 and 2. Discussions are ongoing with representatives in the NGI Region to finalise the arrangements for the Championships there, following the announcement this week of ENB plans to host a Regional Youth Games at the same time. Apart from the Pacific Games in Honiara, athletes have a number of other international events to look forward to next year, including the Melanesian Championships in Nadi. Oceania Athletic Association has decided to combine the Polynesian and Melanesian Championships to boost the quality of both events. PNG will be sending both male and female athletes to the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst in February and there will also be World Championships (both indoor and outdoor); World Relays; and a Commonwealth Youth Games. With the announcement this week that the 2023 PNG Games will be held in Port Moresby during the second term holiday, Athletics PNG will need to give some consideration to the timing of the National Championships, as these two events will obviously have a significant bearing on the selection of the team for the Pacific Games in Honiara.

Police Commissioner David Manning yesterday reintroduced the Commander rank of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary when promoting Superintendent Steven Francis to the rank of Commander and Chief of Staff to the Commissioner of Police.  This position replaces the current Executive Officer to the Commissioner of Police.  Mr Manning said the Commander rank was reinstated in light of recent internal security challenges and greater need for security coordination. Mr Manning said Superintendent Steven Francis has over 30 years of experience in security policy and planning both in the local and regional settings and was only fitting for him to be bestowed with the Commander rank to head reforms within the constabulary and line agencies. “The Commander rank is made more relevant by the recently announced National Government ministerial reforms aimed to give more prominence to vital economic sectors and internal security,” Mr Manning said. The Commander rank falls between the Assistant Commissioner rank and Chief Superintendent as the Chief of Staff in charge of the staff officers’ and the Constabulary Corporate Plan. Commander Francis thanked Commissioner Manning for believing in him and for his vision to reform the constabulary given the current internal and external security challenges. Also appointed Aide-De-Camp (ADC) was Inspector Silas Kuaino.

The 2022 Digicel Cup season will head into round 17 this weekend ending the regular rounds before the finals series. Round 17 will kick off with the final home game for the West New Britain Provincial Kimbe Cutters as they prepare to take on Kroton Hela Wigmen on Saturday 27th August 2022 at 2pm at Sir Peter Humphrey’s Oval. The match in Minj intended as a home game for the Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles versus the Agmark Rabaul Gurias has been moved to Port Moresby. The Eagles and Gurias match has been scheduled as the second match of the triple header in Port Moresby this Sunday at the Santos National Football Stadium at 1pm as the day will be kicked off with the Moni Plus NCDC Port Moresby Vipers going up against Bintangor Goroka Lahanis at 11am. The main match of the day will see 6th placed Central Provincial Government-backed Central Dabaris take on the 5th placed Enga Provincial Government-sponsored Enga Mioks at 3.30pm in the battle to remain in the top 6. In Lae, the Lae Rugby League Ground will host a double header on Sunday as the Lae Snax Tigers will go head-to-head with Jiwaka Provinicial Government Waghi Tumbe at 12.30pm followed by the main match between PRK Mendi Muruks and PRK Gulf Isou at 3pm. Muruks are favorites to take out the minor premiership with a stiff challenge coming from the Gurias. “I would like to thank Naming Rights Sponsor Digicel and Platinum Sponsor SP Brewery for supporting the semi-professional rugby league competition,” said Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition Manager Mr Ora Gairo. Mr Gairo also went on to thank airline partners PNG Air and Air Niugini, as well as accommodation partners, and support sponsors Moni Plus and Peuna for the continuous support to the competition despite the season being impacted by the 2022 General Elections.

The Santos Papua New Guinea Orchids squad for this year’s Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) in England will feature 11 debutants and just four players who competed at RLWC2017, as head coach Ben Jeffries looks to nurture talent that can represent PNG women’s rugby league at the highest level for years to come. Two-thirds of the squad, which has an average age of 25, is based in PNG across three regions (Southern, Highlands and Northern) while four players have current or recent experience in the NRL women’s competition (NRLW) – Elsie Albert (currently at St George Illawarra Dragons), Jessikah Reeves (Brisbane Broncos last season), Shellie Long (St George Illawarra Dragons last season) and Therese Aiton (Parramatta Eels last season). The returning RLWC2017 players in the squad are Carol Humeu (Southern), Gloria Kaupa (Highlands), Shirley Joe (Northern) and Vero Waula (Southern).   “It’s exciting that we have several debutants combined with some experienced Orchids players, including a handful that return from RLWC2017,” Jeffries said. “Those returning players will be critical for the younger players within the group. The reality is that this could be the last opportunity for some players to represent the Orchids, so the expectation of these players is to assist in nurturing the younger players whilst competing for their positions from game to game.” “The squad features a majority of PNG-based players (65 per cent) coming from three confederates, and among the Australia-based players (35 per cent) we have a combination of players predominantly based in Queensland. All Australia-based players have been monitored through the Queensland and New South Wales women’s competitions, and it is pivotal to recognise players like Elsie Albert, Shellie Long, Jessikah Reeves and Therese Aiton who have been part of NRLW squads this year, which will assist in creating high standards within the Orchids team.” The 23-player squad (in alphabetical order) is: “In terms of new talent, we have two exciting young halves in Lila Malabag, who debuted against England in 2019 and Elizabeth Kapa, who came straight out of the schoolgirls’ competition. They could potentially be long-term halves for the Orchids and will work with the evergreen Shirley Joe, who was the try-scoring hero in the 2019 victory over England. In addition, dual-code international Joanne Lagona has been a standout player throughout this process and has played in every major PNG based competition and trial leading up to this selection” There are nine stand-by players who will be considered to replace any players who are forced to withdraw from the squad. They are (in alphabetical order): Delilah Ahose (Highlands, PNG), Emily Veivers (Tigers – QRLW, Australia), Gemma Schnaubelt (Souths – QRLW, Australia), Jessica Carey (Tigers – QRLW, Australia), Layna Nona-Busch (Rabbitohs – Western Australia, Australia), Leilah Kerowa (Southern, PNG), Melli Joe (Highlands, PNG), Regila Wilfred (Highlands, PNG), Ua Ravu (Bulls – NSW Country, Australia). The Santos PNG Orchids Team Management are Head Coach Ben Jeffries, Assistant Coaches Della Audama and Meg Ward, Team Manager Cassie Davis, Media Manager Joanna Lester, Assistant Team Manager and Media Assistant Urith Toa, Head of Performance Tandia Wood, Strength and Conditioning Coach Moses Guise, Performance Analyst Wade Sinclair, Head Physio/Trainer Carly Jennar, Physiotherapist Siyih Johang, and Wellbeing Manager Dr Jo Lukins. On behalf of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) Board Chairman Sandis Tsaka and the management team, Chief Executive Officer Mr Stanley Hondina congratulated the girls and the coaching staff who have made the side. “We also extend our appreciation to the head coach Ben Jefferies and his team for a great effort and outcome getting this far. We started off with the ‘’Road to the World Cup’’ concept when we realized our girls were disadvantaged as they don’t have a systematic process to pick the team like our male structure,” Mr Hondina said. “Thanks to our sponsors and partners, Santos, Digicel, National Gaming Control Board, Bank South Pacific and PacificAus Sports for the support provided to us to have the monitoring (test and trial program), tri series and the possible vs probable matches played to use as the platform to select the side.” “We are confident of the selected squad and the depth of experience we have in our coaching staff and know they will do PNG proud at the 2021/22 RLWC later this year in the United Kingdom (UK). We wish them all the best in the preparations, Prime Minister’s 13 and the RLWC campaign as the nation and lovers of the sport stand behind you in this journey,” he said. Santos PNG Orchids Chairlady Ms Okaro Yogi was pleased at the selection of the Orchids team that will prepare for the Rugby League World Cup. “Congratulations ladies! You have all proven through your own individual merits to be named in the final squad. I know you all will wear the Santos PNG Orchids jersey with pride and make us all proud. We will all be cheering you all on!” Chairlady said. “I would like to thank the coaching staff and Coach Ben Jeffries for prepping and selecting the final squad. The preparation and campaign for the RLWC 2021 would not have become a reality without the support of our major sponsors who have believed in us and what we stand for – “an equal playing field for men and women”. On behalf of the PNG Orchids Board, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Naming Rights Sponsor Santos and Platinum Sponsors Digicel PNG, National Gaming Control Board and Bank South Pacific for backing the Santos PNG Orchids.

The Prime Minister Hon James Marape today announced the official Cabinet of Ministers and their respective Ministries. Notable inclusions include new departments of Ministry for Oil Palm and Ministry for Coffee while Ministry for Agriculture and Livestock have now been separated into respective ministries. The Ministry for Police and Ministry of Correctional Service have now been combined into Ministry for Internal Security. Ministry for Transport and Civil Aviation are now combined into the one Ministry whereas the Ministry for Finance and Implementation is now Ministry for Finance and Implementation and Ministry for Planning is now separate. Also combined as one Ministry is the Ministry for Petroleum and Energy. 1. JAMES MARAPE - PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR PLANNING 2. JOHN ROSSO - DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR LANDS, PHYSICAL PLANNING AN URBANISATION 3. WILLIAM DUMA - MINISTER FOR STATE ENTERPRISES 4. IAN LING STUCKEY - MINISTER FOR TREASURY 5. SOROI EOE - MINISTER FOR PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL-LEVEL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS 6. RAINBO PAITA - MINISTER FOR FINANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION 7. RICHARD MARU - MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT 8. JUSTIN TKATCHENKO - MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS 9. DON POLYE - MINISTER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, RESEARCH, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND SPORTS 10. SOLAN MIRISIM - MINISTER FOR WORKS & HIGHWAYS 11. PILA NININGI - MINISTER FOR JUSTICE & ATTORNEY GENERAL 12. WALTER SCHNAUBELT - MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND CIVIL AVIATION 13. KERENGA KUA - MINISTER FOR PETROLEUM AND ENERGY 14. JIMMY UGURO - MINISTER FOR EDUCATION 15. JOE SUNGI - MINISTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE 16. SALIO WAIPO - MINISTER FOR FOREST 17. HENRY AMULI - MINISTER FOR COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY 1 8. PETER TSIAMALILI, JR - MINISTER FOR INTERNAL SECURITY 19. LINO TOM - MINISTER FOR HEALTH 20. KOBBY BOMOREO - MINISTER FOR HOUSING 21. JASON PETER - MINISTER FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, RELIGION AND YOUTH 22. TIMOTHY MASIU - MINISTER FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 23. JELTA WONG - MINISTER FOR FISHERIES AND MARINE RESOURCES 24. WIN DAKI - MINISTER FOR DEFENCE 25. ISI HENRY LEONARD - MINISTER FOR TOURISM, ART AND CULTURE 26. AIYE TAMBUA - MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE 27. SEKIE AGISA - MINISTER FOR LIVESTOCK 28. FRANCIS MANEKE - MINISTER FOR OIL PALM 29. JOE KULI - MINISTER FOR COFFEE 30. BRYAN KRAMER - MINISTER FOR LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION 31. ANO PALA - MINISTER FOR MINING 32. SIMON KILEPA - MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE 33. MINISTER FOR BOUGAINVILLE AFFAIRS - Yet to be Named.

Quaden Bayles, an indigenous Australian boy who won the support of celebrities and well-wishers around the globe after being bullied because of his disability, has landed a role in the new "Mad Max" movie. Oscar-winning director George Miller has cast the now 11-year-old in a small role in the movie "Furiosa," a prequel to his 2015 post-apocalyptic blockbuster "Mad Max: Fury Road." Miller revealed in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald's Good Weekend magazine, published Saturday, that he was moved to put Bayles on the big screen after watching the distressing video his mother shared of him in February 2020. The Queensland boy, born with a type of dwarfism known as achondroplasia, is already scheduled to appear alongside Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton in Miller's next film, "Three Thousand Years of Longing." "It was good for us and it was good for him," Miller told the Sydney Morning Herald. "And he did such a good job that he's got a small role in Furiosa." CNN has contacted representatives for Miller and Bayles for further comment. In the 2020 viral video clip, Bayles is shown crying uncontrollably in the back of his mother's car as he asks for a knife to kill himself. "This is what bullying does," his mother, Yarraka Bayles, said in the video, livestreamed on Facebook to raise awareness of the impact of bullying. "Can you please educate your children, your families, your friends?" The video also caught the attention of celebrities, including Australian actor Hugh Jackman, who posted a video message on Twitter telling Bayles: "No matter what, you've got a friend in me." "Quaden, you are stronger than you know, mate," Jackman said. "Everyone, let's just please be kind to each other. Bullying is not OK, period." Source: CNN

Kimbe Chief is the newest of 12 vessels in Consort’s fleet. Importantly, she has her own crane (30 tonne capability), enabling efficient and cost-effective cargo loading and unloading, and generous capacity (164 TEU). As her name suggests, she will be dedicated to servicing the weekly Lae-Kimbe-Lae Niugini Islands route. Thomas Bellamy, Chief Operating Officer of the logistics division of Steamships Limited, to which Consort belongs, reports that “wanting to better service our import and export customers and communities who rely on the Lae-Kimbe-Lae route was the primary reason for Kimbe Chief’s purchase. In short, having one of our vessels solely dedicated to the route enables Consort to provide a more reliable and efficient service.” Bellamy acknowledges that the Kimbe Chief ‘s purchase has the added benefit of freeing up other vessels that previously serviced the route, as well as minimising the impact of any unanticipated maintenance issues within Consort’s broader fleet. “We’re now more favourably positioned to not only provide an enhanced service between Lae and Kimbe, but better services across all routes. Furthermore, the expanded fleet has increased our charter project capabilities, which is particularly important for some of our biggest customers, including those in mining, as well as oil and gas.” The company’s additional investment in another barge and 1,000 new containers, including high-cube reefers and 20FT and 40FT dry containers, is also significant in terms of increased service capacity and reliability. According to Bellamy, so too is it important in terms of safety. “Aging logistics infrastructure and equipment poses all sorts of potential risks when it comes to workplace safety, as well as environmental safety. At Consort our primary goal is to provide a 100 percent safe service which includes proactively replacing assets prior to them having any capacity to compromise safety.” Consort transports cargo in a liner and project charter capacity for a diverse range of businesses, from domestic manufacturers and wholesalers to local farming, transport, and construction companies, as well as international energy and mining operators. Not only are Consort’s services vital to these organisations’ business operations but they are also critical to the health and development of communities all over Papua New Guinea. Consort has been transporting essential goods – including food, medicine, building materials and agricultural supplies – to communities for more than 40 years.

Departing forward Viliame Kikau admits the prospect of leaving the Panthers has been made easier following confirmation Cameron Ciraldo will coach the Bulldogs from next season. Kikau spoke for the first time on Monday since Ciraldo’s appointment at Canterbury was made official by the club for the next five years. It caps an otherwise unsettling period for the Bulldogs recruit, who signed with Canterbury last November under Trent Barrett’s tenure before the former coach resigned in May. Both Kikau and Ciraldo have been at Penrith for six and 10 seasons respectively with the pair now looking to give the premiers one last parting gift – back-to-back trophies – before teaming up at Belmore. “Obviously I was happy about it,” Kikau said when asked of Ciraldo’s appointment. “I like 'Ciro' as a coach. He's taught me a lot of stuff since I got to Penrith. I've learned a lot. “Some days he comes in and does so much of the talking and sometimes he'll just leave it to the boys asking questions. “It's easier now with 'Ciro' going, he's got a lot of stuff he'll take with him.” Kikau said since accepting the Bulldogs deal just weeks after the Panthers won the competition last year, it has allowed him to relish the final season in the club’s colours. It’s also given him the added motivation to leave on his terms with the Fijian international playing in all but one game so far this season. "Yeah I guess that (leaving on a high) was always there since the day I signed that deal with the Bulldogs,” Kikau said. “Coming into this year, my main focus was to make the most of everything. I've known these boys for a really long time. “Most of them are family. I'm trying to make the most of it and at the same time play my best footy.” The Panthers forward hosed down suggestions he was in career-best form but believed he wasn’t far off as the side eye off another premiership after wrapping up top spot on the Telstra Premiership ladder last week. Source: NRL.com

The National Gaming Control Board refutes claims on social media that NGCB will shut down Pacific Racing Betting Shops nationwide. Certain individuals with malicious and ill intent to tarnish the reputation of NGCB have put up the social media post. All Pacific Racing Betting Shops are current and in operation. “Spreading rumors and fake news on social media with the intent to incite anger, frustration and tarnish the good name of a state owned organization is ridiculous, outrageous and unreasonable,” said NGCB CEO Imelda Agon. The NGCB is committed in ensuring the operation of the gaming industry remains uninterrupted especially during this time when the industry is recovering from the closure of gaming operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I strongly urged Papua New Guineans and especially social media users, to be wary of fake news and scammers that are encroaching our societies with unfounded reports and publications.” “I also strongly urge punters to gamble responsibly and know your limits,” said CEO Agon.

PNG’s premier dance group “Wan Squad” finished 12th out of 42 teams in the World Hip Hop Dance Championships. The competition which ran from the 8th to the 12th of August saw more than 50 countries compete over 5 divisions. Wan Squad competed in the ‘Adult’ division which is historically the toughest in the competition. 42 teams took part in the division with Wan Squad finishing 10th after the preliminary round and securing a spot in the semi-final. They unfortunately would not progress past this point after a minor slip in their semi-final performance and would see them finish the competition in 12th. Wan Squad member and coach Pyan Ng says that it was an incredible learning experience for the team. “Although we would have liked to finish higher and make the final, we are incredibly proud of the effort we made, it’s the first major competition we have competed in more than 2 years and we have learnt a lot,” he said. “To be the best you have to compete against the best and we will only improve by competing in these high-level competitions” He also wanted to thank all the support the team has received from home, “the number of messages we have received from PNG has been overwhelming, it’s so nice to know that people back home are following us on our journey”. Mountain Dew sponsored the group with flights and accommodation to the United States to compete. Director of Pacific Industries Everett Chue, who produce Mountain Dew in PNG said the team should be incredibly proud of their efforts. “We are so proud to have given Wan Squad the opportunity to compete on a world stage and represent their country. They are terrific ambassadors for Papua New Guinea. These young men travelled across the globe to compete at the highest level, and they certainly turned some heads in the world dance community” The boys then took a much-needed week's holiday in Los Angeles courtesy of Mountain Dew to relax and reflect on their accomplishments, before returning to PNG to prepare for their next competition in Brisbane this November.