Sport Professional Launches Center for Athlete Development in Samoa
For Gabrielle Apelu, sports are more than a passion or career; they are the locus of community, health, and social empowerment. Gabrielle is the founder and operations director of Apelu Sports, a company that strives for the holistic development of athletes through technical training, nutrition, and mental health support. As a former athlete, Gabrielle recognizes the essentiality of athlete support in the development of Samoa’s national sport sector. Within Apelu Sports, Gabrielle hopes to create a thriving and safe environment for women and girls to express themselves through sport.
In addition to overseeing Apelu Sports’ daily operations, Gabrielle works as a volunteer coach, trainer, physio, rehab and nutritionist for her athletes. She also volunteers her time working as an emergency response team member under Samoa’s Fire and Emergency Services Authority in the Water Search and Rescue division and enjoys gardening and crafts with her children.
At the GSMP, Gabrielle hopes to gain an awareness of the latest developments in sports programming from her peers and mentor and explore business opportunities from an organizational standpoint.
Gabrielle will be mentored by Anne Duffy, Director, Rights & Clearances & Laura Lehman, Manager, Field Operations, and their team at NFL Films in Mount Laurel Township, NJ; and Chris Cohorst, Manager, Human Resources and Nicole Ledvina, Vice President, Human Resources, and their team at Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
