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James Segeyaro
James Segeyaro
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James Segeyaro (born 11 November 1990), also known by the nickname of "Chicko" is a former Papua New Guinea international rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker for the Western Suburbs Red Devils in the Illawarra Rugby League.

Key Information

He previously played for the Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys, Penrith Panthers, Manly Sea Eagles and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League, and briefly for the Blacktown Workers and Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup. Segeyaro also played for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League. He has played for the PNG Prime Minister's XIII and the Prime Minister's XIII, against Papua New Guinea.[3] He also played for Papua New Guinea at international level.[4]

Early years

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Born in Papua New Guinea, Segeyaro moved to Cairns, Queensland, Australia with his biological mother at the age of seven.[5] He was adopted by his best friend's parents soon after.[6]

Playing career

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After playing junior football for the Cairns Ivanhoes club, Segeyaro moved to the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2007. After being cut from the Souths' roster due to disciplinary issues,[7] he returned to North Queensland to play for the Cowboys. Segeyaro was captain of the Cowboys' Toyota Cup team in 2010 and played for the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup.[8] Segeyaro was selected in the Junior Kangaroos at the end of the 2010 season.[9]

2011

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Segeyaro broke into the North Queensland NRL squad in 2011 after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction at the end of the previous season.[10] Segeyaro made his NRL debut in Round 3 against the Melbourne Storm playing off the interchange bench in North Queensland's 34–6 win at 1300SMILES Stadium.[11][12] In Round 15 against the New Zealand Warriors, Segeyaro scored his first NRL career try in North Queensland's 30–10 win at 1300SMILES Stadium.[13] Segeyaro made his first start at hooker in North Queensland's 42-8 Qualifying Finals defeat by Manly-Warringah at SFS.[14] Segeyaro went on to appear in 19 matches and score five tries for the North Queensland Cowboys the 2012 NRL season. At the end of the season he made his debut for the Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister's XIII in a 36–22 defeat by the Australian Prime Minister's XIII.[15]

2012

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On 15 June 2012, Segeyaro announced that he would join the Penrith Panthers on a three-year deal from 2013 to till the end of 2016.[16] In Round 13 against the Gold Coast Titans,[17] Segeyaro suffered an ankle syndesmosis injury in North Queensland's 28–12 loss at Cbus Super Stadium ruling him out until Round 26 in the Cowboys 36–22 victory over Cronulla-Sutherland at Remondis Stadium.[18] Segayaro played in the Cowboys Week 1 and 2 finals matches. Segeyaro played in 14 matches and scored three tries for the North Queensland outfit in the 2012 NRL season.

2013

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Segeyaro made his Penrith Panthers club debut in Round 1 against the Canberra Raiders playing off the interchange bench, scoring a try in Penrith's 32–10 win at Penrith Stadium.[19] In Round 24 against the Brisbane Broncos, Segeyaro scored a hat trick in Penrith's 28–12 win at Penrith Stadium.[20] Segeyaro played in all the Panthers 24 matches and scored 10 tries in a stellar debut year for the Penrith club in the 2013 NRL season. Injury prevented Segeyaro from representing Papua New Guinea in the 2013 World Cup.[21]

2014

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On 22 August 2014, Segeyaro lost his biological father Iffysoe Segeyaro, who represented the Kumuls, after he died suffering an aneurysm, with Segeyaro missing Penrith's match against the Melbourne Storm at Penrith Stadium and travelling to Papua New Guinea.[22] The Panthers wore black armbands and held a minute silence in honour of Segeyaro's father. The Panthers lost the match 24–10.[23] Segeyaro returned for the Panthers in Round 26 against the New Zealand Warriors, scoring a try in Penrith's 22–6 win at Penrith Stadium.[24][25] Segeyaro finished off the Penrith Panthers 2014 NRL season with him playing in 25 matches and scoring 10 tries. On 29 September 2014, at the 2014 Dally M Awards, Segeyaro was named 2014 Dally M Hooker of the Year.[26][27]

2015

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Segeyaro finished off the 2015 season having played in 18 matches and scoring 6 tries for the Penrith side.[28] On 26 September, he was called up by club coach and 2015 Prime Minister's XIII coach Ivan Cleary to play against the PNG PM's XIII.[3][29] He explained that he changed his allegiance to Australia due to perceived disrespect from PNG rugby league officials after his father's death.[30] During the match, he received boos whenever he touched the ball.[31]

2016

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Segeyaro playing for Leeds in 2016

On Australia Day, Segeyaro received Australian citizenship from Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, having lived in the country for the past 19 years.[4]

On 22 February 2016, Segeyaro was named as the captain of the Panthers 2016 NRL Auckland Nines squad.[32] In Round 1 against the Canberra Raiders, Segeyaro played his 100th NRL career match but unfortunately broke his arm during Penrith's 30–22 loss at Canberra Stadium.[33]

After a string of injuries and loss of form, Segeyaro was falling out of favour with Penrith Coach Anthony Griffin and was languishing in Penrith's NSW Cup team.[34]

In May 2016, Segeyaro was photographed dining with senior bikie Paulie Younan alongside then Parramatta player Corey Norman. NRL CEO Todd Greenberg called the image a “bad look for the game”.[35]

With his future at Penrith fading away, on 23 June 2016, Segeyaro signed an immediate two-year deal with the Leeds Rhinos, with the Leeds club trading fullback Zak Hardaker to the Panthers.[36] Segeyaro finished the 2016 NRL season with him playing in four matches for the Panthers.

Segeyaro made a mid-season move to the Leeds Rhinos in a swap for Zak Hardaker that would see him play for Leeds for the rest of the season.[37]

He signed a two-year deal with the Super League club but in December 2016 returned to Australia and announced that due to homesickness he had no intention of returning to England. The Leeds club alleged a breach of contract and were considering legal means.[38]

2017

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In March 2017, Leeds agreed a settlement that allowed Segeyaro to join NRL side Cronulla with immediate effect.[39] Segeyaro made himself available for the Kumuls ahead of the 2017 World Cup.[40] He made his Test debut against Wales on 28 October, becoming Kumul #282.[41]

2018

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In 2018, Segeyaro made 26 appearances for Cronulla as the club finished fourth at the end of the season and qualified for the finals. Cronulla made it to the preliminary final against Melbourne which they lost 22-6 falling short of a grand final appearance. Segeyaro featured in all three finals matches for the team.[42][43]

2019

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Segeyaro began the 2019 season in the Canterbury Cup NSW playing for Newtown. On 9 May, Segeyaro signed with the Brisbane Broncos as Cronulla released him due to salary cap constraints. Segeyaro made his debut for Brisbane in Round 10 scoring a try in a 15–10 victory over defending premiers the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.

On 27 May, Segeyaro was caught drink driving and blew a blood-alcohol level under 0.05, but as the player is on a provisional licence his reading cannot be above zero. The Brisbane club then released a statement saying “The Brisbane Broncos can confirm that James Segeyaro has been issued with a notice to appear for driving under the influence of alcohol, Segeyaro recorded a breath test reading well under 0.05 in Brisbane this morning, but due to the fact he is on a Provisional Licence he has been issued with a notice to appear. The NRL Integrity Unit has been informed and the club is working through the issue in conjunction with them".[44][45] He was suspended for one game due to this.

Segeyaro played his 150th NRL game with Brisbane in round 22 which the club won against the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium. Segeyaro made 13 appearances for Brisbane in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished eighth on the table and qualified for the finals. Segeyaro played in the club's elimination final against Parramatta which Brisbane lost 58–0 at the new Western Sydney Stadium. The defeat was the worst in Brisbane's history and also the biggest finals defeat in history.[46][47][48]

On 1 October, Segeyaro was named for Papua New Guinea for the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s. On 3 October, Segeyaro was provisionally suspended by the NRL after returning a positive sample for the banned drug di-hydroxy LGD-4033 which is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the NRL's Anti-Doping Policy.[49]

2021

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On 25 January, Segeyaro and NRL player Corey Norman were involved in a street brawl at Cronulla. It was alleged during the scuffle that a knife was produced. The matter was referred to the NRL Integrity Unit.[50]

On 18 February, Segeyaro was given a backdated 20-month suspension by the NRL Anti-Doping Tribunal. Due to time already served, Segeyaro was told he could be eligible for registration as a player on 2 June.[51]

2022

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On 7 February, it was revealed that Segeyaro had signed a one-year deal with NSW Cup side Blacktown Workers, feeder to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.[52] On 28 July, Segeyaro made his club debut for Manly against the Sydney Roosters off the bench where he played eleven minutes.

2023

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On 3 June, Segeyaro signed a contract to join RFL Championship side Bradford until the end of the season.[53]

Personal life

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Segeyaro owns a clothing business called "YKTR" alongside former Dragons player Corey Norman and ex-player Isaac John. He also has a passion for food and has created his own brand called "Help Ya Self".[54]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
James Segeyaro, born on 11 November 1990 in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, is a retired professional rugby league footballer who primarily played as a hooker and represented the Papua New Guinea national team, the Kumuls, in international competition. Known by the nickname "Chicko," he stood at 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) tall and weighed 86 kg during his playing career, earning eligibility for Queensland through residency. He also represented the Australia Prime Minister's XIII on three occasions. Over a 14-year elite career spanning 2011 to 2023, Segeyaro amassed 155 appearances in Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) and 10 games in the UK's Super League, establishing himself as a dynamic and leadership-driven player. Segeyaro debuted in the NRL with the in 2011, followed by stints at the (2013–2016), (2017–2018), (2019), and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (2022), where he showcased his skills as a quick, agile hooker capable of controlling games from dummy-half. In the UK, he played for the in 2016 and the in 2023. His international career with included six Test matches between 2017 and 2019, as well as four appearances at the 2017 , and later captained the Kumuls in test matches from 2018 to 2019, highlighting his role as a proud second-generation representative for his birth nation. Notable accolades include the Dally M Hooker of the Year award in 2014 for his outstanding performance with Penrith and selection in the 2019 Reserve Grade team. Following his retirement from elite , Segeyaro has remained active in the sport through mentorship and involvement, including a guest appearance at a captain's run with the PNG Hunters in April 2025 to train and inspire players, and affiliation as a player with the Norths Devils in Queensland's Cup competition. Transitioning into new pursuits, he has embraced cooking as a therapeutic outlet, sharing home-cooked meals inspired by Papua New Guinean and multicultural cuisines on to foster connections, as detailed in a June 2025 profile.

Early life

Background and family

James Segeyaro was born on 11 November 1990 in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. As a native of Papua New Guinea, he holds citizenship there by birth, and he acquired Australian citizenship in January 2016, granting him dual nationality. Segeyaro is the son of Ifiso Segeyaro (also spelled Ifisoe), a former Papua New Guinea international rugby league player who represented the Kumuls in two Test matches during the early 1980s. This familial connection makes James a second-generation Kumul, following in his father's footsteps as player number 282 when he debuted for the national team in 2017. At the age of seven, Segeyaro relocated from Papua New Guinea to Cairns, Queensland, Australia, with his mother, while his father remained in Papua New Guinea; he was raised in Cairns, where he was immersed in an Australian environment but maintained strong ties to his Papuan heritage. His early exposure to rugby league was profoundly shaped by his father's career, including Ifiso's role in pioneering schoolboy football programs in , which instilled a deep cultural connection to the sport and his homeland from a young age. Ifiso Segeyaro passed away in 2014. These influences, combined with 's strong rugby league traditions, motivated Segeyaro's passion for the game and his later commitment to representing his birth nation internationally.

Junior career

Segeyaro commenced his competitive junior rugby league career with the Cairns Ivanhoes club in , earning player of the year honors at the under-16 level in 2006. In 2007, encouraged by his family to pursue higher-level opportunities, he relocated to and joined the ' under-17 squad after impressing in trials. Segeyaro advanced to the National Youth Competition (NYC) with the Rabbitohs in 2008, debuting as a hooker in matches including the round 18 victory over the , where he came off the bench to contribute to a 38–22 win. He continued in the NYC for Souths in 2009, starting at hooker in key games such as the round 13 clash against the . In 2010, Segeyaro signed with the as a promising talent, captaining their NYC team and excelling with dynamic runs and try-scoring ability from dummy-half. His performances that season earned him selection in the 2010 NYC Team of the Year at hooker, highlighting his and skill in orchestrating plays. Across his NYC career from 2008 to 2010, Segeyaro featured in 48 games, scoring 29 tries and demonstrating the quickness and vision that marked him as a top junior prospect. This development pathway with the Cowboys prepared him for first-grade opportunities in the subsequent season.

Club career

National Rugby League (2011–2020)

Segeyaro made his NRL debut for the North Queensland Cowboys in round 3 of the 2011 season against the Melbourne Storm, entering from the interchange bench during a 34–6 victory at 1300SMILES Stadium. He scored his first NRL try later that year, crossing for a double in the Cowboys' 30–10 win over the New Zealand Warriors in round 15. Over two seasons with the Cowboys from 2011 to 2012, Segeyaro featured in 33 first-grade games, scoring 8 tries, while also making contributions in reserve-grade competitions such as the NYC and Queensland Cup. Ahead of the 2013 season, Segeyaro transferred to the Penrith Panthers on a multi-year deal, establishing himself as a key hooker in the competition. He played 70 games for the Panthers from 2013 to 2016, crossing for 26 tries during a period of consistent performance and team improvement. Segeyaro reached peak form in 2014, scoring 10 tries and earning the Dally M Hooker of the Year award for his dynamic playmaking and defensive work, which helped Penrith advance to the preliminary final—a single win short of the grand final. In 2015, he added 6 tries as the Panthers again qualified for the finals, showcasing his speed from dummy half and ability to generate tries through assists. Limited to just 4 appearances in 2016 due to injury, Segeyaro was loaned to the Super League club Leeds Rhinos for the latter half of the year. Segeyaro signed a two-year contract with the prior to the 2017 season, joining as a utility hooker to bolster their depth. He appeared in 38 games across 2017 and 2018, scoring 2 tries and providing energetic bench contributions during the ' competitive campaigns, which included a run to the 2018 . His time at Cronulla ended after the 2018 season when the club opted not to renew his contract. In 2019, Segeyaro joined the on a one-year deal, making 13 appearances and scoring 1 try. He marked his Broncos debut with a standout performance, burrowing over from dummy half for a 69th-minute try in a narrow 15–10 upset victory over the . Segeyaro did not play any NRL games in 2020, as he faced a provisional suspension from late 2019 after testing positive for the banned substance , which disrupted his career amid the season's interruptions. Across his NRL tenure from 2011 to 2019, Segeyaro accumulated 154 games and 37 tries, establishing career highs in try assists and dummy-half runs, particularly during his Panthers peak where he ranked among the league leaders in those metrics.

Super League and overseas clubs (2016–2023)

In July 2016, Segeyaro joined the Leeds Rhinos on a short-term loan from the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League (NRL), marking his entry into the Super League. Over the remainder of the season, he appeared in 10 games as a hooker, scoring 6 tries and contributing significantly to the team's late surge, which saw them secure 9 victories in their final 10 matches and qualify for the playoffs. Despite his on-field impact, Segeyaro faced adaptation challenges, including homesickness and cultural adjustments in the UK, which strained his relationship with the club and led to a contract dispute after he initially agreed to a two-year extension but ultimately returned to Australia without playing further seasons there. After several years back in the NRL with clubs including Penrith and Cronulla, Segeyaro ventured overseas again in November 2022, signing with FC Lézignan in the French Elite One Championship. As the team's primary hooker, he featured in 11 games during the 2022–2023 season, providing leadership and stability in the pivotal position while helping Lézignan achieve a strong third-place finish in the standings with 13 wins from 18 matches. His experience from higher-level competitions bolstered the squad's competitive edge in a league featuring several ex-NRL and players, contributing to their qualification for the playoffs. In June 2023, Segeyaro transferred to the in the on a contract until the end of the season, seeking to revive his career in English rugby's second tier. He played 7 games, scoring 1 try, but his stint was curtailed by a serious injury sustained in August, which ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign and ultimately led to his release as the club prioritized recovery and squad adjustments. Across his overseas engagements from 2016 to 2023, Segeyaro accumulated 28 appearances and 10 tries in elite European competitions.

Lower-tier Australian leagues (2021–2025)

Following the lifting of his suspension in June 2021, Segeyaro resumed his career with the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in the New South Wales Cup, the NRL's primary reserve-grade competition. He signed a one-year deal with the club in February 2022, serving as a key hooker and occasional in a season marked by struggles. Segeyaro featured in 19 games that year, scoring 5 tries for 20 points, while his prior NRL experience facilitated a limited recall to Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles' first-grade squad for one appearance amid shortages. Despite these opportunities, persistent challenges including fitness concerns and delistings prevented a sustained top-tier return, emphasizing his role in reserve-grade development. In late 2023, after a stint overseas, Segeyaro signed with the Western Suburbs Red Devils for the 2024 Illawarra Rugby League season, a prominent local competition in New South Wales. His time with the club was brief, ending early in the season due to undisclosed personal reasons, prompting the team to recruit a replacement in February 2024. Shortly thereafter, Segeyaro relocated north to his hometown club, the Cairns Ivanhoes Knights, in the Far North Queensland Rugby League (FNQRL), marking an inspirational return as a marquee signing to mentor young players. He excelled in the A-grade competition, earning the 2024 FNQRL Gold Medal with 16 points from nominations across the season, highlighting his leadership and on-field impact despite ongoing injury management. In 2025, Segeyaro made a at a captain's run with the PNG Hunters in the Hostplus Cup in April, training alongside players and providing veteran guidance and inspiration. He is affiliated with the Norths Devils in Queensland's Hostplus Cup competition. Over these years in Australian reserve and local leagues, Segeyaro accumulated more than 40 appearances, focusing on duties and player development while navigating career setbacks like injuries and contract instability.

International career

Papua New Guinea Kumuls

James Segeyaro made his debut for the Kumuls in the 2017 , coming off the bench in their opening match against in , where he became the 282nd player to represent the nation. As a hooker, he featured in all four of PNG's games that year, including victories over (14–6) and (50–6). Despite a group-stage loss to (8–36), PNG qualified for the quarter-finals as runners-up in Group C, where they were defeated by (6–36). His international career totaled six caps, during which he scored two tries, showcasing his speed and agility from dummy half. Segeyaro's leadership emerged prominently in subsequent tournaments, captaining the Kumuls for the first time in the 2018 Pacific Test against , where he earned man-of-the-match honors in a 26-14 , directing play and making key defensive stands with over 30 tackles. He retained the captaincy for the 2019 Pacific Test opener versus , guiding a young squad in a 24–6 defeat despite strong performances in attack and defense, including setting up several opportunities near the line. Across his caps, Segeyaro amassed more than 120 tackles, emphasizing his role in organizing the forward pack and providing stability at hooker. As a second-generation Kumul—his father, Ifiso Segeyaro, represented on their 1983 tour of and —James embodied a deep cultural connection to the sport in , where serves as a unifying force across diverse communities. His return to the Kumuls after earlier eligibility considerations highlighted his commitment to honoring his heritage, inspiring younger players and reinforcing the family's legacy in the national team's history.

Other representative teams

Segeyaro represented the in three matches against the Australian between 2012 and 2018. His debut came in 2012 at the Lloyd Robson Oval in , where the PNG side fell to a 24-18 defeat despite a competitive performance. In 2013, he featured in a heavier 50-10 loss at the Kalabond Oval in Kokopo, playing as a hooker in a team that struggled against the Australian outfit's dominant forward pack. Segeyaro returned to the PNG PM's XIII in 2018 at the Oil Search National Football Stadium, contributing to a side that lost 34-18 but showed improved resilience in the second half after trailing 24-6 at halftime. Following his declaration of availability for Australian representative duties in 2014, Segeyaro switched allegiances and played three games for the Australian , all against the PNG PM's XIII. He made his debut in 2014 at Kalabond Oval in Kokopo, contributing to a 34–16 victory. He followed this in 2015 at the , helping secure a 40–12 victory while facing his birth country for the first time in opposition colors. The following year, in 2016 at the National Football Stadium, he again started at hooker in a commanding 58-0 win that underscored the Australian team's superiority. These selections highlighted the hybrid nature of the fixtures, blending NRL talent from both nations in invitational formats that fostered development and cross-border rivalry. Overall, Segeyaro's six appearances in these non-national representative matches demonstrated his adaptability across allegiances, with his prior aiding his in such mixed-team environments.

Later career and legacy

Coaching roles

Following his guest appearance with the Hunters for a captain's run in April 2025, Segeyaro contributed to team preparations by actively participating in training sessions, sharing insights from his NRL and international , and mentoring younger players to boost their development and performance.

Personal life

Segeyaro is married to , with whom he experienced significant challenges during their first pregnancy in 2015, including high-risk complications that tested their resilience as a couple. Off-field incidents have also marked his , including a club-imposed one-match suspension and 40 hours of community service in 2019 for drink-driving while with the . Later that year, he faced a provisional suspension under the NRL's anti-doping after testing positive for , resulting in a 20-month ban (backdated and reduced after he claimed contamination from a shared ), which derailed his career at a vulnerable time. During this low point, after being delisted by the Cronulla due to issues, Segeyaro worked part-time as a at a café owned by former NRL player Jason Nightingale while playing reserve-grade for their feeder club. These setbacks took a heavy mental toll, with Segeyaro describing the doping saga as "the hardest thing I've had to do in my life," exacerbating isolation and emotional strain during months of uncertainty. His family, including a father figure who voiced deep concerns over the NRL's prolonged anti-doping process and its impact on Segeyaro's well-being, highlighted the need for better support for players' amid such ordeals. Peers like also expressed worry for his state of mind following the positive test. In , Segeyaro himself championed mental health awareness as an NRL , visiting regional communities to promote initiatives while sidelined by injury. Segeyaro has emerged as an inspiration for youth, embodying resilience in overcoming career and personal hurdles. His time growing up in Cairns fostered a commitment to , and he has expressed aspirations to return to post-retirement for grassroots rugby and educational work, continuing his father's pioneering efforts in schoolboy programs. This legacy extends to mentoring young talents, emphasizing as a core post-career focus without venturing into business. Post-retirement, Segeyaro has embraced cooking as a therapeutic outlet, sharing home-cooked meals inspired by Papua New Guinean and multicultural cuisines on to foster connections, as profiled in 2025.

References

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