Just Play
Fiji Football in conjunction with Oceania Football launched ‘Just Play Programme in Fiji on February last year with Southern schools and since then the programme has been implemented into 5 different districts with 112 teachers, 24 community volunteers and around 6000 children involved in the programme over a six week period cycle.
With the financial assistance provided by the Australian Government through Ausaid office in Canberra, Just Play programme is designed by Oceania football technical department to see children aged 6 – 12yrs participate in physical activities with properly organized football coaching session which can be played in anywhere.
This programme is for holistic development of young people fostering physical and emotional health and building valuable social connections which offer opportunities for young people to participate in sports and especially with other opportunities in their lives, such as promote education, health, inter- cultural dialogue and peace.
Fiji FA has enjoyed the continuous assistance, understanding and cooperation with the High commission by using the power of football towards developing a just and harmonious society in Fiji and we hope to reach out to all 735 primary schools in Fiji in the next five years.
Fiji FA, in partnership with OFC, is committed to
growing football at community and school level. A unique grassroots programme called ‘Just
Play' has been developed by OFC which promotes physical activity for primary-aged children while encouraging community involvement
and healthy living.
‘Just Play’ is designed
for children aged 6-12 and is based around structured activity programmes as
well as the distribution of equipment packs containing balls, cones, bibs,
activity manuals and other resources that enable children to play football at
anytime and in any situation.
Volunteers and teachers,
who are trained by OFC in cooperation with Fiji FA and other member associations, provide
tuition for students on how to develop games skills and lead healthier lives.
‘Just
Play’ certificates and equipments bags are handed out at the
at the end of each course.
The initiative is led by OFC Head of Social Responsibility Franck Castillo, Technical Coordinator Colin Tuaa and Just Play consultant Vania Kenning.
Partners
The success of the 'Just
Play' programme is based on key partnerships.
OFC is working closely
with the Government of Australia –
through its agencies the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) – and Football Federation Australia (FFA) to
roll out the programme across the Pacific over a
three-year period between 2009 and 2011. The Australian Government
has shown its support to the project by contributing AU$4million.
OFC also
works closely with the member association, department of education and local
community leaders wherever possible.
An important aspect of
the 'Just Play' program is the pro-active fostering of the development in local
clubs and associations which remain the primary source of the game’s
grass-roots and elite development strength throughout Oceania.
Therefore, clubs and
associations will be integrated into an overarching retention strategy that
provides them with direct access to 'Just Play' children via the school
program, and the opportunity to promote their club to a targeted and captive
audience.
This will be facilitated
by inviting local clubs to meet with school teachers, children and parents who
are attending the program during the final two weeks of each 'Just Play'
activity.
The local club can
provide to the school teacher, children and their parents information about
other fun football activities which are available for them after their 'Just
Play' experience.
In some instances club
members may also be part of the program delivery team which will provide even
greater opportunity to promote their club benefits to would be potential club
members.