Yassir Janiff, the Fiji Football Association Just Play Project manager says the programme later this year will be introduced in the Western and Northern divisions. #“Over 7000 children have participated in the Just Play programme in Suva, Rewa, Nasinu, Navua, Tailevu North since its launch last year. #The next cycle of the Just Play programme is from July – December and Just Play will rollout to Western and Northern zones,” Janiff said.#The Fiji FA Just Play Project manager discussed various reasons on why he believes the programme has been successful so far. #“School attendance has improved when Just Play programme is held during the school days. Teachers have reported children are getting disciplined while participating through the programme. Having partnership of Health programmes has improved children eating habits encouraging fruits and natural juice drinks to be promoted in school canteen.”#“Girl’s participation in football has massively grown with almost 40% of total participation being girls. Interest in girls have grown as Just Play is a class based programme and opportunity is for everyone to play football nevertheless what ability he or she has in sports. Children in most have reported they enjoy participating in Just Play because it is easy to understand, and we play a lot of soccer games in small fields. Gender balance in games provides opportunity for girls to participate together with boys and boys tend to respect the girls on and off the field. Teachers also have reported children academic results have improved through the programme”#Janiff said the Just Play programme has also been introduced to the various communities. #“Volunteers from different villages/housing areas were chosen to deliver the Just Play after School programme in their respective areas. Children are seen mostly occupied in other things and not actively involved in sports programme after schools.”# #“Community volunteers deliver the session during weekends or after school and educate them of healthy lifestyle. At the moment 10 Communities are part of the Pilot Programme and the volunteers are delivering the sessions in Rewa, Suva, Lami , Nasinu and other areas.”# #
