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Sir John Walker with All Whites coach Ricki Herbert |
Just Play - Active and Healthy for Life - is an OFC initiative now being taken up throughout Manukau schools in partnership with the John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation.
All Whites coach Ricki Herbert, who played for New Zealand at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, returned to his former school Papatoetoe Central Primary to celebrate the launch of the programme. He joined fellow internationals Frank van Hattum, Brian Turner and Colin Tuaa, who leads the project for OFC.
Manukau Mayor Len Brown and OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas were also among the dignitaries.
Nicholas opened proceedings by thanking Papatoetoe Primary for hosting the event.
“I’d like to thank Principal Marilyn Gwilliam for welcoming us to this school,” said Nicholas.
“All of you kids sitting here today you might have dreams to one day win a gold medal at the Olympics or represent New Zealand at the World Cup. This is what Just Play is all about. It’s about having a dream, knowing what you want to do in life and then succeeding like the very distinguished guests here today.”
Sir John Walker, who won the 1500m gold at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, heads the Find your Field of Dreams charity which aims to get more young people in Manukau to participate in sport. OFC is working in partnership with the Foundation to deliver the pilot project across South Auckland.
Sir John Walker addressed the audience and acknowledged the support of all those who had made the programme possible.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Manukau Mayor Len Brown because without him this charity wouldn’t have got off the ground. Also to Tai Nicholas, without your energy and support we wouldn’t be here today launching this programme.
"The idea behind Find your Field of Dreams is very simple. It’s about kids having dreams and getting out there and playing sport. What Just Play will allow is for more young boys and girls to participate in football – a game that is all the rave at the moment.”
Ricki Herbert then thanked organisers for the invitation and for choosing his old school for the launch of Just Play.
“I’m a pure born and bred South Auckland boy. This is where it all started for me. I certainly appreciate what a programme like this can do, and will do, for the next generation of young athletes.”
New Zealand Football Chairman Frank van Hattum, also hailing from South Auckland, expressed his support before OFC Grassroots Coordinator Colin Tuaa gave further background about the programme.
Finally, dozens of students took to the field as the distinguished guests looked on to see Just Play in action.
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