Just Play development officers Kaison Maki and Lele William organised the event and were delighted with the turn out of 120 children, hailing from the Lakatoro Primary School and other communities on the island of Malekula.
“It’s really good to see young children enjoying playing football in the islands,” Maki says.
“I am sure we will produce some good players in the next few years if the teachers help to promote football to young children using the Just Play materials.”
Since the OFC grassroots programme was introduced to Vanuatu, around ten Just Play festivals have been held in the capital of Port Vila and have involved over 1500 children, teachers and community leaders.
Just Play is a FIFA-approved OFC initiative which promotes physical activity for primary-aged children while encouraging community involvement and healthy living.
It is designed for children aged six to 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.
Developed by the OFC social responsibility and technical departments, Just Play was launched in Tonga and has since been introduced in Vanuatu, Tahiti, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and South Auckland in New Zealand.
OFC is working closely with UEFA, 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. The Australian Government has shown its support to the project by contributing AU$4million.
OFC is also currently working in New Zealand with Special Olympics (NZ) on a Just Play programme for people with mental disabilities.
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu

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