The initiative was launched this month at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara during the final pool matches of the Our Telekom National Club Championships.
Its aim is to encourage physical activity among young people by providing funding for football training programmes and equipment in primary schools across the Pacific region. It has already been launched in Tahiti, Tonga and Vanuatu, as well as Manukau in south Auckland, and government officials in the Solomons are delighted their country has now been added.
Benedict Esibaea, director of primary education, spoke highly of the programme’s promise in his launch speech. He says it will bring football to the communities and help promote healthy living.
Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) president Martin Alufurai is also a fan of Just Play and says it could produce future stars for the country’s clubs and national team.
He was quick to give thanks to OFC for choosing the Solomon Islands as one of the first nations to benefit.
“SIFF will do its best to ensure that Just Play content and support is delivered to the partner schools,” he says.
A two-day workshop was held at the SIFF Academy following the launch.
The purpose of the workshops, according to SIFF special projects manager Phillip Ohoto’ona, is for potential partner schools to understand the essence of the programme and see the opportunities that exist within it for young children.
“Just Play is great for the Solomon Islands because it will complement SIFF’s existing programmes, such as LEARN&play which we have at secondary school level,” Ohoto’ona says. “Just Play targets primary schools and will help to establish the best possible player development pathway.”
A number of schools in Honiara have been identified for the initial pilot phase. They are Bishop Epalle, St. John Primary, Coronation Primary, Perch Christian School, Chung Wah School and Lungga Primary.
The first provinicial launch will be held in Gizo next week.
The Australian Government is funding Just Play in several of the Pacific countries and the programme is led by OFC head of social responsibility Franck Castillo, technical coordinator Colin Tuaa and consultant Vania Kenning.
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