The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) handed over the gear to the schools this week and the programme will be held from October 3 to November 11, after which a day-long tournament will take place to wrap up Just Play in the area for the year.
During the implementation period, the SIFF projects office will closely monitor activities in each school and community, and collect data which will be used for assessment and future planning purposes.
SIFF special projects manager Phillip Ohoto’ona presented each school with its allocation of equipment and informed the teachers and community leaders of the need to make good use of the gear for the full benefit of their students.
“Our priority is for our kids to fully participate and enjoy the Just Play programme in our schools and communities,” he says.
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 Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb

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