Most weeks throughout the year Just Play instructors make a special trip to visit pupils at the Ofa Tui Amanaki Centre in the capital Nuku’alofa.
The centre, which in English means love, faith and hope, is attended by students of all ages with intellectual disabilities.
The Just Play sessions often form the highlight of the week for many pupils, while principal Fine Mafi believes they are also having a positive effect on their overall health and wellbeing.
“The Just Play visits are one of the most enjoyable activities for them and they really look forward to the instructors coming in,” Mafi says.
“There is also a great difference in the behaviour and health of the students when Just Play come.
“Before a lot of them who have epilepsy had seizures, but I have noticed that since Just Play started visiting a lot of them rarely have seizures anymore.
“I know that it has made a difference in their lives.
“The activities build up the physical health of the kids, because at home most of them don’t have the chance to be independent or play with their siblings and other people.
“This gives them the opportunity to mix with their other friends here and to relax and enjoy themselves.”
Activities are run indoors at the centre and typically consist of simple games which encourage pupils to exercise and make decisions on their own.
Small competitions between groups allows them to experience achievement, while also instilling values of teamwork and cooperation.
Just Play instructor Lui Muavesi said the trips were among the most rewarding parts of his job.
“It is always great to see the pupils here enjoying the activities Just Play provides and knowing that we are making a difference in their lives,” he says.
“A few of them are noted athletes at the Paralympic Games and have won medals in sports such as shotput and running, so they love the chance to do this.
“Of course it is very different instructing here because usually you only come with one backup plan, but here you have to prepare for everything because you never know what will happen.”
The OFC Just Play Programme is a sport for development programme that helps children to grow, learn and explore through sport.
Just Play gives a child a ball, a coach and a safe place to play. The programme shows children how to have fun with other children, be physically active and become confident in their abilities.
Through the integration of social messages, Just Play helps children to develop healthy lifestyle habits, encourages gender equality and leaders in the community, promotes social inclusion and insists on sport for all.
The OFC Just Play Programme is designed and monitored by the OFC Social Responsibility department, in partnership with the Australian Government through the Australian Sports Commission, the New Zealand Government, Football Federation Australia, UEFA and UNICEF.

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