As the sun was slowly gaining its strength to heat up the earth’s surface, the students from Hagara Primary School along the Motuan coastline happily welcomed the “Just Play” team who arrived at their school yesterday morning.
In no time, the students fell into two lines and the volunteer instructors, Robert Sabadi and Leo Jakanduo, wasted no time in demonstrating football skills to be taught in the session while the students looked on. Unable to wipe the smiles off their faces, the students got into two groups and soon the first part of the session which was the warm up was in progress. Every student both boys and girls had a feel of the warm ups.
After about 10 minutes of playing their side games, they went straight into their next part of the session which was to do some ball passing and control techniques as taught by the tireless volunteers, who instructed them in passing and ball control techniques, just the way seen in a real game situation. As much as possible, the Just Play programme wants to reflect real life situation as this is one opportunity to inspire young people into taking up the code seriously whilst simultaneously enjoying the game at a more relaxed environment.
After formal instructions and demonstration, the students got themselves organized and went through the drill with the volunteers. Both boys and girls had a chance of the session.
The one hour session with their students was tiring but they have achieved another objective of participation in football.
The condition of the sports grounds in some schools has been very challenging. With limited space for the students to enjoy or even overgrown by tall grass. There is a call for the Department of Education and the Board of Management to look into this and assist the schools, by keeping it in a usable condition, as sports are vital to the development and wellbeing of our children.