With a variety of sports activities on offer children aged between five and 13 years old were welcomed with open arms to take part in the initiative instigated by CIFA Just Play manager Michelle Paiti and Public Health’s Karen Tairea.
“We are very excited to continue this community initiative that provides opportunities for all our children to be active and learn key health messages,” Paiti says.
The programme runs once a month in different villages around Rarotonga. Partnerships have been built and strenthened with Public Health and other sporting codes to help promote awareness of NCD’s and provide more opportunities for development for our younger ones.
With around 125 children turning up, it proved the biggest turnout since the initiative was introduced.
“We were overwhelmed with the awesome turnout from the children of Tupapa Maraerenga as well as those from nearby villages,” Paiti says.
“This was the biggest turnout since this programme began in March last year and we hope it continues throughout the year with a challenge now for all villages to match or better this number.”
Paiti says all children are encouraged to come and take part in the actitivities and games which provide a great taster of a variety of sports, including football.
“A series of activities will be on a rotational system so all the children that attend can experience all sorts of different sport games,” she says.
The Ministry of Health uses the event to promote health messages, with February’s message being 5+ a Day, with the children encouraged during the compulsory water breaks.
Paiti would like to thank all current partners of the programme along with rugby league, which is joining in for the first time.
“I’d also like to acknowledge Australian Aid for the funding of the Just Play social development programme in the Pacific.”

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