The federation has been selected by VASANOC, which is the governing body for all sport in Vanuatu and is aligned to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as the recipient of the award due to its positive work amongst the country’s youth.
Grassroots development has long been a focus of VFF and that area has received even more attention in recent months due to the embracing of the OFC Just Play programme, a FIFA-approved initiative that promotes physical activity for primary school-aged children while encouraging community involvement and healthy living.
VASANOC secretary general Cyrille Mainguy is impressed with the progress made by VFF and feels the federation is deserving of the award.
“Congratulations to Vanuatu Football for a job well done, we should all be very proud of their achievements,” he said in presenting the trophy to VFF chief executive Fabien Hoeppe.
Hoeppe is pleased to have received such recognition but says the credit does not just belong to VFF.
“We are very proud of this award and it highlights the great support and commitment of our coaches, parents, teachers, volunteers, private sector partners, government and sponsors,” he said.
“Today, many children participate in the Just Play programme and in football activities in the primary schools of Vanuatu. Just Play is not only about football but also also about education, health awareness and gender equity.”
Developed by the OFC social responsibility and technical departments, Just Play is designed for children aged six to 12 and promotes physical activity while encouraging community involvement and healthy living.
It was first launched in Tonga and is now also running in American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu.
OFC is working closely with UEFA and 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 over a three-year period between 2009 and 2012.
The confederation has also been working in New Zealand with Special Olympics (NZ) on a Just Play programme for people with mental disabilities and has launched the new initiative in Samoa and Fiji.
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu

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