With the new programme set for release this month, the three-day Just Play instructor Course provides an opportunity for instructors to familiarise themselves with the new content, and how to teach and coach it.
Franck Castillo, OFC Head of Social Responsibility and International Relations, says he and his team are constantly making improvements by regularly monitoring and evaluating the Just Play Programme.
“Today it is our priority to further develop the programme in order to link with the long-term player development grassroots phase within our Member Associations,” he says.
“As a result the new community course content with 34 sessions is ready to be launched, with the nine month programme set to provide children with an opportunity to participate in more regular physical activities while also being equipped with the knowledge of healthy lifestyle choices and non-communicable diseases, gender equality and social inclusion.”
The Just Play Instructor Course is aimed at building a pool of competent qualified Just Play instructors to train teachers and volunteers to be able to deliver the new Just Play community course content, as well as the OFC D Licence Part 1, in each MA.
Led by the OFC social responsibility department, the course is being attended by instructors from the majority of the MAs. Tavita Taumua and Sarai Bareman, the CEOs of American Samoa and Samoa respectively, are both in attendance, as is special guest Melissa Palombi, a Sport for Development consultant for UNICEF.
On hand to officially open the workshop was OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas who says he was initially sceptical about the programme – but has seen the hard work and belief in Just Play pay off.
“When we took on Just Play in 2010 there were sceptics that didn’t believe in the merits of this programme,” Nicholas says.
“Today, as you know, Franck and his team have won Peace and Sport Federation of the Year for having the best social responsibility programme in the world.”
Nicholas adds that the programme has seen renewed funding and commitment from existing partners including the Australian Government through the Australian Sports Commission, Football Federation Australia and UEFA – as well as securing new partnerships with world renowned organisations such as UNICEF, which is a credit the people introducing Just Play around Oceania.
“On behalf of the OFC President David Chung and our Executive Committee I’d just like to thank you all. Thank you for what we have is a really successful programme in Just Play,” Nicholas told those gathered.
“The success of this programme is thanks to Franck and his team, and it also comes down to you for your faith in this programme and the hard work and sacrifices you’ve made along the way.
“The President has asked me to pass on his sincere appreciation to you as Just Play Project Managers, as CEOs, as Technical Directors – for your belief in this programme.”
The Just Play Instructor Course will conclude on Wednesday 12 March, after covering both the theory and practical of the new session content.
It will be followed by the Just Play Project Manager meeting on 13-14 March, which will cover evaluation, as well as strategic planning and bilateral meetings with each participating country’s representative.

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