The initiative got underway at Pesega Fou Primary during one of the school’s weekly sports days this month.
Atufili Talaia, grassroots project manager for Football Federation Samoa (FFS), arrived at the school with two FFS volunteers to help the teachers pass on the Just Play message to their year five students.
These teachers had all participated in the Just Play training course held the previous week.
The pupils had clearly been looking forward to taking part in the programme and couldn’t wait to get started. One even had the benefit of testing her skills in some brand new sports shoes – five minutes before the first ball was kicked her mother rushed over with a shiny white and pink pair.
The year five students were the only ones able to participate due to the small size of the field.
Teacher Sister Satoa Frost says the school’s other age-groups will be given a chance to try the programme out over the next few weeks.
She believes Just Play will be of great benefit to the children.
“It’s great because not all students are good academically,” Sister Frost says. “Some of them are slow learners and this gives them the opportunity to excel in sports.”
She thinks big things could be in store for some of her young charges.
“Samoa is a small country and we are known worldwide due to our athletes participating in different sports around the globe. Who knows, a student from Pesega Fou might become the next Tim Cahill one day.”
The Australian government is helping fund Just Play in several of the Pacific countries and the programme is led by OFC Just Play technical coordinator Colin Tuaa, head of social responsibility Franck Castillo and consultant Vania Kenning.
Its aim is to encourage physical activity among young people by providing funding for football training programmes and equipment in primary schools across the Pacific region.
For more on Samoan football visit www.footballsamoa.ws