The workshop was conducted by Head of OFC Social Responsibility Franck Casillo, Just Play Technical Coordinator, Emmie Sope and UNICEF Pacific, sports for development consultant, Melissa Palombi.
“On behalf of Vanuatu Football Federation, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Just Play for delivering a very good programme in Vanuatu,” said Vanuatu Football Federation ( VFF) Chief Executive Officer Albert Manaroto.
“Many children have learnt the basics of playing football because of the Just Play Programme over the last five years.
“I want to encourage all the faithful coordinators to continue to encourage the kids in our areas to live a healthy lifestyle and encourage them to play football.”
On behalf of OFC, Castillo expressed gratitude to VFF for supporting the implementation and continued presence of the programme in Vanuatu.
“Social issues in our community are important issues that we need to address,” he said.
“We need to educate our children by encouraging them to make healthy lifestyle choices, which will help reduce the risk factors associated with NCD’s, promote gender equality, encourage social inclusion and make kids aware of their surroundings.
“Coordinators must be creative, use visual tools, colours, create clear communication channels with the children and most importantly utilise the Just Play kits.
“We have done well in the last five years and touched and helped thousands of children in Oceania. But I want to let you all know that this is just the beginning and there is still lots to be done in the islands.
“I want to encourage all you coordinators to continue to spread the good news of living a healthy life and enjoy playing football.”
The Just Play Coordinators workshop started on Monday 27 April and will conclude on Friday 1 May at Teouma Football Academy in Port Vila.
About Just Play
The Just Play programme is a sport for development programme that helps children to grow, learn and explore through sport. Just Play gives a child a ball, a coach and a safe place to play. The programme shows children how to have fun with other children, be physically active and become confident in their abilities. Through the integration of social messages, Just Play helps children to develop healthy lifestyles habits, encourages gender equality and leaders in the community, promotes social inclusion and insists on sport for all.
OFC has worked closely with UEFA, the Australian Government – through its agencies the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) – Football Federation Australia and UNICEF to implement the programme across the Pacific. It was 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.
For more information on the programme please visit: justplayofc.org
For more on Vanuatu football visit www.vanuafoot.vu.

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