The initiative, which aims to promote physical activity among children aged 6-13, has been developed by Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) in close collaboration with its 11 Member Associations including Tonga Football Association (TFA).
With strong support from the Australian Government through its agencies the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), the ‘Just Play’ programme will be rolled out across the region over the next three years.
Activities in Tonga this week have included training workshops for over 50 teachers and volunteers who will run the project in 10 government primary schools.
The sessions, which featured dozens of eager students, were facilitated by OFC ‘Just Play’ project manager Franck Castillo and OFC ‘Just Play’ technical coordinator Yvon Avry. Local media turned out in force to cover the action.
Also taking place this week was the signing of a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Nuku’alofa between the TFA and the Tongan Government.
Present at the signing was Vice President of TFA the Honourable Moimoi Vaea, acting Director of Education Mrs Peaua Heimuli, acting Director of Sport Mr Viliami Liava’a and OFC representative Franck Castillo. The MOU defines the roles of each stakeholder in facilitating the ‘Just Play’ programme over the next three years.
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