Savusavu is celebrating the return of the Just Play Programme for 2021 following the delivery of a 6-12-year instructor training course.
The town, located on the island of Vanua Levu in the Cakaudrove Province, welcomed the one-day instructor course at Kamendra Primary on Saturday.
Facilitated by Luke Raisele and Tomasi Suraki, members of the Northern Just Play team, with support from Just Play coordinator Filomena Liku, the course helped introduce 18 participants to the new Health and WASH curriculum of the sport for development programme.
Participants had a range of expectations for the course which included gaining leadership knowledge and experience, enhancing knowledge and understanding of the role sport can play in enhancing the lives of children in Fiji, and to learn tips on health, WASH and hygiene.
Part of the programme included identifying the social challenges which affect the local community, with gender equality, bullying, community expectations and peer pressure among the issues raised on the day.
Raisele said the course was delivered in a shorter time frame than normal, however he believes participants were given a thorough introduction to the new content.
“We did have a few transportation issues but we managed to complete the course and I was happy with the participation and buy-in from the participants,” he said.
“If I had to rate the one-day course, I would give it an eight out of ten.”
The Just Play Programme is implemented by the OFC Social Responsibility department alongside key partners the Australian Government, New Zealand Government, UEFA Foundation for Children, Football Australia and UNICEF.