Sport helps people around the world through life issues and to develop their standard of living.
Behind every sports person there is a pathway which has been followed since childhood with goals which they’ve set to achieve in the future. With the benefit of the Just Play Programme, it motivates children to embrace and develop their love of football.
Four current members of the National Women’s Team preparing for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 qualifiers began their journey in football with the Just Play Programme.
‘Ana Taimani Polovili developed her passion for football at the age of eight when she became involved to the Just Play Programme after being introduced by her father. She’s now a football lover continuing her journey at the highest level possible in Tonga.
“I joined the Just Play Programme when I was in primary school not only that but in my village too. My father used to take me every Saturday to the Just Play Programme and I enjoyed it,
“Not only did I learn about football skills but also, I learnt lessons such as discipline and respecting others. The progamme motivates me by helping to provide me with a dream to one day become a best player and national player for my country in Football,” Polovili said.
The Just Play Programme delivers important messages to communities and schools not only to promote football skills but life skills too. It leads young children to aim for goals and to learn to achieve it not only in football but in different areas.
Mele Makitaline Kafa, a young athlete and netball player chose to become involved in the Just Play Programme and transformed into a talented football player. Kafa loves the Just Play Programme where she learned about important messages which have impacted not only her physical wellbeing, but her mental and emotional wellbeing too.
“I love being involved in the Just Play Programme because I get to meet a lot of children. It brings us close and to know each other very well also, it teaches me to respect others and become one family even though were from different backgrounds,
“Becoming a National Player, I can see that the lessons I learned from the Just Play Programme have helped me with developing my football skills and for my passion about football,” Kafa said.
“There may be challenges you faced growing up but this programme helps me to keep pushing and work hard to achieve any goals I have,” Kafa added
Promoting Gender Equality in the Just Play Programme encourages both genders to know that they are equal. Sports are sometimes known as for boys only but the programme reminds children from a young age that it is meant for everyone.
Kafa and Polovili agree that involving girls and boys into the programme allows them to grow up loving and respecting each other inside and out from when they are still at a young age. It also helps to improve how they play but mostly reminds them that sport is not only for men but for all. Gender Equality in sports combines children closely and to know how to treat one another nicely.
Sport brings happiness and great achievement to everyone no matter what gender you are or age group you’re in. It reminds people that they can set goals and have pathways to go through to achieve their goals.
