Andrew Funaki has been a Just Play participant since he was seven years old and has now become one of the programme’s newest volunteer recruits.
Flashback to Andrew being seven years old. His late father Taitusi Funaki was very interested in the game of football. Every afternoon he and his father would always have time to play football together, just for fun. As he became more familiar with the sport, Andrew wished to learn more skills and learn more about the sport.
Andrew grew up with two older brothers and an older sister and they are all football players. As the youngest, he would watch them playing and longed to follow in their footsteps. Andrew was introduced to the Just Play program through his older brother, Melie Funaki.
“One day the program was delivered in Melie’s school and he got invited to participate in the program at the Home of Football. Our father thought this could be the chance for us to all play the same sport. Every Saturday he never failed to take us to participate in the Just Play Program. This is the moment that I felt happy, knowing I would be playing together with my siblings”.
While participating in the program, his favourite part is seeing what an inclusive program it is, allowing children from other villages to come together to play.
“On my first day at the program, I was surprised to see boys and girls were playing together. I enjoyed learning and having fun at the same time. Not only learn about the sport, but the engagement between the participants. The program encourages us participants to strive for the best and not focus on losing or winning, the important thing is to showcase our ability and what we can do”.
Taking the program as a pathway for Andrew in football, he was identified as a talented player and selected to represent Tonga at the OFC Men’s U-19 World- Cup Qualifier held at Tahiti in 2022. From all the achievements and experiences that he has had coming through the program, the Just Play Master Instructor, Lafaele Moala invited to become one of the volunteers for the program.
“I am excited to be part of the program as a volunteer. Working as a volunteer for the program reminds me of my late father. I believe this is an opportunity for me to not only give back to the program and help me build my confidence and show my potential in football but to continue following in my father’s footsteps, in sharing his love for football with other children. I just wish my father was here to witness this success in football but I know deep in my heart he is proud of me”.
Although his father missed and could not witness Andrew’s achievements in football, but Andrew admits he believes that his father is watching from above and his very proud of him.
