Get ready for another thrilling year filled with fun, friendship, and transforming lives through the incredible power of football.
Just Play is an inspiring multi-country sports development program created by the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) for youth aged 6 to 18. Since 2010, this initiative has been making waves in Tonga, empowering children to grow, learn, and thrive through the beautiful game. The program does not just promote positive attitudes; it also equips young participants with essential life skills, paving the way for them to shine both on and off the field.
Through Just Play, participants gain valuable lessons that tackle issues like gender-based violence and bullying, while building resilience to face life’s challenges head-on. What is even more exciting is that the program encourages youth to take this newfound knowledge and spread it throughout their communities, creating an uplifting culture of growth and support.
We are thrilled to announce that Just Play will host the following dynamic trainings in the coming months.
The first training kicks off from February 13th to 14th, focusing on our Emergency Preparedness Curriculum for Government Primary schools. However will continue another two-day training on the 8th and 9th of April focus on Sport 2 Life skills curriculum aiming for High Schools/College and Premier Football Clubs. We will be collaborating with dedicated Government Primary, High, College School teachers and community volunteers to equip them for delivering our program in schools and communities. Following this two-day trainings, we will embark on daily visits to Government Primary Schools for eight weeks during Term 1.
However, we will then head to Vava’u and Ha’apai, where we will officially launch the Gender Equality Curriculum with an exciting three-day training with Government Primary School teachers and community volunteers. Vava’u will host this training from July 1st to 3rd, and Ha’apai will follow from September 15th to 17th, followed by daily school visits in Term 3.
For ‘Eua, we are thrilled to introduce the new Gender Equality curriculum through a festival during Term 4, giving them a chance to familiarize themselves with the curriculum ahead of its official launch in the future.
Project Manager Lafaele Moala expresses positivity for what is ahead: “As we await confirmation from the Ministry of Education, we’re excited to kick off our program in the Government Primary Schools in Tongatapu”
“We hope to wrap up our program this year with a Mini Tournament between Government Primary Schools by the end of Term 4! While we know challenges may arise, we are fully committed to tackling each one head-on and working together to reach our goals and create a meaningful change in our program this year.”
Our aspiring target is to engage 7,500 participants aged 6-12, fostering physical activity and teaching vital life skills that resonate through sports, life, and community involvement for our young children in Tonga. We are especially passionate about reaching our centers for people with disabilities, ensuring everyone is included and feels valued. As shown above on the upcoming trainings we aim to deliver our program to Government Primary Schools, High Schools/College and Premier Football Clubs.
We firmly believe that our program can break down barriers and unite people in joy and friendship. We are dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact on the lives of young children across Tonga.
For the latest updates on our exciting journey, be sure to follow us on our Facebook page, Tonga Just Play Program-TFA, to remain in the loop with everything we have planned this year.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous donors for their unwavering support. Without you, we would not have achieved these milestones or come this far. We eagerly look forward to collaborating closely with all of you again throughout this year.
Let us gear up for an amazing year ahead!
