The Just Play Programme is reaching out to children at Wesleyan Primary Schools not only to develop football, but to promote children’s health and hygiene.
There are eight Wesleyan Primary Schools here in Tonga and this is the first time the schools welcomed the Just Play Programme.
The Just Play Grassroots team along with volunteers will be visiting the Wesleyan Primary Schools for 16 weeks. Now into the fifth week of the visits, there is a belief that principals, teachers and children are really enjoying the programme.
Principal of Toloa’s Primary School ‘Asitamani ‘Ahomana said: “From what I have experienced as a teacher I can see how badly children are listening in class. Since the programme started, I can tell that children’s listening is really good.”
“When I see Lafaele running the activity and the method used such as cones, markers and bibs to identify the answers, I can see that children are more focused and listening to what Lafaele is explaining to them more than listening to the teachers in class.”
Acknowledging a change in the environment (classroom to the field), reflects the impact of the programme, as ‘Asitamani explained: “The Just Play Programme is really good and helpful not only for children but to all of us. I really loved soccer and I’m very happy to welcome soccer to this school. What I’m concerned about is that I know how children really loved playing soccer but I hope it will not attract children’s attention from their studies,” ‘Ahomana said.
The idea of the programme being introduced to schools was not only for children to play football, but to learn, to study healthy and active. One way this can be done is by teaching them the three types of food to eat, and the types of food to avoid.
Just Play Programme has lit a pathway for children in the future. Not only education can lead to a better life but sports including soccer can too.
Feedback from the principal of Vaotu’u’s Primary School, Vili Lotulelei said: “The programme is very good and I’m happy because children in this school are poor of good ability in education but as soccer joins and NRL I can tell that some of them have good ability in sports.”
“I am very excited for this programme and it doesn’t affect our school programmes. I’m really happy because I can see some of the children are really doing good in outside activities rather than inside the classroom. Sports is good because the children can have a better life and good opportunities in the future,” Lotulelei explained.
