The Just Play Fun Futsal tournament brought 600 + boys and girls to the Vava’u High School Indoor Hall regardless of it being the first time for the indoor sport to be introduced to the island.
Soane Mailangi, Just Play Development Officer for Vava’u, organized the fun futsal tournament which was aimed at bringing all sixteen communities to experience and enjoy futsal.
“These children were not aware that they could play the sport indoors, as at the thought of football, they think of it as an outdoor only game. They have only been playing football on the grass but, today, it was a whole new experience and excitement to play indoors”, Mailangi says.
“I am so thankful to our Just Play volunteers for the extra efforts they have put in to make this event successful, I can’t do it on my own but today we did it together and we have created a very happy environment for all the children,” Mailangi added.
Currently, a huge rugby tournament is underway in Vava’u, with almost all communities supporting their local teams. However, turn out for this fun futsal tournament says it all, not everyone is playing rugby, We, children of Vava’u want to play football/futsal.
Manatu Liava’a, the Manager of Vava’u Football office expressed her excitement to see many children come from near and afar to participate in this new sport.
“I’m so overwhelmed to see big numbers of our children come along in this program, and they did not care about this new game, but to play and to have fun,” Liava’a says.
“One of Vava’u’s pillars is to ensure that the people of Vava’u do not lack in any aspect of life. I believe that’s one of the reasons why we had 600+ children participate today, to see what the game is all about, how it is played and to play as if they have played futsal before,” Liava’a added.
During this fun futsal tournament, the Just Play Project manager, Palu Tu’amoheloa was on the island to witness this great activity organized by her department.
“What a day, I am very glad to be here and to witness the willingness, the excitement, the enjoyment of these children even-though futsal is new to them. The atmosphere was full of joy and delight as they all cheered to both teams,”Tu’amoheloa said.
“It is so obvious that these children will participate in any sports such as our program. I’ve realized these children just come out of their shells and break the barriers of confusion during this pandemic period,”she said.
“Making the effort to come, leads me to the need for further discussion with the TFA Competition department for more assistance. Futsal would be another great game for Vava’u,” Tu’amoheloa added.
“I wish to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all VFA staff and our volunteers for lending a helping hand to work together to enable these children to be more active and healthy. May I also extend my sincere thanks to all LDS Churches here for allowing their communities to use their facilities.”
Just Play reached out to 32 communities all over, which all focused on Health and Wash. And in the next 16 weeks, futsal will be the major focus for children U 8 and U 12.
Just Play is a sport for development programme supported by Australian Aid, New Zealand Aid, FFA, the UEFA Foundation for Children, OFC and UNICEF.
End.
