Just Play

To support the affected children and communities dealing with the widespread devastation, Vanuatu Football Federation have initiated the delivery of the Just Play Emergency Response Programme.

The Sport for Development programme uses the power of football to issue psychosocial support to children after an emergency. Children learn through play and gain meaningful knowledge such as how to keep themselves and their families safe following a natural disaster.

The workshop was facilitated by VFF Technical Mentors, Joel Rarua and Kaison Maki, with the collaboration of Vanuatu Just Play Mentors, Vital Tanemeulip and Benjamin Noel. With the participation of 14 Administrators and Development Officers from Port Vila Football Association, Tafea Football Association, Malampa Football Association and Sheva Football Association, which consists of the Southern Region.

VFF acknowledged OFC, and Just Play (FFA, Aus Aid, NZ Aid, UEFA and Unicef), FIFA and VFF local stakeholders for their support.

Photo supplied 

“This is the first time Just Play programme is implemented on Maewo, since its introduction in Penama province”, said Mr Ading.

The Just Play programme is launched with the delivery of Just Play courses which have been facilitated by the Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) with the participation of 28 teachers and community volunteers.

The courses have gathered different schools and communities from Maewo Island and Ambae Island that have been evacuated to Maewo because of Ambae’s volcano eruption.

Maltock said Sope will leave a large hole in the football landscape following years of tireless work in football development and with the OFC Just Play Programme.

“Emmie has always been incredibly passionate not just about progressing football, but in helping develop the people on the ground in our communities across the Pacific.

Humble, strong, generous and wise, Emmie has been a crucial cog in the success of the OFC Just Play Programme as the technical coordinator, but her work in football and this region extends much further, OFC said in a press release.

"As our colleague, we were privileged to work alongside Emmie. Her passion for football development, for gender equality, for the rights of women and children and the development of the communities she visited was unrivalled."

     One year on from the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Pam and six months on from Tropical Cyclone Winston, the Just Play Emergency Programme has been shortlisted for the Beyond Sport Innovation award in recognition of the work in both Vanuatu and Fiji.

Just Play Project Manager, Rorona Kalsakau said hundreds of kids turns up for the festival last week, thanks to the hard working staff, Anthony Kalia of Tanna and Dephanny Naliupis of Luganville, Santo.

“On the island of Tanna we had kids coming from remote village of Isini, Ifania and Konomas communities to Lamenu Stadium.” said Kalsakau.

“On the island of Santo, the kids came from Mango station and Chapuis area to Luganville Stadium.”

Just Play Vanuatu Project manager, Rorona Kalsakau said hundreds of kids turned up last weekend and enjoyed a special day of kids football and the main topic of the two festivals is Child Protection.

She thanked the JP coordinator of Penama Football Association, Father Albert Toalak for bringing the kids together.

During the festival the kids played basic football before exchanging key messages about how to make life safe in a community during their daily activities.