Meitaki maata, Aussie

In between his busy Forum schedule, Australian parliamentarian secretary of Pacific islands affairs and foreign affairs Richard Marles took time out to check out the local ‘Just Play’ soccer programme.

Rarotonga soccer loving kids gathered at Tupapa field on Wednesday to say ‘meitaki maata’ to the Australian government and in particular to Marles who signs off on funding for the Just Play programme across the Oceania region.

Just Play was initiated by the Oceania Football Confederation and is a social development grassroots football programme based on participation and fun.

It offers everyone the chance to play without discrimination.

The programme is not only for schools but also for the wider community and youth groups.

It promotes an active lifestyle among youth who come from disadvantaged areas or have limited access to sports clubs.

Just Play is designed for children aged 6-12 and is based around structured activity as well as the distribution of equipment packs containing balls, cones, bibs, activity manuals and other resources that enable children to play football anytime and in any situation.

Marles encouraged all the children at the Just Play showcase to stick with soccer and get as much enjoyment out of the game as he has.

He added that soccer was a fantastic sport that not only keeps kids fit and healthy but a sport that both boys and girls can play together.

Over 70,000 children across the Oceania region take part in Just Play programmes of which 42 percent are girls.