Just Play 2022 Report

JUST PLAY

The OFC Just Play program was established in 2009, initially designed as a football development initiative primarily focused on engaging children aged 6-12 years

This original program was crafted in alignment with the Millennium Development Goals, aiming to provide an environment where children could learn, grow, and explore football in a positive and meaningful manner It was first piloted in Cook Islands, Tonga, and Samoa in 2009, and its early success led to its expansion across most OFC Member Associations

What distinguishes Just Play from other grassroots programs is its unique integration of social messages into all sessions and activities Through these messages, children not only develop their football skills but also acquire important life lessons, including fostering healthy lifestyles, promoting inclusion for individuals with disabilities, advocating for gender equality, and increasing their engagement with schools and communities

To date, Just Play has reached an impressive 337,989 children across 11 Pacific Island countries and has ventured beyond the Pacific. In 2016, the Just Play pilot was launched in the Indian state of Kerala, followed by a launch in the state of Maharashtra in 2017.

The program has evolved over time. Since 2015, it has included the Just Play Emergency Program, which educates children on how to keep themselves and their families safe during emergencies and supports their recovery after cyclones or other natural disasters

Additionally, a Just Play program tailored for 13-18-year-olds was introduced in 2016, and in 2019, the 6-12 program was redesigned and expanded to include the Health and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) program These curriculums were realigned to support the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in September 2015 In its first post-COVID delivery in 2022, the program reached 12,077 participants through curriculum-based activities

Just Play serves as a tangible link between social and football development pathways at OFC and its Member Associations Its flexible programming model can be implemented in various ways, whether as a program tool, and an advocacy platform

Looking ahead to 2023, Just Play is set to launch and deliver curriculum content focused on gender, social inclusion, emergency preparedness, climate resilience, and life skills, further expanding its positive impact on the communities it serves

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

Our Goal

Improving the lives of children and young people through football

Our Vision

Enhance the quality of life for children, young people, girls, women, persons with disabilities, and communities

Our Mission

A future in football for all

Eight key impact areas, aligned to the SDG’s are addressed through curriculum for both the 6-12 years programming and the Sport 2 Life programme for 13–18-year-olds.

2022 IN NUMBERS

28,221 reached across Just Play Activity in 2022 6-12 yrs old reached through the Health and WASH programme

13-16 yrs old reached through Sport to Life Programme

10,782 girls reached in 2022

reached through the Emergency Response Programme Coaches/ Volunteers /Teachers trained

PROGRAMME IMPACT

49% 12% 24% 30%

increase in participants bring fruit to school

decrease in children who think only girls should do chores

increase in participants who think a female can coach just as well as a male

OVERALL PROGRAMME ACHIEVEMENTS

increase in participants who think people with a disability can play football

Despite significant COVID 19 disruptions causing lockdowns for much of 2022, the programme was still able to reach over 27,000 children in the Pacific.

A strong focus on Gender Equality with the development of new Just Play Plus Gender Equality Curriculum, delivering research on barriers to female participation and launch of the OFC Gender Equality Playbook in November 2022.

Delivery of workshops and training on Gender Equality reaching all team liaison officers, referees and volunteers at the Women’s Nations Cup in Fiji, and Gender Equality Playbook workshops in Auckland, New Zealand

Delivery of Wellbeing and Resilience Training for TFA Staff and subsequent delivery of the Just Play Emergency Response Programme reaching 5,050 children following the 2022 Tsunami, Earthquake and COVID 19 lockdowns including delivery in the outer islands of Eua and Vava’u

The re-launch of the Papua New Guinea Just Play Programme and hiring of their National Programme Manager

Hiring of the Just Play Programme Manager Kiribati Island ahead of their launch in 2023

FIJI

Delivered in

13,863

5,760

children (6-12 years old) were reached through the Health and WASH programme

&

69 15 Children were reached through the Fiji Just Play Programme in 2022.

Schools Communities

Programme themes included, Fruits and Vegetables Everyday, Be a WASH Champion, Healthy Body, Healthy Minds. In addition to the core Just Play curriculum festivals engaged 8,963 Children across 40 festivals delivering messages on Health and WASH, Gender Equality/Ending Violence. 71 participants with a disability were engaged, this included programme delivery at 2 special schools and hosting festivals that encouraged inclusion and integration to normalise and change perceptions around disability

coaches & teachers were trained in 2022 with

Past data has shown the effectiveness of having a female coach at changing the perceptions of young boys toward women and girls of these female (35% 61

20% with male coaches 45%

of participants with female coaches voted that only girls should do chores compared

Physical activity and nutrition are two key prevention measures for obesity. Fiji experiences high rates of NCD’s, with NCD’s being the largest cause of preventable death1. By bringing awareness to the causes of NCD’s and actively contribution to behaviour and attitude changes through the Just Play programme future generations are less likely to suffer from NCD’s and lead healthier lifestyles as a result

Similarly increases in handwashing can assist in preventing diarrheal diseases which is the leading cause 5-14yr old mortality in Fiji. By teaching children about effective handwashing anecdotal evidence the likelihood of contracting diarrheal diseases reduces

FIJI

Reach

13,863 4,900 47% 133 35%

Children Reached through Just Play activity

Children Reached through Just Play Curriculum

Girls participating in Just Play

Impact

coaches/ volunteers /teachers trained

female coaches/ volunteers/ teachers trained

7%

increase in those who are bringing water bottles to school

increase in girls participating in sports after school

increase in children bringing fruits and vegetables in their school lunches

“the changes in children have motivated the parents to take part in physical activities”.

– Community Volunteer, Kuiva Village

Osea’s Story

Like most kids growing up in the soccer crazy town of Ba, football is a language, a religion that they were exposed to from an early age Young Osea, would eagerly watch his cousins and friends go down to the FFA academy for Football and Just Play Fun games He would just sit around the neighborhood and watch the other Kids having fun

Osea Tavuna is a 15 year old boy with a disability. One day out of curiousity he followed his younger brothers down to the academy to watch the other boys partake in the Just Play Fun centre. He would stand far off from the Children watching quietly . During a Just Play Festival I noticed him standing and watching the other children having fun. I then invited him to be part of the games, I gave him a Just Play bib and he just broke into a smile

I’m so happy, through the Just Play Program I have made lots of friends and despite my disability, no 1 has treated me differently I love Just Play because I can be myself I enjoyed the different games in the stations, especially the smallsided games.

- Osea Tavuna

Just Play Coordinator West- Just Play Programme is a safe place to play Games are inclusive and can be modified accordingly.

That was the beginning for Osea he has never stopped coming to the academy.

He started mingling with the other children and started making new friends, the children accepted him despite his disability. Osea has made a lot of friends through the Just Play Programme.

FRENCH POLYNESIA

Just Play in French Polynesia is operated through the Fédération Tahitienne de Football

4,048 Children were reached through the Just Play curriculum and festival activities throughout 2022

8

schools delivered the Just Play curriculum focusing on messages of health, gender equality and social inclusion.

The Just Play programme provides opportunity for children to engage in regular physical activity, combined with targeted messages surrounding health and nutrition which can assist in reducing non-communicable disease such as diabetes

Diabetes has the highest prevalence in Tahiti with 25% prevalence in adults Diabetes is a preventable NCD which can be reduced through lifestyle factors such as physical activity and focusing on health and nutrition.

FRENCH POLYNESIA Reach

4,048

Children Reached through Just Play activity

1,379 44% 16 63%

Children Reached through Just Play Curriculum

Girls participating in Just Play

Impact

coaches/ volunteers /teachers trained

female coaches/ volunteers/ teachers trained

increase in boys and girls enjoying playing together after participating in Just Play

97% 27%

want to continue participating in the Just Play Programme in French Polynesia

increase in participants thinking people with a disability can play football after participating in Just Play

Sébastien’s Story

increase in children reporting eating fruits and vegetables every day after participating in Just Play

Arrivé de France à Tahiti en septembre 2021, Sébastien a eu la chance de pouvoir intégrer la Fédération Tahitienne de Football au sein du département Responsabilités Sociales afin d’assurer le suivi du programme Just Play

C’est sur le terrain et l’encadrement des actions qui lui procure les meilleures satisfactions Les messages sur les bienfaits du sport, la santé, le respect, le vivre ensemble sont pour lui les arguments forts du programme et des valeurs importantes.

-Profile of Sébastien Marchenay

SAMOA

Due to an extensive lockdown and change in the school terms in 2022, the Just Play curricula was not able to be delivered in schools. This was compounded by a change in staff and delays in hiring a programme manager. Samoa instead focussed on capacity building, training and engaging participants through festivals across 2022

Festival activity reached 652 children. Festivals included global handwashing day; safe sport, and several festivals focused on gender equality such as International Women’s Day, International Day for End Violence Against Women and Children and a “Soccer Sisters” festival focused on integrating fun and healthy activities and educational through football targeting youth and adolescent girls.

The longevity of Just Play in Samoa has seen behavioural change impacts with participants In particular noting the increases in physical activity and after school sport participation when engaging in the Just Play program. Participating in regular physical activity has a multitude of physical and mental health benefits as experienced through the program.

A recent study found that over 45% of primary school aged children in Samoa are overweight or Obese. This demonstrates the need that Just Play can satisfy in increasing physical activity levels which can reduce the overall obesity rate for children in Samoa.

22 coaches were trained on the Health and WASH curriculum in 2022 OFC Just Play Regional Programme Manager and Technical Consultant delivered capacity building training in October 2022 with the assistance of the FSS Programme Coordinator. A new Just Play Programme Manager was also identified, hired and trained in 2022

Reach

652 7 43% 22 171

Children Reached through Just Play activity

Festivals held coaches trained children with a disability participated in Just Play activity

13%

increase in Just Play participants engaging in sports training after school

(63% Just Play, 50% Non-Just Play)

Girls participating in Just Play

Impact

increase in Just Play participants playing outside after school everyday

(46% Just Play, 46% Non-Just Play)

Faafaetai’s Story

“As an adult sometimes it is hard to change to change our habits or the lifestyle we live until we hit rock bottom but for me, having the courage to make that decision I can say, it was a success because I was not only helping myself but my family and being a role model to the children I teach during Just Play sessions, especially those that are from the community I live in”

– Faafaetai Time, Just Play Samoa Volunteer

SOLOMON ISLANDS

In 2022 the Just Play Programme in Solomon Islands was delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions The programme adjusted to deliver regular curriculum sessions to 13–16-year-olds in the Kiu Community. This programme reached 255 participants with 15 coaches trained.

Just Play activity adapts local development priorities and local needs – including delivery of festivals to promote peace and integration following civil unrest in 2022. Further, 12 festivals and a Just Play tour of a remote Island promoted WASH with the local community.

Recognising that football has a critical role to play in helping to reduce risk factors among children in Solomon Islands are focusing on football for development as part of their overall strategy to build healthier individuals, communities and nations – prior to the escalation of regional epidemics in the areas of health, gender, inclusion and protection

With an understanding that children in Solomon Islands face significant challenges as they navigate their way through daily life, Just Play is focused on supporting the development of positive behaviors and practices among children

With obesity and diabetes on the rise, research indicates that 82% of children are insufficiently active in the Solomon Islands. Children are consuming soft drink on a daily basis, with less than 30% of children consuming fruits and vegetables daily Health and wellbeing outcomes are key areas of focus for the Just Play programme in Solomon Islands.

SOLOMON ISLANDS

2,824 2,569

Children Reached through Just Play activity

Reach

participants in festivals throughout 2022

37% 15 255

female engagement in programme activity

Impact

62%

decrease in participants thinking only girls should do housework after participating in Just Play

Coaches Trained in Just Play Curriculum

13-16 Year olds reached through regular Just Play Programme

of participants think a female can coach just as well as a male coach after participating in Just Play compared to 38% before

Henry and Frank’s Story

increase in knowledge of handwashing steps after participating in Just Play

“I am so happy with the program and the positive comments from the communities. I look forward to more engagement between the community and the program in the future.”

- Henry Kaniki, Advisor/Founder, Sirubai Voko Tribe Association

“Sport can bring hope in the life of a country, sport can bring life in the community, sport can bring life to families”

- Frank Zikada, United Church Minister

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Activity commenced in 2022 across both the school and community-based programmes as well as through festivals reaching a total of 710 children The Covid-19 pandemic and PNG election crisis acted as barriers to delivering the programme throughout 2022.

2 trainings were organised for coaches and 90% of the coaches reported that they found the training to be useful and they felt equipped to deliver the program. The trainings encourages youth to take up leadership and capacity-build skills within the Just Play Programme, enhancing employability and education

11

Primary schools with Just Play activities

participants were reached in the 1st pilot phase and implementation of the Just Play activities

3

Communities in National Capital District – Port Moresby implemented Just Play activities

217

children were engaged in Just Play festivals during the reporting period.

The Just Play Programme has expanded via festival activities in other provinces such as Kimbe, West New Britain Province. Festivals have proven to be a valuable engagement tool to reach new locations and deliver the program with key messages.

The introduction of football into communities and schools that are mainly dominated by other sports Children have learned more fun and simpler ways to go about washing their hands and eating healthily Sanitation and Hygiene is a focus area for PNG with a focus on improving health and wellbeing through the Just Play Programme

Water-borne diseases are highly prevalent in PNG, which can be prevented through promoting handwashing with soap. Issues pertaining to WASH have shown to reduce school attendance, promoting positive hygiene habits can assist in reducing water-borne disease and ultimately improve education, health and wellbeing.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Reach

710 43% 15 45%

Children Reached through Just Play activity

girls participation in Just Play activity

coaches, volunteers and teachers trained in the Just Play Programme

Impact

female coaches trained in the Just Play Programme

“I feel that the Just Play program’s impact on school beneficiaries is something that is immediately noticed The way children react to messages on WASH after each session is very encouraging”

– Mickey Tamarua, age 25, Just Play PNG M&E and Media Officer

*due to covid delays no post-questions were collected in 2022

Elizabeth’s Story

My favorite part is the Mini-match. It’s like we learn tips and tricks in the first two sessions (WARM UP AND DRILL) and try to do them in the mini-match. I love it because we get to play soccer (football) in different ways every session.

One thing I learned is always to try to speak up One of the themes is USE YOUR VOICE It applies to us because we need to speak up about our ideas and emotions

- Elizabeth Baing, Just Play PNG Participant

TONGA

In 2022 Tonga experienced the volcanic eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano in January which caused extensive damage and triggered tsunami waves impacting 84% of the population of Tonga.

Psychosocial recovery with a focus on wellbeing was identified as key area of support football could assist with During the natural disaster the mental health and wellbeing of participants was drastically impacted

Reports from NEMO scoping the initial impacts of the Tsunami and Volcano Eruption called for immediate action to support school participation and provide psycho-social support to those impacted Pre-surveys of Just Play Participants found that 94% of children surveyed felt scared, upset, sad or angry during the tsunami/volcano emergency

As a result the Just Play Emergency Programme focused on Mental Health and Wellbeing for stakeholders of the Just Play Programme and the psychosocial support that was provided to the children through the staff and stakeholder

All staff at TFA completed a four-week Wellbeing and Resilience programme to assist them in their mental health and wellbeing following the eruption and tsunami. This was delivered online due to the lockdowns and outbreak of COVID 19 Staff rated this as extremely impactful in supporting their recovery and giving them tools to support their communities following the eruption

The Just Play Emergency Programme in Tonga reached:

The Just Play Emergency Programme featured: training sessions reaching

4

including

5,050 children 2,252 girls

teachers, coaches and volunteers from Atata Island, Eua Islan, Ha’apai Island, Tongatapu and Vava’u Island.

Reach TONGA

of participants reported being happy after the programme compared to 32% before

of teachers reporting children seeming happier to be in school after the Just Play Program

78% of children learnt about food safety and security

of teachers believe the Emergency Programme assisted the community in psycho-social recovery from the disaster

learnt how to cope during an emergency

69%

of children learnt how to protect themselves

difference in thinking only girls should do chores when involved in a programme with a female coach.

Fanueli’s Story

Fanueli Fanga’I’uiha is an active and healthy boy, who grew up at Patanga and the ocean has been their main source of living. He has experienced cyclones and it devastation but never like what he have experienced after the volcanic eruption of Hunga Tonga and Hunga Haapai and the tsunami it has produced

With that, it destroyed their home causing him to be quieter than usual. Worse comes to worse, his life was affected because of his experienced with the tsunami he became numb/stiff and black out when he is scared or tired.

With the introducing of the Emergency program into schools including Fasi moe afi Government Primary School, Fanueli teacher see Fanueli in a different level. “It is always a challenge to have a student with special need in your class”, said Halamehi “Thinking of sport and the impact it might cause to a special lives like Fanueli, is unpredictable.

However, Fanueli has a very special interest to become a soccer player. Due to his situation, I thought that if this is what he wants, why I would hold him back despite of his health situation

I prove myself wrong because when Fanueli involved in the program, I could see him smile, run a bit, move around and also slowly gaining strength and confident

Fanueli’s great take away from the program was learning about the safe spaces/places and where to go when natural disasters happened. The impact of the Just Play Emergency program on him really helped him recover well and get back to normal life as a healthy and active boy.

The program cannot brings back the belongings that Fanueli owns, but it can brings back smiles and hopes for the lives of Fanueli.

VANUATU

In Vanuatu Covid-19 lockdowns saw changes to accessing schools and communities through Just Play. Vanuatu pivoted to complete a programme tour to reach communities. The Just Play Programme is providing a safe place within the community for girls to participate in community-based programmes outside of school.

Physical inactivity is prevalent within Vanuatu with 16.5% of children girls and 12% of boys considered overweight. By changing behaviours after school to include increases in physical activity and playing outside can lead to a reduction in overall overweight and obesity rates. Longer terms this can assist with the reduction of NCD’s such as diabetes.

Just Play in Vanuatu reached 1,074 children in 2022 with 45% participation of girls in community-based programmes and Just Play Festival Tour of schools

The Just Play programme is managed by a female team from VFF, and actively creates career pathways and opportunities for capacity building for both males and females 130 volunteers attended Just Play training and programmes with 75% female attendance

17 (5 teachers, 12 community volunteers) participants were involved in a combined training and capacity building programme focussing on the delivery of the Just Play Programme, with a specific focus on the Health and WASH curriculum 9 volunteers and coaches were engaged in a Just Play Health and WASH workshop in September from 6 communities.

VANUATU

1,074 43% 130 75%

female participation participants through the Health and WASH Curriculum and Festival Activity

Community Volunteers and teachers trained

Reach Impact

Female Volunteers /Coaches

16

Primary Schools

8

Community Based programmes

19%

of participants like having a female coach after participating in the Just Play Programme in communities compare to 60% before

13%

increase in girls playing outside after the Just Play Programme

increase of Just Play Participants who state they want to participate with someone with a disability

of boys and girls reported enjoying playing together after participating in the Just Play Programme compared to 42% before

Madleen’s Story

Miss Madleen Avock is a 26 years old young woman from Paama Island Madleen is a resident of Luganville Town at the Red Kona Community , situated on Santo Island

Madleen has first been involved with the Just Play programme in 2022, she was first introduced to the Just Play programme in May 2022 through an introductory workshop

Madleen has first attended the Just Play Health & Wash course in September 2022, and she has successfully completed the 8 weeks JP Wash sessions. In 2023, she has joined the Luganville JP Team as a Development Officer.

Madleen Avock has successfully carried out the Wash sessions with the children from the Red Kona area and from her Sunday school programme

Madleen has asserted that carrying out all the sessions in her community was her favourite part with the Just Play programme.

Because through the Just Play programme, she gets to know and communicate with all the children And also by educating the children to keep themselves healthy at all time

Through her experience with the Just Play programme, she has also learn to speak in front of many children and in educating the children on how to keep themselves safe, healthy and to be physically active every day.

When asked to describe in one word the Just Play programme, Madleen picked “FUN”. Because the children have a fun experience when participating in the Just Play programe and because she gets to explore different fun ways to get the children to understand or explore the games and learnings from the programme