Using Sport to Promote Health and Wellbeing in the Pacific

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), based in Auckland, has been at the forefront of using sport for international development in the Pacific Islands since 2009. Their flagship initiative, Just Play, employs a play-based learning approach to promote healthy lifestyles among children. Celebrating its success, the programme even captured the attention of Prince William during his visit to the Solomon Islands in 2012. (It is no mean feat to play soccer in a suit in tropical humidity!) Just Play gets the Royal Seal of Approval - YouTube 

Kirsty in Vanuatu with Penama Provinces's OFC Coordinator - Father Albert, 2017

Securing Support for Expansion 

To continue and expand this impactful programme, OFC sought funding from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) in 2014 and again in 2018. Enlisting the expertise of Kirsty Burnett, they aimed to pilot new activities in primary schools across Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Thanks to Kirsty's guidance, the funding application was successful, enabling the programme to reach Kiribati and extend its focus to secondary schools. Additionally, Just Play Plus introduced components that promote water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices, alongside plans to address humanitarian crises caused by extreme weather. 

Strategic Development and Community Engagement 

Kirsty played a crucial role in refining OFC's strategy for sustainable international development and structuring their application. The programme prioritises measurable behaviour change and community engagement to ensure lasting impact. Simple, effective monitoring tools were developed to track progress and gather local stories, ensuring the programme's benefits are both visible and sustainable. 

OFC's Appreciation

Franck Castillo of OFC expressed gratitude for Kirsty's pivotal role: "We are so grateful to Kirsty for her knowledge of MFAT’s business processes for concept note applications and other connections. She was a true champion for us at all opportunities." 

Through the dedicated efforts of OFC and support from partners like MFAT, the Just Play programme continues to make a significant difference in the lives of children across the Pacific Islands, harnessing the power of sport to foster health and resilience.