Health message pushed through Village Festival

The popular Just Play Village Festival held in Rutaki last week was a huge success with 70 children participating in fun physical activities and games with lots of fun and smiles. Cook Islands Football through its Just Play program combined with five sporting organizations to put on this month’s Village Festival for youngsters aged five to 13. Children were ready to play in a fun, safe and supervised festival with the support of many parents. “We are thrilled with the support from the parents, school, community and children who were eager to participate in the six sports codes. The children learned the basic skills of the different sports aimed to encourage and promote physical activity, while also keeping hydrated with water,” said Just Play project manager Michelle Paiti.“The festivals are helping provide stepping stones for development by encouraging all children no matter what their age or skill level to participate and it is also giving them positive fun experiences which will hopefully encourage them to be active throughout their lives,” continues Paiti. The festival’s health message was hydration and encouraged the children to keep hydrated with water, which is best. Delivering this message was Alister Stevic from Cooks Cricket who certainly had all the kids engaged and responding to what was best for their bodies. “This initiative is using sports as a tool, aiming to provide positive participation for children while helping to promote awareness of key health messages that will help improve the lifestyles of our children in the future,” continued Paiti.Paiti would like to acknowledge Pacific Spring, athletics, cricket, rugby, netball and rugby league, for partnering up to deliver this month’s event and Australian Aid for continuing to support the Just Play Social Development Programme.

The popular Just Play Village Festival held in Rutaki last week was a huge success with 70 children participating in fun physical activities and games with lots of fun and smiles. Cook Islands Football through its Just Play program combined with five sporting organizations to put on this month’s Village Festival for youngsters aged five to 13. Children were ready to play in a fun, safe and supervised festival with the support of many parents. “We are thrilled with the support from the parents, school, community and children who were eager to participate in the six sports codes. The children learned the basic skills of the different sports aimed to encourage and promote physical activity, while also keeping hydrated with water,” said Just Play project manager Michelle Paiti.“The festivals are helping provide stepping stones for development by encouraging all children no matter what their age or skill level to participate and it is also giving them positive fun experiences which will hopefully encourage them to be active throughout their lives,” continues Paiti. The festival’s health message was hydration and encouraged the children to keep hydrated with water, which is best. Delivering this message was Alister Stevic from Cooks Cricket who certainly had all the kids engaged and responding to what was best for their bodies. “This initiative is using sports as a tool, aiming to provide positive participation for children while helping to promote awareness of key health messages that will help improve the lifestyles of our children in the future,” continued Paiti.Paiti would like to acknowledge Pacific Spring, athletics, cricket, rugby, netball and rugby league, for partnering up to deliver this month’s event and Australian Aid for continuing to support the Just Play Social Development Programme.