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Football Federation Australia to implement grassroots program in India

David Gallop and FFA might now want South Melbourne in the comp. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
5th April, 2016
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Football Federation Australia (FFA), joined by the Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, announced on Wednesday morning that a new grassroots football development program in India would be implemented and run by the FFA.

The program has been titled ‘Just Play’ and will be rolled out in 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala later this year.

Just Play is a venture between the Australian Government, The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), UNICEF and UEFA Foundation with the FFA being a partner.

The program has already been rolled out in 11 different countries in the Oceania already including American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga and Vanuatu.

“The program has helped over 200,000 children in Oceania learn football skills along with valuable health and well-being lessons. I look forward to making the same positive impact in Kerala.” said Julie Bishop.

The overall aim of the program is to give children between the age of six years old and 12 years old a positive first experience with the sport of football and also to educating them with lessons about important social issues in society such as gender equality and sanitation.

With the program being rolled out in generally third-world areas, it has had a hugely positive impact.

“Combining football with an educational agenda is a compelling way to engage with vulnerable children,” said Gallop. “It’s a way that football is Australia’s bridge to Asia and beyond.

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“The ‘Just Play’ program has a proven record over the past seven years and I’m sure that FFA’s expertise in coaching and development, supported by the Australia Government’s funding, will produce very worthwhile outcomes in India.” said FFA CEO David Gallop.

The FFA have also held preliminary discussions with authorities in India who have confirmed there will be access to facilities should the program ever expand beyond a pilot and the Kerala region.

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