FIAFIA SPORTS PROGRAM TRAINING
All those who undergo the Fiafia Sports Program Training are trained in implementing a structured, games based sports program.
Participants undergo an intense 3 day training which includes the following topics:

Participants receive resources such as the Teacher’s Manual, Posters and Activity cards to assist in implementing the program.

What is Fiafia Sports?

Fiafia Sports is a fun games based sport program aimed at improving physical activity opportunities and experiences for every Primary School child aged 5 – 14 years regardless of gender and ability.
The program is all about developing movement, and sports related skills and promoting fun and enjoyment by engaging children in a range of games and activities.
Furthermore, the program is designed to help all children attain optimum health. It will ensure that children develop the knowledge, skills, understanding and the motivation required to foster a life- long interest in sport and adopt a healthy and active lifestyle.
The Fiafia Sports Program will teach children through games and activities the basic fundamental skills and movement patterns which children will use for the rest of their lives whether playing sports or just being active. In addition, Fiafia Sports will be a co-curricular program, designed to complement the Primary Physical Education and Health Curriculum.
The wide range of games and activities which form the basis of the program will ensure that there is equal opportunity for every child, including those with special needs to play and develop skills.

Why Fiafia Sports?
Movement is very important for a child’s development. Research has proven children need to exercise and move just as much as they need to read books. Lead researcher Marianne Torbet put it best when she said,
“Moving is as natural to learning as breathing is to living” (Torbet, M, 2006)

Engaging in movement activities provides an important means for children to express, explore and discover many aspects of life relative to themselves and others. Moving is a natural form of expression and medium for learning.

The Principles of Fiafia Sports There are seven guiding principles for planning, organizing and implementing the program. These principles are Key in ensuring that one can skilfully plan movement activities that have the potential to meet important developmental needs for children:
The Benefits of being Active What are the benefits of children being part of the Fiafia Sports program or any activities involving movement? When skilfully planned, movement activities have the potential to meet important developmental needs such as: *Children being more focussed *Children paying more attention *Children being good listeners *Children learning from the environment *Children learning how to share *Children learning how to trust *Children learning to take initiative *Children Persevering *Children building their self esteem *Children learning how to become good leaders *Children learning about respect Developing Fundamental Skills Fundamental movement skills provide a foundation for many physical activities. Having these skills is an essential part of enjoyable participation and a lifelong interest in an active lifestyle. Fiafia Sports aims to enable children to learn and develop fundamental skills through play and games. This resource groups skills and activities under three fundamental skill categories. Note that these are not a checklist of skills: LOCOMOTOR SKILLS  involve the body moving in any direction from one point to another STABILITY SKILLS involve balancing the body either in one place (static) or in motion (dynamic) MANIPULATIVE SKILLS  involve handling and controlling objects with the hand, the foot or an implement (stick, bat or racquet). Manipulative skills in this manual include throwing and catching, striking with the hands, feet and an implement (e.g. kicking, volleying, batting and dribbling).