A third phase of the Kau Mai Tonga Ke Tau Netipolo "C’mon Tonga Let’s Play Netball" was launched on Wednesday, May 14 in a continuing campaign to encourage Tongan women to become more physically active through netball.

The Minister of Education and Training Hon Dr ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki launched the program at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre and said it is time for Tongan women to take responsibility for their own health and to initiate change in their own communities to avoid the destructive consequences of Non-Communicable Diseases in Tonga.

The Tonga Netball Association (TNA), stated that this third phase will focus on a community call to action with community leaders calling others to physical activity.

The program had recently approved a Community Mobilisation Plan, which involves training of community mobilisers to become physical activity leaders in each of the seven districts in Tongatapu in a ‘Lets Get Active’ program.  In addition, NCDs nurses are also on hand to provide health support and information.

Tournaments

The netball tournaments will start in Tongatapu on June 14 before continuing to Vava’u, Ha’apai and ‘Eua in July. Registration of teams began today until the June 6 for Tongatapu.

Since the program's launch two-years ago the tournament had seen more than 560 teams at different ages participating throughout Tongatapu, Vava'u, Ha'apai and 'Eua, involving nearly 4000 women.

The Kau Mai Tonga won a WHO Healthy Islands Recognition Award for Best Practice last year in recognition of the multi-sectoral approach it adopted to deliver the program at the community level. The program is delivered by the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Health with TNA.

Attending the launch was the Minister of Internal Affairs Lord Vaea, Hon Lupepau’u Taione and the Acting Australian High Commissioner Mr Scott McLennan.