RAPPP supports WRCHS Sports Day

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force & Australian Federal Police Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP), delivered timely support to the White River Community High School (WRCHS) Sports Day which took place at Town Ground recently.

The program started with a parade followed by entertainment, speeches and gift presentations. The sports program involved futsal, volleyball, basketball and netball.

RAPPP and the Solomons’ International Assistance Force (SIAF) members attended the opening of the program and presented sports balls that were used in the day. RAPPP also provided headphones, t-shirts and speakers that are meant to be used as prizes.

The support to the school sport event is an initiative of the RAPPP Health, Wellbeing, Gender, Community, Youth and Engagement (HWGCYE) project.

HWGCYE Team Leader, Kristina Sauéha, said WRCHS was one of the schools that also participated in the RAPPP Copen Awareness Program that was rolled out in Honiara schools recently.

Sauéha said RAPPP is pleased to deliver the balls and other items to the school which they hope will add fun to the event.

Like other schools that participated in the Copen Awareness Program, WRCHS has benefited with copen use among students in the school declining.

“After the awareness program, RAPPP received positive feedback from WRCHS that the large number of children and students taking copen had reduced,” Sauéha said.

Speaking at the sports day, RAPPP Advisor Mark Weber, said sports help students to stay out of unwanted behaviours and this is something RAPPP is pleased to help promote.

In line with the RSIPF Crime Prevention Strategy, Weber said, RAPPP and SIAF have been engaging with schools to support students in staying away from problems such as drugs and criminal activities while encouraging them to play sport instead.

One of the highlights during the opening of the sport day was a tug-o-war between staff of WRCHS and the visiting RAPPP and SIAF members. RAPPP and SIAF members came away with the win after a hard fought battle.