Football, Live It With Love!!

The Youth FA Digital Magazine November 2023

PHOTO: DOMENIC AQUILINA

Issue No. 1

‘I’m happiest when I’m playing football’ Interview with Malta midfielder Matthew Guillaumier → PAGES 3-7

INTERVIEW

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“We must give our kids the freedom so that, in their happiness at practising football, they can develop their creativity”

Nursery Focus

- Fr Hilary Tagliaferro

All set for first U-7 Festival for season 2023-24

Latest news from our youth nurseries

PAGES 8-10

PAGES 12-14

PAGES 16-20

Spreading a positive message, promoting wellbeing! PAGE 21 • UEFA Playmakers: Football opportunities for girls PAGE 23

The Youth FA Digital Magazine November 2023 Issue No. 1

The Youth Football Association c/o The Centenary Stadium, Ta’ Qali, ATD 4000, Malta 00356 21237080 info@theyouthfa.org.mt

← EDITORIAL

FB The Youth Football Association Instagram youthfa_malta

President: Norman Darmanin Demajo General Secretary: Stephanie Rocco CEO: Joe Cassar Youth FA Council Members: Carmel Bugeja, Joe Mallia, Francis Zammit, Joe Baldacchino, Mark Pullicino, Simon Spiteri, Paul Vella Honorary President: Fr Hilary Tagliaferro Honorary Members: Alfred Cacciottolo, Joe Micallef Editor: Kevin Azzopardi Photos: Domenic Aquilina, Stephen Gatt, Archives

Football, Live It With Love!!

We could not think of a better name for our first online magazine as the slogan created by Fr Hilary Tagliaferro perfectly captures the mission of the Youth Football Association to promote football in its purest form while supporting our nurseries’ sterling work at grassroots level.

We are very pleased to be launching the first edition of Football, Live It With Love!! on this special occasion for the Youth FA as we celebrate 40 years of volunteering in the youth football sector.

This digital publication is intended to shed light not only on the projects and activities of the Association but also the events and good practices of our youth nurseries who are the lifeblood of youth football on the Maltese islands.

In the words of Youth FA President Norman Darmanin Demajo, “our magazine aspires to be a beacon of inspiration, information, and integration for our football community.

“With compelling articles, exclusive interviews, and engaging content from our Club Nurseries, we aim to nourish the minds and spirits of our

young players, coaches, and staff across all 50 clubs registered with the Youth FA”.

The first issue features an insightful interview with Matthew Guillaumier, one of the leading players in our country who began his football journey with a local football nursery, another with Fr Hilary and articles about Youth FA projects as well as initiatives by other football stakeholders that promote football among children.

All nurseries have been invited to submit a short feature about their ongoing projects.

While thanking those who have responded to our invitation, we encourage more nurseries to grab this opportunity in future issues of this magazine.

We do hope you enjoy reading the first issue of Football, Live It With Love!!

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PHOTO: DOMENIC AQUILINA

‘I’m happiest when I’m playing football’

id cial! EW k R e e TH IE T p M A Th s s M LAU L i I

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It says all about Matthew Guillaumier’s talent that, at 25 years of age, he has already won the prestigious Malta FA Footballer of the Year award twice and the MFPA Best Player honour once.

Matthew is the perfect example of a local boy who is living his football dreams through a combination of talent, dedication and commitment. A product of the St Andrews youth nursery, Matthew is an automatic choice for the national team and plays as a full-time professional with Polish top-flight club Stal Mielec. Kevin Azzopardi recently caught up with the affable midfielder…

Your early football steps... when did you start playing and how did you fall in love with the game?

I began playing football at the age of three with Luxol St Andrews. I fell in love with the game before I could remember! I always loved playing with a ball since I started walking.

Tell us something about your upbringing – family, school and football...

I was brought up in a football family as all of them love football and we all used to support my uncle, Joseph Farrugia, by going to watch his games.

I used to go to watch his training sessions with my grandfather too, although to be honest I would end up playing football rather than watching the session.

At school, we always used to play football whenever we could and the topic of discussion, more often than not, was football too.

Did you practise any other sport apart from football?

No, football was always the game for me!

However, I used to enjoy playing other sports in PE lessons. Another sport I liked to play at school sometimes was basketball.

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What are the best memories from the years spent as a member of the St Andrews FC Nursery?

When you are young, you enjoy playing with your friends and those are the best memories I have… training, playing and winning games with some of my best friends. A memorable trip I will always remember fondly was travelling to Rome with the Under-15 team and playing two matches!

How do you view the impact of the coaching and education you received at nursery level on your career progression?

It does play a big part and I think I am lucky in the sense that I had many coaches who have helped me get better in different ways, some technically, some tactically and some mentally.

Matthew Guillaumier with the late Paul Falzon, former president of St Andrews.

What made you enjoy football the most as a child and teenager and, perhaps, was there anything you would have done differently?

I don’t think I can specify exactly, I just love to play the game and know that I am the happiest when I am playing! No, I would not change anything because everything that has happened led me to this point today where I am very happy with every aspect of my life and that is the most important thing.

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“My debut with the national team against the Faroe Islands in 2019, I am very proud of that moment. It was the first competitive victory for Malta after several years, so I was over the moon to have contributed to this from the first minute” School and education – Are these important priorities in your life in parallel with your football career?

Yes, I have always made sure to continue my education and recently graduated with a Bachelors in Sport Management. Now I am taking a break from my academic studies and evaluating what I could do next with regards to my education.

You have already played over 30 games for the national team… what does representing your country mean to you?

It is the greatest feeling, I am honoured and proud to wear the Maltese shirt each and every time I am representing our country.

Best moments of your football career so far, at club and national team level…

My debut with the national team against the

Faroe Islands in 2019, I am very proud of that moment. It was the first competitive victory for Malta after several years, so I was over the moon to have contributed to this from the first minute.

The game against Levski Sofia away with Ħamrun Spartans in the UEFA Europa Conference League last year, which we won 2-1 on the night to advance to the play-off round of a European competition after penalties. It was one of the craziest games I’ve been involved in, played in a full stadium with over 15,000 spectators.

I managed to score during the game and also scored my penalty in the shoot-out. This was the first time a Maltese team reached the play-off round of a European competition.

Lastly, my recent match with Stal Mielec when we beat Legia Warsaw 3-1 away in a full stadium of 22,000. It was our first away win of the season and I played every minute.

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What are the challenges and demands of playing professional football in a different country?

I am living alone at the moment, so that is the toughest part of it.

I miss my girlfriend, my dog and my family, but I am lucky that they all support me and come up as often as they can!

What is your advice to all the young Maltese players at nursery level who dream of following in your footsteps?

My advice is to enjoy the process and enjoy the game! If you don’t enjoy playing football and everything that comes along with it, it may be hard when it comes to making the sacrifices needed.

Also, never stop working hard and trying to improve, that is the attitude I think every footballer should have.

Matthew Guillaumier at his presentation as a new signing for Polish club Stal Mielec last summer.

“My advice (to children and youths) is to enjoy the process and enjoy the game! If you don’t enjoy playing football and everything that comes along with it, it may be hard when it comes to making the sacrifices needed” There are a few more memories I have as the list goes on but I would say these are some of the highlights. Obviously, I’m also proud of the individual rewards, but games are more memorable for me because of the emotions attached.

You are enjoying a positive first season with Stal Mielec in Poland. How would you describe your experience so far?

I think it has been good so far and hopefully it can keep getting better. The first months were harder as I arrived a week before the start of the season without a proper preseason but I have worked my way into the team and will keep striving to be in the starting 11 and winning games.

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↓ MATTHEW GUILLAUMIER

Up, Close and Personal...

h Farrugia sep Jo

Who were the players, local and foreign, you looked up to as a teenager?

Locally, my uncle Joseph Farrugia (who I mentioned before) and Michael Mifsud were the two players I looked up to.

I’ve always loved Cristiano Ronaldo and idolised him. There were many other footballers I looked up to growing up to try and learn from the way they play, especially midfielders such as Pirlo, Scholes, Xavi and Iniesta.

Your favourite club…

Manchester United Your favourite shirt number… 6 Your favourite playing position…

Central Midfielder Your room-mates with the national team… Alex Satariano and Cain Attard Do you like cartoons? If yes, who was your favourite character as a child?

Yes I liked them a lot! I love Pokemon and watch it still, so maybe that is my favourite.

Favourite movie… The Blind Side

Full name Matthew Guillaumier Cris tia

aldo Ron no

What is your biggest ambition in football?

To play in the best league I possibly can abroad and also play in the Europa League or Conference League group stages.

Date of birth 9 April 1998 (age 25) Position Midfielder Team information CURRENT TEAM Stal Mielec Number 16 YOUTH CAREER –2013 St Andrews 2013–2015 Empoli SENIOR CAREER Years Team 2013 St Andrews 2015–2016 St Andrews 2016–2020 Birkirkara 2020–2023 Ħamrun Spartans 2022 → Siena (loan) 2023– Stal Mielec

Favourite music… R&B/hip-hop Favourite food… Pasta Bolognese Favourite video game… EA FC 24

INTERNATIONAL CAREER 2014 Malta U17 6 (0) 2014-2016 Malta U19 9 (2) 2015-2018 Malta U21 15 (1) 2019Malta 33 (2)

Facebook, Instagram or Tik Tok? Instagram

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← INTERVIEW FR HILARY TAGLIAFERRO

‘Life is beautiful but sports helps you to lead a good life’ At 89, Fr Hilary Tagliaferro may have taken a step back from his football administration duties in recent years but his love for the Beautiful Game and his keen interest in the development of youth footballers still burn bright…

priest with an innate passion for football, a caregiver and philanthropist who never ceases to amaze with his dedication and determination to help the needy.

The principles and values at the heart of Fr Hilary’s religious and missionary work over much of the past seven decades are also reflected in his multi-faceted contribution to Maltese football… he was probably the first priest to become a football coach at the top level and administrator, he was a football journalist, commentator and television presenter, and he is also the founder of the Youth Football Association in 1982.

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After leading the Youth FA for almost four decades, Fr Hilary called time on his tenure as president in June 2021, handing over the reins to Norman Darmanin Demajo. Citing his venerable age as the main reason behind his decision to scale down on his commitments, Fr Hilary said he had been contemplating retirement for a number of years but wanted to ensure continuity by identifying the right successor.

“I haven’t aged overnight,” Fr Hilary said.

“I have long been feeling the burden of age and my biggest concern for the past 10 years was that I constantly asked myself if all the work we have

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“This is the whole point, to see more children educate themselves through sports, they love sports and they feel better, appreciating life after all.

Life is beautiful but sports helps you to lead a good life”

done would come to nothing. I had this great wish to identify someone who can take over from me and ensure that the mission of the Youth FA and the Ċentru Sport Edukattiv, with emphasis on education through sport, continues.

“God illuminated us as I approached Norman Darmanin Demajo to assume the role of president of the Youth FA so that he can continue to lead this organisation. The Malta FA have also created the Inħobb il-Futbol Foundation – in brackets we say that the phrase Inħobb il-Futbol originated from the Ċentru Sport Edukattiv and the Technical Centre at Ta’ Qali which followed the foundation of the Youth FA during that time. As a continuation of the Ċentru Sport Edukattiv, we established the technical centre Inħobb il-Futbol while the Youth FA had its own competitions.

“Norman’s involvement with the Youth FA was a big consolation, reassuring me that, when my life eventually comes to a quiet end, the work we initiated 40 years ago is not only ongoing, it is being intensified and generating increased enthusiasm and sustained progress. And this is the whole point, to see more children educate

themselves through sports, they love sports and they feel better, appreciating life after all. Life is beautiful but sports helps you to lead a good life.”

FOOTBALL FOR ALL Fr Hilary emphasised the importance of giving all children the opportunity to play football, regardless of their ability and resources, in sync with his slogan ‘Football, Live It With Love!’.

“I am happy to see that we are also paying attention to those children who may not have the same opportunities as others,” Fr Hilary said about the Youth FA’s Coaches On Wheels project which is set to be relaunched this season.

“This idea is excellent and I am very pleased that it has been successful as it reflects the original objective of the Youth FA. When we founded the Ċentru Sport Edukattiv, the word edukattiv (educational) was very significant, in addition to ċentru (centre) and sports, as our goal was to educate children through sports.

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“Because of the competitions, which are also important, attractive and necessary, many times we veered off track and began to devote more attention to the competitions at the expense of focusing on providing true education to children through sports.

“Children are born with talent but exerting too much pressure and wanting to lead them where you want to in order to nurture your ego, as a parent or as a coach… that ruins the creativity in our children”

“In view of this, I am delighted that this project has been successfully revived… seeing happy children playing football, both those who we think can be the next Messi or Ronaldo, as well as the others. No child can be left behind – the most important thing is that our children love football, that they love and practise sport.”

Fr Hilary was a visionary whose innovative ideas and resolve to push sports and the development of athletes further up the nation’s agenda in the late seventies and early eighties caused some consternation but 40 years on, everyone agrees that his efforts and persistence have left a profound impact on Maltese sport, especially football.

“I have faced a lot of opposition over the past 40 years because not everyone understood why we created the Ċentru Sport Edukattiv for example,” he said.

“I thank God that I found a shoulder to lean on in President Emeritus Dr George Abela, both when I joined the MFA Technical Centre and when we founded the Youth FA. There were others like Joe Cassar and Joe Micallef who helped me to implement the ideas.

“For me, the highlights are seeing children, or a child who, when they first came to the centre, they could barely control the ball with their feet and after a few years, I see them in the national football team set-up. This is a source of great satisfaction, for the player personally at having pursued a successful football career but also for us to see our work bearing fruit.”

‘DON’T HINDER THE CHILD’S CREATIVITY’ Success is important but Fr Hilary warned against the perils of putting too much pressure on our children, insisting that this can hinder their creativity.

“Sometimes, we complain that there is no talent (in Malta) or that the talent has dried up… we ask why we don’t have a Messi or a Ronaldo in our football,” Fr Hilary said. “The talent is there!

At times, I stress that it may have been excessive coaching or the pressure of the parents that stifled the creativity in our children in football.

“Children are born with talent but exerting too much pressure and wanting to lead them where you want to in order to nurture your ego, as a parent or as a coach… that ruins the creativity in our children.

“We must give our kids the freedom so that, in their happiness at practising football, they can develop their creativity. That is where they become football players when they are free of that excessive pressure to obtain immediate results and success… success comes automatically if you work hard for it.”

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PHOTOS: STEPHEN GATT

ALL SET FOR FIRST U-7 FESTIVAL FOR SEASON 2023-24

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et ready for the first Under-7 Festival for this season! The inaugural festival for 2023-24 will take place on Saturday, 16th December, 2023 at the Birżebbuġa Ground with a total of 16 teams set to take part.

The first matches from Group 1 will kick off at 09.00hrs. The nurseries that have applied to participate in this festival, which falls under the Youth FA’s Enjoying The Game Pillar, are:

16TH DECEMBER @ BIRŻEBBUĠA GROUND

GROUP 1 Balzan • Luqa St Andrews • Mosta • Qormi

GROUP 2 Ħamrun Spartans • Melita • Naxxar Lions • Żabbar St Patrick

GROUP 3 Fgura United • St Andrews • Swieqi United • San Ġwann

GROUP 4 Hibernians • Mġarr United • Pembroke Athleta • Żebbuġ Rangers

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Stephanie Rocco, General Secretary of the Youth FA, said: “These festivals are all about fun, we want to see the children do what they love doing most in a fun and safe environment. These events provide an opportunity for these kids to enjoy themselves without pressure to obtain results, while fostering collaboration between youth nurseries. We look forward to hosting more festivals for the younger age-groups, targeting as many young players as possible, while promoting the Football, Live It With Love! spirit.”

All festivals are held in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Grassroots Festival

Manual issued by the Technical Centre of the Malta Football Association, prioritising fun and giving all the players on the teamsheet the opportunity to play.

These principles are also captured in the Youth FA’s Football, Live It With Love! motto, the phrase coined by Honorary President Fr Hilary Tagliaferro to reflect the essence of the Beautiful Game.

The Youth FA provides logistical assistance to the host nurseries in terms of personnel, first-aid assistants, and equipment besides playing an active role in the planning of these events.

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Enjoying the Game Fun Festival Under 7 (Born 2017-2018) Season 2023-2024

FESTIVAL CHILDREN’S

RIGHTS The right to have FUN AND PLAY; The right to practise a sport; The right to be part of a healthy environment; The right to be surrounded and trained by competent and professional people; The right to follow training sessions according to their level and rhythm; The right to measure themselves with children who have the same possibility of success; The right to participate in competitions suitable for their age; The right to practise sport in absolute safety; The right to have the correct rest time; THE RIGHT TO NOT BE A CHAMPION!

RULES It is a FUN Festival - No Points No Trophies; Format 3 v 3 (no goalkeepers); Nurseries participating with two (2) team are allowed up to 8 players; Nurseries participating with three (3) team are allowed up to 12 players; Irrespective of the number of teams participating, all players are to feature on one line-up. Two (2) copies of line-up must be presented on matchday to the YFA; All players included in the line-up list submitted to YFA must play; Ball Size No. 3; Playing Time: 3 x 10' straight with 5' rest; No offside; Kick-in + dribble-in option;

LAW

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PLAYING TIME

All children included in the friendly match and festival list must play. All players must have the opportunity to grow through participation in the match, ideally playing the same number of minutes. It is clearly the responsibility of the Nurseries to manage the minutes and team changes in the most responsible way for its players.

No corner and restarts from goal line; Free-kick indirect must be played with short pass; Kicking / playing from the back; Each nursery to bring one (1) set of bibs in case of colour clash/change; All regulations applicable as per Grassroots Festivals Manual issued by the Malta FA Technical Centre and as per Malta FA Coaching Regulations.

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NURSERY

FOCUS

NAXXAR LIONS FOOTBALL NURSERY

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n the heart of Naxxar, a remarkable story of aspiring football and futsal talents is unfolding. Naxxar Lions Football Nursery, open to both boys and girls, is more than just a football club. Here, passionate young players, guided by dedicated coaches and embraced by a tight-knit community, are not just learning the beautiful game; they’re gaining invaluable life skills and growing together as a true family.

Our commitment to the community doesn’t end there. Naxxar Lions Football Nursery is wholeheartedly dedicated to supporting charitable causes, leaving a lasting impact. Our collaboration with the Community Chest Fund is testament to our commitment to making a positive difference.

We’ve also joined hands with the senior team to help a child in need of heart surgery.

“Innovation is the name of the game in our training philosophy. We don’t just focus on the sport; we strive to develop well-rounded individuals” Our coaching staff isn’t just about honing skills; they’re shaping lives. They serve as mentors and, at times, even as father figures to our young athletes.

Our coaching team comprises a strong lineup of licensed professionals, all committed to upgrading their skills to provide the best guidance possible. An inspiring success story from within our nursery is Paul Fenech, who began his journey here and went on to become a prominent Malta player and even held the prestigious position of national team captain.

Innovation is the name of the game in our training philosophy. We don’t just focus on the sport; we strive to develop well-rounded individuals. Our modern training techniques, including Veo statistics, are complemented by a strong emphasis on mental preparation and healthy lifestyle choices.

Collaboration is a key component of our journey. We work closely with the Naxxar Primary School, inspiring the next generation with training activities and visits by senior team players.

We’re a community-driven nursery, and it starts with our Parents Committee who work tirelessly to ensure the best possible experience for our young talents.

Our commitment to nurturing talent goes even further. We’re currently planning to invest in our footballers’ future by purchasing GPS trackers to monitor their performance during training.

The future holds exciting promises. With our very own new ground, we’re gearing up to take our commitment to the next level. It will enable us to provide professional training and education, and create an even more positive environment for our young athletes.

At Naxxar Lions Football Nursery, we’re not just shaping football and futsal stars; we’re contributing to the formation of determined individuals with deep community connections.

These remarkable stories and memorable moments illustrate how we’re empowering the stars of tomorrow in the most holistic way.

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NURSERY

FOCUS

PEMBROKE ATHLETA FOOTBALL NURSERY

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embroke Athleta Football Nursery was founded in 1997. Our dedicated team of 30 certified and experienced coaches focus on fostering a love for the game while instilling important values such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

With our ‘A’ licence criteria, we ensure that our coaching methods are up-to-date and in line with the highest standards of football education.

Each child is placed in a specific age group, allowing us to tailor our training sessions to their individual needs and abilities, following one of the most known sport models, the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD). We have around 200 children, both boys and girls, from the age of four upward.

Our programme is designed to cater for children of all skill levels, from beginners to more advanced players. We believe in creating

“We provide a safe and healthy sporting environment for all children to grow in character, physical abilities, technical abilities, and talent”

a positive and inclusive environment where every child feels supported and encouraged to reach their full potential. Additionally, we offer various opportunities for friendly matches and tournaments, allowing our players to showcase their skills and build connections with other teams. We provide a safe and healthy sporting environment for all children to grow in character, physical abilities, technical abilities, and talent.

With top facilities and resources spread over 1000m2, we are situated in the heart of Pembroke.

Our location offers a range of recreational activities for families to enjoy at all times. Nearby amenities include two sizeable parking lots, Pembroke Gardens, Malta’s largest Padel court, a snack bar and cafeteria, a restaurant, and three five-star hotels.

Additionally, our facility is conveniently located near several shopping centres and entertainment venues, providing families with plenty of options for leisure and relaxation. Furthermore, our proximity to the sea allows for various water sports activities such as sailing and kayaking, making it an ideal destination for both athletes and their families to indulge in outdoor adventures. www.facebook.com/PembrokeAthletaFN

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NURSERY

FOCUS

PIETÀ HOTSPURS FOOTBALL ACADEMY

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n 1988, a dream was born – the Pietà Hotspurs Football Nursery. This marked the inception of an organisation with a modest yet important goal: to cultivate local talent and ignite a passion for the beautiful game of football. Our nursery started with a handful of local kids who aspired to become the football stars of tomorrow.

Under the guidance of dedicated coaches and administrators, Pietà Hotspurs began to evolve.

Year after year, we added new and top-level coaches to our staff. These coaches brought with them a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a boundless passion for the game, which they passed on to the young talents they mentored.

Gradually, our reputation began to grow, nurturing local talent and attracting young boys from all over Malta.

With each passing season, the nursery’s facilities improved, culminating in a move to larger and more advanced premises that provided the ideal environment for our up-and-coming players.

The year 2018 marked a significant milestone in our history. Pietà Hotspurs Football Nursery transitioned into the Pietà Hotspurs Football Academy. This transformation was testament to its continuous growth, development, and commitment to excellence. It signalled a new chapter in our journey, underlining the dedication to take our young talents to the next level.

Today, the Pietà Hotspurs Football Academy is a vibrant hub of footballing dreams, with approximately 250 young boys proudly registered in our ranks. The academy boasts a nice collection of trophies and honours from local competitions

“The senior squad consistently bears witness to this belief, with a remarkable percentage of young boys making their way from the academy to the senior team” but success isn’t solely measured by the number of trophies we have on our shelves; it’s rooted in our philosophy. We believe in our kids, helping them to evolve into top players as they mature. The senior squad consistently bears witness to this belief, with a remarkable percentage of young boys making their way from the academy to the senior team.

The success of the Pietà Hotspurs Football Academy extends beyond the borders of Malta.

Some of our brightest stars have ventured abroad, signing contracts with European football clubs. These boys are living proof that dreams nurtured in the small town of Pietà can lead to global adventures in the world of football.

Today, the Pietà Hotspurs Football Academy is more than a local institution; it’s a symbol of hope and ambition for young talents throughout Malta. And as long as there are dreams, Pietà Hotspurs will be there, guiding and helping the stars of tomorrow.

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NURSERY

FOCUS

GOZO YOUTH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Under-17

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s the organisation responsible for youth football on the sister island, the Gozo Youth Football Association (GYFA) comprises 12 nurseries. The GYFA organises an under-16 championship with the participation of five teams – Kerċem Ajax, Għajnsielem, Nadur Youngsters, Xewkija Tigers and Oratory Youths.

Season 2023-24 started with the Knock-Out competition, won by Xewkija Tigers who beat Kerċem Ajax on penalties.

In addition, the Association hosts festivals for Under-14 and Under-13 teams, events that generate significant interest among the nurseries.

“As the organisation responsible for youth football on the sister island, the Gozo Youth Football Association comprises 12 nurseries” The GYFA also co-ordinates the Gozo FC youth teams that take part in the BNF National Youth Under-17 and Under-15 leagues. We have also introduced the Under-14 team, currently taking part in the BNF Development League and enabling young players to strengthen their development by gaining experience in a highlevel championship. Around 70 youths currently form part of the Gozo FC youth selections.

Under-15

Under-14

Gozo FC currently compete in Section C of the BNF Under-17 League after winning Section C last season, the Under-15s are in Section A and the Under-14s in Section B. The young members of the Gozo FC youth teams are also given the opportunity to experience international tournaments as part of their youth development. Last season, the Under-15 team and an Under-14 selection took part in the Jesolo Cup in Venezia. Gozo Orange placed 15th while the Gozo Blue Team lost the final 2-1.

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Spreading a positive message, promoting wellbeing !

Collaboration between the Youth FA and the Foundation for Social Welfare Services ur collaboration with the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) for season 2023-24 kicked off at the start of the month with a very interesting and enjoyable session with the Tarxien Rainbows Football Academy.

A 30-minute match between the club’s Under-17 players and the residents of Komunità Santa Marija was followed by an inspirational testimonial from a prominent figure within the football scene. His words were a source of encouragement for young players to focus

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on their football careers while staying clear of addictions and unhealthy habits.

Residents from Komunità Santa Marija also took the stage to share their personal journeys and offer further encouragement to the players, motivating them to lead an active lifestyle away from behavioural addictions.

The ongoing collaboration between the Youth FA and the FSWS complements the Association’s social mission to raise awareness about serious problems and behavioural addictions which may have a very negative effect on our children and youths.

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“The sessions are aimed at helping all persons involved to enhance their life skills and promote a healthy lifestyle, in the process raising further awareness about drugs, alcohol, gambling, the problematic use of technology and other behavioural addictions”

Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding last summer, the Youth FA and FSWS are undertaking a series of initiatives and educational sessions focusing on prevention. The sessions are aimed at helping all persons involved to enhance their life skills and promote a healthy lifestyle, in the process raising further awareness about drugs, alcohol, gambling, the problematic use of technology and other behavioural addictions.

Norman Darmanin Demajo, the Youth FA President who is also a Board Member of the

UEFA Foundation for Children, said: “Our collaboration with the Foundation for Social Welfare Services reflects the Youth FA’s commitment to uphold the legacy of Fr Hilary (Tagliaferro) and continue being of service to Maltese football and the wider community.

“We are here to offer support and assistance, and football is an excellent channel to provide help to those in need, potentially reaching out to persons and communities who may otherwise be difficult to access.”

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Football

opportunities for girls... M LEARN FOOTBALL THROUGH PLAY AND THE MAGIC OF DISNEY STORYTELLING

alta is one of the countries hosting the UEFA and Disney’s Playmakers programme, created to help more girls learn how to play football through storytelling.

UEFA Playmakers is a sports activity like no other as it delivers a fun and safe introduction to learning football, for 5 to 8-year-old girls, through movement, play and the magic of Disney storytelling.

The Playmakers programme aims to encourage and motivate young girls to play sport through initiation sessions based around the stories of a Disney cartoon (Incredibles 2, Frozen 2, Moana and Encanto) and rely on role-playing games with the main characters.

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After Schools Project Playmakers brings together the latest research on the benefits of play-based learning and the magical power of Disney storytelling to deliver friendship, health and confidence, life skills and love towards football.

After two successful seasons (2021 to 2023) in which the UEFA Playmakers sessions were held at 30 different centres (clubs, schools and girl guides) and a total participation of around 2,000 girls, the Malta Football Association together with Inħobb il-Futbol Foundation and other partners are extending this fantastic project.

This can be a great start for clubs to encourage five- to eight-year-old girls to enroll in this project and, going forward, more young girls may show an interest in playing football at nursery level.

The programme consists of two blocks of eight sessions – the duration of every session is 45 minutes. The co-ordinator of this session must attend a one-day course to learn how the session must be delivered. The course is scheduled to take place on 9th December, 2023.

LINK TO APPLICATION FORM https://forms.office.com/e/WSghMZAfA1

The Women’s Department within the Malta Football Association also co-ordinates the After Schools Project which was launched a few years back with the objective of encouraging eight- to 10-year-old girls to play football.

During the current scholastic year (2023-2024), the project is being offered in 11 primary schools and two middle schools in Malta, and four primary schools in Gozo.

Weekly football sessions are held throughout the scholastic year with the school providing the premises and the Women’s Football Department providing the coaches, football equipment, first-aid kit and any other requirements for the session to take place.

Thanks to this project, a good number of girls are playing with different nurseries across Malta and Gozo.

The Youth Football Association fully supports projects that promote sport and an active lifestyle among children, projects that live up to our motto – ‘Football, Live It With Love!’.

FOOTBALL LIVE IT WITH LOVE!!

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The Youth Football Association c/o The Centenary Stadium, Ta’ Qali, ATD 4000, Malta 00356 21237080 info@theyouthfa.org.mt

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