Maltese participants attend Talent & Mentor seminar in Coverciano

A Talent & Mentor formation seminar under the auspices of the UEFA Convention, was organized by the Associazione Italiana Arbitri (AIA – the Italian Referees Association) Technical Sector in Coverciano’s ‘Casa Italia’ last week.

The Malta FA, through the Refereeing Centre, was invited and represented by Stephen Mallia (Head of Unit COREMALTA and responsible for the Talents & Mentors programme in Malta) and Darryl Agius (referee who is forming part of the Talents & Mentors programme in Malta) along with 107 talents and their 27 mentors from 19 regions of Italy.

This was a very intensive and highly formative seminar impeccably directed by Alfredo Trentalange – Officer in charge of AIA Technical sector – with other members of the technical staff and with the important participation of UEFA & FIFA instructor Francesco Bianchi from Switzerland. The meeting was also addressed by AIA President Marcello Nicchi, National Committee member Maurizio Gialluisi, and enriched by the testimonies and experiences of top Serie A referees Giancarlo Calvarese, Marco Di Bello and Luca Pairetto. Stephen Mallia was also invited to make his address to the participants.

In this seminar various points of reflection were offered with regards to technical level; ethics of what is the role of the referee inside the football community, the society in general and the Association; and the difference from refereeing matches to actually following the steps needed to become a referee.

The sessions were intervalled with an athletic one in the gym, and another in one of Coverciano training grounds where the participants experienced in first person the ‘FIFA 11+ protocol’ for the prevention of injuries.

At the end of two days of intensive and very informative seminar, all participants were enriched with a high level experience which will guide them and boost them in their career.