AGM brings Youth FA season to an end

June 23rd brought to an end the 2010-2011 season for the Youth Football Association with the Annual General Meeting which was held at the Centenary Hall, Ta’ Qali.

In his introduction, Youth FA president Fr. Hilary Tagliaferro praised the Malta FA President and CEO for their relentless work hand in hand with the Youth FA.

“We can witness this first hand, as today we are hosting this AGM in our home, next door to our new premises, inaugurated this March, here at Ta’ Qali.”

He stressed on the responsibility that the football nursery administrators and coaches have to educate the children they have in their cares, not only football wise, but more importantly by passing on good values and first and foremost to lead by good example.

Fr. Hilary thanked the Technical Centre for their support, espcially in the preparation for the Under 13 competition which will be organized for the first time this year. This new U/13 competition will serve as a bridge for the players between the festivals and the U/15 and U/17 leagues. Fr. Hilary showed his appreciation to the referees, who agreed to use this U13 competition to teach, educate and explain better the rules of the game to the young players and praised the solidarity shown by some nurseries as they will be offering their football grounds free of charge to keep the expenses at a minimum.

The YFA President concluded that this new competition is not about winning a trophy, as there will be none, but as a contribution to assist these young players to improve technically, socially and in sportsmanship and improve the level of our game.

The Youth FA General Secretary, Joe Micallef gave a detailed report on the past season where almost 800 matches were played between the U15 and U17 leagues, and announced the winner of the Most Promising Youngster – Under-15 Jurgen Degabriele (Paola Hibs) and Under-17 Terrance Agius (Pieta), while the Good Conduct Awards went to Luqa (Under-17) and Sirens (Under-15).

Mr. Micallef noted that as from next season there will be an increase in the referees’ fees, which the Youth FA will shoulder, however the nurseries would need to make good for the increase in the medical fees. The General Secretary also highlighted the success of the Youth FA website, www.theyouthfa.org.mt, which has attracted almost 83,000 hits since its launch last November. He concluded that the Youth FA will strive to publish the full set of fixtures at the beginning of the season, but this can only be acheived if all the parties cooperate.

The five Council members representing the nurseries as elected during the AGM resulted as follows:- Godwin Aquilina (Sta.Venera), Mark Bondin (Mqabba), Mario De Battista (Luxol St.Andrews), Henry Bray (Birkirkara) and Charles Cassar (Rabat Ajax). The minutes from last season’s AGM, as well as the Administrative and Financial reports were all approved, along with the five neutral members – Joe Pace, Francis Zammit, Emmanuel Agius, Charles Bugeja and Charles Farrugia.

Fr. Hilary Tagliaferro concluded the AGM by thanking all the affiliated nurseries, the Malta FA and the sponsors, especially the main sponsops APS, and his fellow council members for their support. In the coming days, the YFA council will have the first meeting for the 2011-2012 season, to propose and approve a member for the MFA Executive, two Council members, delegates for the MFA Amateur, Youth & Grassroots Committee and the members for the various Boards and sub-committees of the Association for a term of season 2011-2012, amongst other things.