Under-11 Gatorade Fun Football Festival launched

The Youth Football Association launched the 2011/12 edition of the Gatorade Under-11 Fun Football Festival during a meeting which was held at the Centenary Hall for the representatives of the forty-five nurseries who will be taking part.

The Chairman of the Youth FA Fun Football Events Board, Alfred Cacciatolo said that as from this season, the festivals will be held on the regulations published by the MFA Technical Centre.

Board secretary Mario De Battista explained the regulations and revealed that as from this year, medical assistance will be available for Under-11 games.

Youth FA General Secretary Joe Micallef emphasised on the purpose of this festival – fun games but still nurseries were expected to take these festivals seriously. The association will be monitoring this festival and at the end of the season, a score-board will be published.

Fr. Hilary Tagliaferro said this festival was his favourite ‘competition’ as this was allowing children to play freely and enjoy themselves without any pressure. Fr Hilary encouraged coaches at grassroots level to look ahead, cherish sound principles and discipline while creating a healthy environment where children would enjoy themselves playing football. The YFA president concluded by thanking Farsons for sponsoring this event through Gatorade.

Also present for the launching was MFA Technical Director Robert Gatt, Farsons Brand Manager Lara Filletti, Youth FA vice-president Robert Attard and MFA Deputy General Secretary Grassroots, Youth Development & Education Maria Mifsud.

The Gatorade Under 11 Fun Football Festival kicks-off on December 18 and will come to an end on May 20, 2012 and will be played at the Kalkara, Sliema, Mgarr, Pembroke and Ghaxaq grounds.

Fixtures will be available at www.theyouthfa.org.mt

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