Youth FA launches 'Play Fair' award

During the annual activity organized by the Youth FA to distribute to the UEFA Champions League Solidarity Funds to all member nurseries, YFA President Fr. Hilary urged all those involved in grassroots football to do their utmost in the fight against corruption, by educating and instilling values and principles in the players of tomorrow, which in the end are the future of the game football.

Fr. Hilary urged the nurseries not to measure success by the amount of trophies won, but by educating the children entrusted to them and by fostering their love for the beautiful game. The Youth FA President finally praised and thanked the MFA and the APS Bank for their relentless support and the continuous initiatives taken to raise the level of the game, whilst instilling a more professional outlook and moral ethics.

Mr. Patrick Aquilina, Marketing Manager of APS Bank, announced a new sponsorship agreement for three seasons with the Youth FA and said that this is the longest running sponsor APS Bank ever had, and this because they really believe in the values, principles and respect children can learn whilst playing football.

Mr. Aquilina revealed that as from this season, with the collaboration of the Youth FA, APS Bank will launch the Play Fair Badge, awarded to the teams with the best record of fair play in the APS Under-15 and Under-17 leagues. In addition to the badge, which will be worn on the shirt of the winning team for a whole season, they will also have a bank account opened on their behalf, including a sum of money donated by APS Bank, the Youth FA and the MFA.

MFA President Norman Darmanin Demajo recalled that last year, during this same activity, he had listed his priorities, namely that each club has adequate place where train, that all YFA matches should be played on good pitches and to continue to raise the education level of our coaches at all levels.

The MFA President said that he is very satisfied with the work done, but the MFA will continue to invest, both in infrastructure and education, because they really believe that only by doing so we can raise the level of the game. He also urged the nurseries to continue working hard so that more children are involved in the beautiful game.

Norman Darmanin Demajo reminded those present of the recent loss of Julio Camilleri and urged those present to follow in his footsteps, his great love for football, especially at grassroots level. He closed by thanking all who contribute in one way or another to the local football community and reiterated that everybody should do everything possible in the fight against corruption in local football.

Besides the Youth FA Council officials and members, also present for this activity were MFA CEO Bjorn Vassallo, MFA Vice-President Ludovigo Micallef, MFA Technical Director Robert Gatt, MFA Academy Coach Sergio Soldano as well as representatives from the Malta Council for Sports, the Ministry of Finance, the Economy and Investment (National Lotteries Good Causes Fund) and Farsons (Gatorade).

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