Successful conclusion to UEFA Study Group in Malta

The first UEFA Study Group to be held in Malta has just come to end. The event focused on Grassroots Football, one of several areas which are under UEFA’s microscope. The aim of this initiative was to facilitate exchanges of knowledge and experiences between different member associations of UEFA and bring about more refined technical approaches in the various sectors of the game at this base structure.

Football at grassroots level was thoroughly delved into during the three-day event which comprised the participation of no fewer than 44 representatives from Italy, Lithuania and Luxembourg, including those from Malta. Related areas such as nurseries, coach education, futsal, beach soccer, referees’ academy and women’s football were also on the agenda.

After the MFA’s president Norman Darmanin Demajo’s introductory address, Fr Hilary Tagliaferro opened the activity by presenting a clip on the history of youth football and grassroots in Malta, after which the foreign representatives were introduced. Discussions and working groups followed and presentations were made by all the participants.

As part of the field work, the groups visited a local nursery and attended a grassroots festival at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun, which was organised by the MFA and the Sports Promotion Unit.

The visitors also attended a girls’ Futsal festival at the Cottonera Sports Complex and training sessions conducted for the Boys’ and the Girls’ Academies at the MFA training grounds.

Finally, the delegation rounded off their interesting sojourn in Malta by visiting Mdina by Night. The guests were impressed by the smooth organisation of the workings of the Study Group, the set-up and the surroundings at the MFA Technical Centre at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium Complex.

At the end director of the Centre, Robert Gatt, thanked all the participants for their commitment and contribution towards making this 1st UEFA Study Group in Malta a huge success.