Hamrun Nursery targets European levels of excellence in youth football

Following last season’s successes culminating in the conquest of the Under 17 Section A league and Knockout double, the Hamrun Nursery is planning the new season ahead. Speaking in front of parents of players registered with the nursery, secretary Noel Debattista spoke of the ambitions for the future.

“Our next target is reaching European Levels of Excellence in Youth Football. Local nurseries should set set such a target so that the level of local football increases.”

The results obtained by the nursery are a reflection of the hard work of the nursery committee and coaches. Besides the results on the pitch, the number of players being called for Malta national team duty is also increasing. A priority for the nursery during this season will be to strengthen links with foreign football acadamies. To this effect, preliminary contacts have been made with a number of foreign teams to to set up a collaboration agreement with one of them and for them to participate in the now-renowned Tony Bajada Memorial.

Noel Debattista and head coach Marco Grech spoke at length about the Youth Development Programme which the nursery had drafted during the summer recess. All coaches will have to refer to this programme, which may be compared to a school syllabus, so that all players training at the nursery will be trained on all technical aspects throughout their stay with the nursery. This will also ensure continuity on training programmes from one season to the next.

As from this season, the nursery head coach – Marco Grech – will focus entirely on the implementation of this youth development programme whilst also assisting the different category coaches. Focus will be on the individual players as more attention will be given to their development and continuous assessment.

Marco Grech also explained the way forward in the several categories within the nursery. Streaming will be introduced in categories above a certain age, with the aim of improving the skills of all players including those of a lower level as they will have more space and chance to express themselves. The head coach also gave details about the new training schedule. Training will start on 19 September 2012 even though the Under 15s, Under 17s and Under 19s have already started pre-season training.

The nursery is also once again emphasising on the importance of having its players medically assessed and, as in previous years, a medical assessment form should be filled in by each player prior to registering with the nursery.

In conclusion, Debattista thanked the nursery sponsors – Cochlear, Baha, Gatorade, MET, Alfsons Enterprises and Eurosport – without whose help the nursery would not be able to implement its programmes.

For more information on the Hamrun Nursery, one can check the nursery Facebook page, nursery website www.hamrunnursery.com or send an email to hamrunspartans@gmail.com. Alternatively, one can visit the nursery premises during the evenings after 6.30pm.