The Youth Football Association 2012-2013 season kicked-off with the 11th Gatorade Annual Seminar this Saturday. Following the pattern of the previous years, the seminar was divided in two parts, one for the nursery administrators, held at The Palace Hotel in Sliema and the technical part at the Luxol St. Andrew’s football grounds.

In his introductory speech Fr. Hilary Tagliaferro, referred to the massive improvement made by the vast majority of the member nurseries in these last years and urged them to keep up the job by being more organised and disciplined. He also recalled what the Youth FA had been urging ever since its inception, that educating the children is as important, if not more, than the football training we provide. As from this season, the Youth FA is also extending its Football Social Responsibility towards the illegal immigrants.

The Youth FA President, children of irregular immigrants will be allowed to play in its competitions as from this season, thanks to the collaboration of the Malta FA, thru to a special registration designed specifically for these distinctive cases. Fr. Hilary also referred to the Medical Protocol being introduced as from this season in order to safeguard the health of our young players, as well as the continuation of the educational courses offered in collaboration with the KMS.

Fr. Hilary ended his speech by reminding those present that every season the Youth FA comes up with innovative ideas adhering to its principles -‘Because we care’ and that at the end of the day, it’s not just the victory on the field of play that make the season successful, but also and more importantly the social corporate responsibility.

The technical session was opened by Mr. Ludovico Micallef, Vice-President of the Malta FA, followed by a presentation on the Technical Centre by Robert Gatt, Technical Director, while Sergio Soldano led a practical session detailing ‘la tecnica al servizio della tatica’.

Back at the Seminar Malta FA’s President, hailed the administrators as the everyday heroes in footballand urged the nurseries to live within their means and to work hand in hand with their parent club.

Mr. Norman Darmanin Demajo reminded the administrators of the three priorities that need to be addressed this season– first and foremost to fight with their entire strength match fixing as this was ruining football, thru education and by instilling passion for the beautiful game. MFA’s President also promised to continue working to enhance the coaching education at all levels and urged the nursery administrators to be open and consider looking at other options and new rules with regards to transfer fees involving young players.

Ms. Pamela Muscat held a presentation on how to deal with children suffering from ADHD and how this can be an asset to the team, while Psychologist Greg Sammut led an interactive session with the administrators about how to manage with pressure and stress in their nurseries. Next in line was Dr. Chris Bonett, the head of the association’s legal department,who detailed the importance of the legal aspects in football nurseries.

Mr. Joe Micallef and Mr. Robert Attard, Youth FA’s General Secretary and Vice-President closed this very interesting event by reminding that the Youth FA’s U/15 and U/17 leagues are starting on Saturday 1st September.

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