It was a busy ending to 2012 for Hamrun Spartans FC Youth Nursery, as a number of activities were organised during the month of December. Indeed a happy ending to a fantastic year which coincided with its 25th anniversary.
The Firetech Football Festival was held at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on 8th, 9th and 13th December with the participation of 22 teams and around 300 boys and girls from 10 different nurseries. Participation was open for four age categories – boys born in 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2002.
In line with Youth FA policy, no winners were declared and game results not published but each participant was given a memento. The Nursery would like to thank Firetech Limited for sponsoring this festival for the ninth consecutive time. Firetech specialises in fire, safety and security and operates from its premises in Mill Street, Qormi.
A number of Hamrun Nursery teams also participated in football festivals organised by the youth nurseries of Floriana, Birkirkara and St Andrews. This ensures that all registered young players gain the necessary experience by playing at different venues. The Hamrun Nursery also participated in a number of activities in aid of L-Istrina during the month of December thereby also contributing to this noble cause.
The Christmas party for kids under the age of 11 was organised in the hall below the Victor Tedesco Stadium stands whilst the Annual Christmas Dinner was organised at the Maritim Hotel Antonine and Spa Mellieha. Both activities were a success.
The 25th Anniversary celebrations were kicked off on 16 December with mass celebrated by Fr Anton Portelli at the the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Blata l-Bajda). This was followed by fun games at the Victor Tedesco Stadium for a number of categories. The Under 15 squad also visited id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi.
A reception was held at the nursery premises on 28 December to conclude anniversary celebrations. The Nursery was honoured with the presence of Minister Dr Mario De Marco, MP Dr Jean Pierre Farrugia, Dr David Farrugia Sacco, the Hamrun Mayor Mr Vince Bonello and a number of other distinguished guests. Dr De Marco, Dr Farrugia and Dr Farrugia Sacco all offered their ideas and assistance to the realization of the nursery’s next project – that of extending the nursery premises.
Indeed, this was a remarkable year for the Hamrun Nursery even in terms of football results. Besides achieving the target of having all Hamrun teams in the top-most division, the Under 17 team won the Section A League in May. The cherries on the cake during December were achieved by the Hamrun Under 19 team, who have now ended 2012 as sole leaders of Section A (with a game in hand) after beating Valletta 1-0 and the Under 14 team who won the St Andrews Christmas Tournament after beating an Italian side from Catania 1-0 in the final.
The Hamrun Nursery committee is now looking to the future with greater determination to achieve its next targets. Any young players who are interested in joining the Hamrun Nursery may visit the nursery premises during the evenings or send an email on hamrunspartans@gmail.com to make an appointment or to obtain further details.