Italian coach Riccardo Tumiatti has been appointed Technical Director of the Balzan FC Nursery. This was announced by Balzan FC Honorary President Anton Tagliaferro and Balzan FC President George Borg during a press conference at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard on Monday.

Tumiatti, who signed a three-year deal with Balzan, started his playing career at Milan in youth teams up to the Primavera and the senior team. He later played for Treviso and Lecco. He started his coaching career at Corbetta, coaching youth teams at the AC Milan youth sector between 1991/92 and 1997/98 and more recently as teacher in schools for football coaching in Italy and abroad and coach of the Under-14 team. Tumiatti was later part of the coaching staff of Tokai Daigo High School in Japan, Solbiatese, Chievo Verona, Varese, Vegalta Sendai in Japan, Pro Sesto, FC Vittoria and AS Gubbio. At Pro Sesto and Gubbio, he was Director of the Academy.

Apart from being in charge of the Balzan FC Nursery, Riccardo Tumiatti will be working hand in hand with Balzan FC senior coach Ivan Zammit.

Tagliaferro explained that Tumiatti’s experience will enable the Balzan Nursery to continue establishing itself as the club seeks to have more players from the nursery establishing themselves with the senior team.

Anton Tagliaferro said he was brought up in Balzan, emigrating to Australia at an early age. Although he established himself there, eh never forgot his roots and took the initiative of helping the club in various ways.

Balzan entered a partnership with Italian Lega Pro Prima Divisione side AC Prato. Thanks to this agreement, promising youngsters from the Balzan nursery will be going to Prato for training camps and vice-versa. AC Prato president Paolo Toccafondi was also present for the press conference.

All this would not have been possible without the help of our Hon President and main sponsor Mr Anton Tagliaferro.

Meanwhile during the same press conference, Balzan FC presented their three new signings, namely Spanish goalkeeper Daniel Miguelez Martinez, former Mosta midfielder Firas Aboulezz and former Floriana striker Ryan Darmanin.