The MFA is fully aware of the clubs’ needs to promote women’s football at the younger levels starting from the Under-16’s. This is backed by the Association’s heavy investment in women’s football for the past two years.

It has been noted that some clubs have responded positively to these initiatives and have worked even harder to have a better organised team and a substantial amount of upcoming young female footballers. However, other clubs are still finding difficulties in organising themselves.

Photo: Copyright © Paul Zammit Cutajar

Speaking at a press conference at the Centenary Hall last Saturday, Bjorn Vassallo, MFA’s CEO said that he admired the passion and enthusiasm of those involved women’s football, whether these were players, administrators etc. He said that in this regard the Malta Football Association is committed to maintain its support in favour of the further development of women’s football in the Maltese islands.

For the first time, the assocation managed to attract a sponsorship for the national women’s leagues and through which all local clubs will benefit, to the extent that the MFA is today in a position to cover all the expenses related to match officials and the venues where league matches are held. It is also our intention that with effect from the coming season all such expenses related to the Girls’ Under-16 competitions, will also be covered by MFA.

The MFA is investing in women’s football by promoting the female game in the girls’ primary schools sector, rebranding women’s football, introducing the BOV Player of the Month awards and by direct financial injection in the clubs when absorbing the Match Officials and pitch costs for all the teams, including the Under-16s.

MFA Technical Director Robert Gatt said the Technical Centre was giving its full support to women and girls football to see its continuous improvement and to keep in line with the growing development of women’s football throughout the world. Eighty women and girls attend weekly training at Ta Qali with the National Teams and the girls’ academy and for the first time, the Under 16 and Under 19 National Teams will take part in international tournaments.

He said that through the MFA and its Grassroots department, FIFA donated football shoes and a full kit to all the girls playing in the MFA Under 16 league.”

The MFA is relieving the clubs of costs related to pitch fees to help them focus on developing their grassroots sector. At the same time the association urges the clubs to assume responsibility in developing their grassroots with the utmost commitment and enthusiasm.

MFA Deputy General Secretary responsible for women’s football, Maria Mifsud said the Women’s football department is working incessantly for the good of the women’s game. She appealed to clubs to work hand in hand with the association as collaboration/Teamwork is key in reaching any goal with success.

The MFA aims at increasing the participation of girls at a young age and will organise an Under-11 Girls weekly festival, starting on the 3rd of February.

FIFA is in the front line of these initiatives for the younger sector of the female game and is supporting associations by providing football equipment such as balls, football boots, shin guards, goalkeeper gloves, bibs and other training apparel for the participants.

On its part the MFA’s women’s sector is a constant driving force in promoting school sessions for girls and nurseries and assisting in the organisation of the schools league and Futsal school festivals.
The association is confident that its pre-set objectives to put female football on a firmer footing will be reached with the co-operation of all.