Following four years of complete success, the Malta Futsal School is pleased to announce that as of the coming year, former national team player Maria Coppola will be forming part of the school’s coaching staff.
Maria will be helping the Malta Futsal School in promoting Futsal amongst girls. Due to increasing demand, the Malta Futsal School will also be adding an extra session every Wednesday starting from the 7th of January in addition to the current Friday sessions.
Maria Coppola, 39, has been involved in football for over 25 years. At an early age, it was hard for Maria to pursue her dream of playing football as there were no nurseries or academies that could help her fulfil her wishes. Whilst at trade school, Maria used to find time to play during her lunch breaks with the boys who, at first, found it hard to accept her playing with them. At the age of fifteen, Maria started playing regularly in 5-a-side matches with the Lija women’s team and at 16, she joined Hamrun. She re-joined Lija in season 1994/5 when the Women’s Football League was formed by the Malta Football Association. Lija became champions in that inaugural season.
Whilst playing for Lija, Maria caught the eye of an American coach and Maria ended up playing her football in the United States with a team from Oklahoma City. In 2000, she returned to Malta, joining Melita F.C. and was one of the first chosen players when the Women National Team was formed in 2003. Whilst playing for the National Team, Maria was spotted by a team in France where she spent 3 years. Unfortunately she had to stop playing football in 2005 when, whilst playing in France, she was admitted to a hospital in Paris where she was diagnosed with meningitis. Maria ended her career in 2012, when after five years off the field of play, she played for Mgarr United F.C. She is now focusing on coaching and works also as a T.V. sports media presenter.
Maria Coppola’s aim to help promote Futsal with girls has also caught the eye of the Futsal Malta Association. In fact she has been approached to help the association in creating a league of Women Futsal in Malta. Maria will be launching a 5-a-side event on Saturday 3rd January. Those girls who wish to participate in this event must contact Maria Coppola on mariacopp@live.com or call on 79937289.
Those who wish to join the Malta Futsal School can find applications on the School’s website www.maltafutsalschool.com or call on 99457101/79016016 or e-mail info@maltafutsalschool.com