Two well attended parents’ meetings were held at the Sliema Wanderers Nursery for the younger age groups. In the absence of Nursery Chairman, Dr Clifton Grima who was abroad, the gatherings were addressed by Management Committee member Andrew Azzopardi and the new Technical Director Stephen Azzopardi.
Mr. Andrew Azzopardi thanked all past coaches and administrators for all the work carried out last season and then went into detail explaining how the nursery is organised, also highlighting codes of conduct for parents, coaches and players. He set out the initiatives the Club and Nursery Committees will be taking to continue improving the general atmosphere of the premises.
Special mention was made of the new synthetic surface just installed at the Sliema Wanderers Complex, making it one of the best there is in Malta and Gozo.
He also announced the appointment of Mr. Stephen Azzopardi, UEFA-Pro Licence coach, and coach of the senior team, as the Club’s full-time Technical Director. Mr. Azzopardi’s experience will be a major asset to the nursery and will allow us to plan the future with the main intent of developing our children to become tomorrow’s men and women and also to fuel the senior squad with quality players.
Mr. Stephen Azzopardi addressed those present and said that he hoped his appointment and the technical plans being prepared will be of benefit not only to the Club but to all individual players attending the nursery. He is especially optimistic and motivated as he has a group of Coaches that are sharing his vision for the future of Sliema Wanderers. The support and cooperation of everybody is needed in some changes he is envisaging to continue improving the standard of the training sessions and individual development of all players. The Nursery will continue its social contribution by providing to all the opportunity to participate in football, enjoy the game and develop their talents.
However the Club will also be offering those more talented and keen to make a career of football the opportunity to have more specialised and challenging sessions. He also announced that girls’ training sessions will be introduced in the near future and plans are well advanced with coaches already appointed for the purpose. Mr. Azzopardi also mentioned the new state of the art synthetic turf pitch surface the Club invested which has an Eco friendly and much more safe with the filling composed of coconut shavings instead of the customary rubber filling. The Technical Director invited all to encourage other children to join this nursery which has exciting projects for those attending this season.
The parents and carers present had the opportunity to discuss various matters and meet the Coaches of the respective age groups.