MFA Refereeing Department launches third cycle of Talent & Mentor Programme

In its continuous efforts to prepare young match officials for the future of refereeing in Malta, the MFA Refereeing Department has launched the third cycle of its Talent & Mentor Programme.

Promising referees Darryl Agius, Shaun Calleja, Tyron Cardona, Kieran Parnis, Daniel Portelli and Theodore Zammit, and up and coming assistant referees Christopher Azzopardi, Ivan Galea, Dusan Petrovic and Andre Psaila are the 10 talented match officials selected to follow a two year specialised programme under the guidance of their mentors Philip Agius, Paul Caruana, Gaetano De Gabriele and Stephen Mallia.

The 2015-2017 Talent & Mentor Programme is being coordinated by Referees’ Development Officer Kevin Azzopardi, who has recently taken this new responsibility from Victor Mintoff.

In his speech to the new intake of talents, accompanied by their mentors, Director of Refereeing Adrian D. Casha congratulated the selected 6 referees and 4 assistant referees and encouraged them to “make the best out of this massive opportunity by developing yourselves into 10 top match officials. We are extending to you the necessary tools and support. Hopefully, in 5 years’ time, you will be officiating top level football.”

Meanwhile, young talents Ishmael Barbara, David Castillo, Elvio Degabriele, Emanuel Grech, Alex Johnson and Jurgen Spiteri received a Diploma in Refereeing for their successful participation in the 2013-2015 Talent & Mentor Programme.