Malta will be hosting two UEFA Youth Development Tournaments – one for boys and the other for girls – tournament reserved for the Under-16 categories.

UEFA had set up the development tournaments to offer young footballing talents an additional opportunity to play competitive international matches. Following a pilot phase in 2012, the tournament programme moved into full swing, with boys’ and girls’ events staged across Europe.

The Under-16 age category has been selected, as UEFA believes this to be a crucial stage in a player’s development pathway to the elite level.

The first tournament to be held in Malta will be reserved for women. The tournament will be held between Friday 5th and Tuesday 9th and taking part are Austria, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein. The tournament will be played at the Centenary Stadium and the Luxol Stadium.

Malta hosts Liechtenstein at the Centenary Stadium on Friday at 11:00, Azerbaijan on Sunday at the Centenary Stadium at 13:15 and Austria on Tuesday at the Luxol Stadium at 13:15.

The players selected by coach Dorianne Theuma and her assistant Charlene Zammit are:
goalkeepers Patricia Ebejer (Mgarr), Mandy Caruana (Tarxien);
defenders Kimberley Borg (Tarxien), Chloe Ann Ellul (Tarxien), Leanne Cefai (Gozo), Nicole Sciberras (Mosta), Rohanne Zahra (Hibernians);
midfielders Celeste Grech (Mosta), Kathryn Ellul (Kirkop), Maia Debono (Mgarr), Maria Farrugia (Gozo), Kayleigh Chetcuti (Hibernians), Amy Busuttil (Tarxien), Samantha Zarb (Birkirkara), Sarah Urpani (Birkirkara), Miriana Conti (Gozo);
forwards Keeva Camilleri (Gozo), Demi Magrin (Kirkop), Michela Felice (Birkirkara).

Meanwhile the tournament for boys will be held during the Easter holidays. Details are yet to be released.