Former Malta national coach and former Under-21 national coach Raymond Farrugia was among those who were honoured with the Midalja Għall-Qadi Tar-Repubblika during the annual Republic Day ceremony which was held at the President’s Palace in Valletta.

Ray Farrugia was born in 1955 in Floriana. He started out his career in his hometown team of Floriana, where he played between 1974 and 1978, winning 11 trophies. He also played for the Malta National Team at youth and national level.

In 1978, Farrugia was transferred to play for Melita Eagles Football Club in Sydney, Australia, winning 9 trophies as well as that of Best Player of New South Whales (NSW) and twice Best Player of his club. He also represented the state of NSW. Subsequently, he was awarded Best Maltese Achiever in Australia by then Australian Prime Minister, Mr Bob Hawke.

He returned to Malta in 1990 where he played and coached the Naxxar Lions Team until 1998, winning club Player of The Year twice. From 1998 to 2002 he coached the Under 21 National Team, bringing some positive results. In 2001, Farrugia was voted Best Sports Maltese Official
by the Maltese Sports Writers Association. Between 2002 and 2010 he coached several Premier League Clubs. In 2011, he then returned to coach Under 21 National Team, again achieving good results.

Farrugia was promoted to Assistant Coach of Malta senior side in 2014 and in 2018, he was appointed Head Coach of the Malta senior National Team where he served for 2 years.