IFF, BNF Bank host 2021-22 National Junior Leagues Awards Night

The Inħobb il-Futbol Foundation (IFF) partnered up with BNF Bank to celebrate the  contribution and achievements of the teams that took part in the 2021-22 BNF National Leagues in the  Under-17, Under-15 and Under-14 categories. 

The winning teams, promoted sides, top scorers and Fair Play award winners took centre-stage at the  Awards Night, held last Thursday at the Centenary Hall, with Pietà Hotspurs and Valletta topping the  bill as winners of Section A of the BNF National U-17 and U-15 Leagues respectively. 

Awards were also given to the winners and promoted teams in the other sections in both leagues,  namely: 

Under-17: Section B – Hibernians (winners), Naxxar Lions (promoted); Section C – Sirens (winners),  Mġarr United (promoted); Section D – Żejtun Corinthians (winners), Siġġiewi (promoted). 

Under-15: Section B – Żurrieq Wolves YN (winners), Gozo (promoted); Section C – Lija Athletic  (winners), Żebbuġ Rangers (promoted) Section D – Rabat Ajax (winners), Siġġiewi (promoted). 

In line with the Malta FA Technical Centre’s guidelines, no trophies were awarded in relation to the  BNF National Under-14 Development League but the participating nurseries received a certificate of  participation on Thursday. 

Għargħur and Tarxien Rainbows were announced as winners of the Fair Play Award in the U-15 and  U-17 leagues respectively. 

Photos: Copyright www.stephengatt.com

Thursday’s event also served as an ideal occasion to further promote the values of fair play, teamwork  and integrity with former Malta players Gareth Sciberras and Michael Galea, Chairperson and Deputy  Chairperson of the IFF respectively, encouraging the young players to uphold these values and enjoy  playing the game at all times. 

“My message to you is to always do your best, give your 100 per cent but do so by honouring the  values of sportsmanship, fair play and integrity which are at the heart of the IFF work,” Galea said. 

INĦOBB IL-FUTBOL 

Regarded as the pioneer of youth football in Malta, Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, the Honorary President of  the Youth FA, offered a fitting introduction to Thursday’s event, delivering an insightful speech about  the development of youth football in Malta, from the Inħobb il-Futbol scheme days in the early eighties  up until today.

“The phrase ‘Inħobb il-Futbol has a story,” Fr Hilary said. “When, after 10 years, I finished coaching  Hibernians, I still had this passion for football running in my blood… I just couldn’t stay idle. I came  up with the idea of establishing a national sports centre in a central location where we could train the  best football players and best athletes in other sport. 

“I approached the then Minister of Sports and President of the Republic, putting forward my idea to  create a national school of sport at what was then still known as ‘il-Marsa tal-Ingliżi’. The idea was  well received but I was told that we could only use the venue twice a week. We had around 400 athletes  at the time.” 

Fr Hilary recounted how the introduction of the Inħobb il-Futbol programme, the foundation of the  Youth FA and the opening of the first youth nurseries in the early eighties were key moments in the  history of youth football in Malta. 

“In 1982, we moved to the first turf football pitches in Ta’ Qali, I was appointed Technical Director  of the Malta Football Association and we also founded the Youth FA,” Fr Hilary said. “It was during  this period that we created the Inħobb il-Futbol Scheme and the first youth nurseries were formed, based  on the Inħobb il-Futbol model. We started with around 10 youth nurseries but now almost every town  and village has a youth football nursery.” 

BNF BANK SUPPORT 

George Debono, Chief Commercial Officer of BNF Bank, praised the dedication and passion of all  the stakeholders in youth football, adding: “With the sterling work being done by everyone, I am  confident that we will succeed in our mission to nurture the love for football among our youths. BNF  Bank is willing to keep supporting this movement.”  

In his address, Ivan Woods, the IFF Grassroots Manager, said the Awards Night is the culmination of  a season of footballing emotions, with all the highs and lows, in the BNF National Junior Leagues which  saw the participation of over 2,000 players.