The 2023 Enjoying The Game Under-9 Festival unfolded into another  enjoyable event for the participating children who cherished every minute of their experience at the Centenary Stadium last weekend. 

The end-of-season appointment created significant interest with the Under-9 teams of 28 youth nurseries taking part in the two-day festival which falls under the Youth Football  Association’s ‘Enjoying The Game’ pillar.  

Stephanie Rocco, the General Secretary of the Youth FA, said: “Firstly, on behalf of the  Youth FA, I wish to thank all the youth nurseries who accepted our invitation to take part in  the U-9 national festival which is one of the main events in the Youth FA calendar. 

“The nurseries are at the heart of the Youth FA’s mission as our Association primarily exists  to assist and support their efforts in providing the right opportunities and a sound  environment for the children to play and enjoy football, hence our motto – ‘Football, Live It  With Love!’. 

“We also strive to apply these principles during our events and for us, the enthusiasm and  respect shown by the children, coaches and nursery administrators during last weekend’s  Under-9 festival was the most satisfying aspect of the entire event. We look forward to  organising more events and initiatives for the benefit of our youth nurseries and their young  members.” 

Photos courtesy of www.stephengatt.com

The following nurseries took part in the 2023 Enjoying The Game Under-9 Festival: 

Balzan, Birżebbuġa Windmills, Dingli Swallows, Fgura United, Floriana, Għaxaq, Ħamrun  Spartans, Hibernians, Kirkop United, Luqa St Andrews, Marsaxlokk, Mellieħa, Mosta, Mtarfa,  Naxxar Lions, Qormi, Qrendi, Rabat Ajax, Santa Venera Lightnings, Sliema Wanderers, St Andrews, Swieqi United, Tarxien Rainbows, Żurrieq, Valletta, Xgħajra Tornados, Żabbar St  Patrick and Żebbuġ Rangers. 

During last weekend’s festival, the Youth FA continued to support the ongoing efforts to  encourage the young football enthusiasts and nursery coaches to enjoy the unique  experience of watching Europe’s rising stars in Malta at the upcoming UEFA Under-19  European Championship between 3 and 16 July, 2023. 

The Youth FA would like to thank the officials and volunteers who assisted throughout the  Under-9 festival and the Malta FA for making the Centenary Stadium available for this event  as well as the Under-11 festivals held regularly throughout the 2022-23 season.