The series of school festivals for season 2022-23 wrapped up last Friday with over 100 girls taking part in the fourth and final event at the St Joseph Institute football pitch in Santa Venera.

A total of 10 teams from six schools participated in the festival with St Martin’s College, Chiswick House School, St Catherine High School and Verdala International School fielding two teams each. They were joined by San Anton School and St Paul’s Bay Primary School.

Organised by the Women’s Football Department within the Malta FA and the Inħobb il-Futbol Foundation, the festivals are aimed at providing more opportunities for girls (Year 4 and 5) at local primary schools to play football while further promoting the game at grassroots level.

The fun aspect is given a lot of importance during these festivals and the feedback received from the girls and their coaches and teachers shows that this objective is being met.

Photos courtesy of Timmy Cutugno

Antonia Limbuwala, representing St Catherine High School, said: “Thanks for organising these tournaments. All the girls have improved so much and had so much fun. They are inspired to join clubs now and go further in the sport.”

Charlotte Sultana Evans, from St Martin’s College, also endorsed these festivals, describing this as “a great year, and great to have these festivals back again. Thanks to the organisers”. Gayla Umnova, representing Verdala International School said she was looking forward to taking part in such an amazing festival during the next scholastic year.

During last week’s festival, the participating girls were given information material about the upcoming UEFA Under-19 European Championship, being held in Malta from 3 to 16 July, 2023.

Schools that may be interested in taking part in these girls football festivals next season can contact the Women’s Football Department by sending an email to footballgirls@iff.mt