The Inħobb Il-Futbol Foundation (IFF) has appointed Josie Cassar as Director of Administration.
A former football player and grassroots coach, Ms Cassar is responsible for implementing the IFF Board’s strategic direction with a major focus on all administration matters, including the day-to-day operations and the ongoing planning and management pertaining to all aspects of current and future IFF projects.
Photo Credit: Joe Borg
Gareth Sciberras, Chairman of the IFF Board of Administrators, welcomed Ms Cassar’s appointment. “The appointment of a director to lead the IFF administration has been a priority for some time as we felt this was the way forward for the Foundation to ensure good governance and further improve the level of efficiency and communication through greater collaboration among the coaching staff, scouts and other stakeholders,” Mr Sciberras said.
“Josie Cassar’s appointment follows a thorough selection process during which she emerged as the outstanding candidate for this position. Given her football background – as player, coach and administrator, and her track record in top management positions, Ms Cassar has the credentials to ably perform the duties and responsibilities associated with this role.”
Ms Cassar takes up her new role with immediate effect. Commenting on her appointment, she said: “The IFF focuses on player development, increased participation and inclusion. Through various personal experiences, I am able to bring the knowledge and expertise required to continue strengthening all three elements that are at the heart of the Foundation while enhancing its autonomy from an administrative perspective.”
In sync with its main goals and objectives as set out in the Malta Football Association’s strategy for the period 2020-2024, the IFF has launched several important projects over the past two years, namely:
· Regional Football Hubs – aimed at optimising talent development, currently catering for two age-groups (Under-12/13, and Under-14);
· Fun Fit Football – a nationwide project whereby primary school children are introduced to football and encouraged to lead an active lifestyle;
· UEFA Playmakers – over 1,000 girls, aged five to eight, have participated in the first two seasons of this European project which offers an innovative introduction to the game of football through compelling story-telling based on Disney movies.
· Futsal and beach soccer – Creation of the Futsal Academy (Under-13 to Under-16) and more beach
soccer events targeting youths.
· On-going Football Social Responsibility projects.