Norman Darmanin Demajo has been confirmed as President of the Youth Football Association (Youth FA) for another four-year term during the 2025 General Assembly, held last Thursday at the Centenary Hall.
Joe Cassar will continue in his role as Vice-President, also for the next four years. Representing youth nurseries on the Association’s Council are Marlor Caruana (Marsaskala), Mario Grima (Rabat Ajax), and Clayton Oliva (Fgura United).
Photo Credit: Raymond Vella
In his address to delegates, Darmanin Demajo expressed gratitude for their continued support and reaffirmed the Youth FA’s commitment to being an open and dynamic organisation. “Our mission remains to nurture grassroots football by creating accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable experiences for everyone,” he said.
However, the Youth FA President voiced concern over changes to the UEFA solidarity funds distribution scheme in Maltese football which this season was fully administered by the Malta Premier League. Although the total allocation has increased from €1.08 million to €2.35 million, Darmanin Demajo pointed out that nurseries of clubs outside the Premier League and Challenge League have been negatively impacted.
“These funds are primarily intended to support youth development,” he stressed. “As President of the Youth FA, it is my duty to speak out when decisions have an adverse effect on our nurseries. While we are not involved in the decision-making process, we have every right to make our voices heard.
“The principle of solidarity was the cornerstone of the previous UEFA solidarity model in Maltese football, ensuring a fair and inclusive distribution of funds across all levels of the game – including youth nurseries and the Gozo FA. However, the newly introduced criteria for the 2024–2027 cycle have significantly altered this framework.
Despite these changes, the Youth FA remains fully committed to upholding the spirit of solidarity within Maltese football.
“We are disappointed that the Youth FA, as the official representative body for youth nurseries in Malta, was not consulted in this process. Looking ahead, we strongly urge the Malta Premier League and all relevant stakeholders to come together to explore alternative funding avenues for the remaining nurseries who play a vital role in the grassroots of Maltese football and are essential for maintaining future eligibility under this scheme.”
SEASON 2024-25 HIGHLIGHTS
The General Assembly also reviewed the Association’s work over the past season, highlighting ongoing support for football nurseries, educational and awareness initiatives, and inclusion-focused projects.
A summary video showcased the year’s activities, followed by a detailed presentation of the Administrative Report by Youth FA General Secretary Stephanie Rocco. Both the administrative and financial reports were unanimously approved.
Throughout the season, the Youth FA hosted a series of football festivals for various age groups – Under-7, Under-9, Under-10, and Under-11 – at multiple venues including the Birżebbuġa Ground, Centenary Stadium, Rabat Ajax Ground in Mtarfa, and the National Stadium. Notably, the National Stadium hosted a well-attended U10 festival last Sunday, a joint initiative with the Malta Football Association marking the Malta FA’s 125th anniversary. Another commemorative event was the Under-8 futsal festival held at the Basketball Complex last month.
Darmanin Demajo thanked the group of volunteers who regularly help out during the events and initiatives organised by the Association throughout the season.
The Youth FA also continued to support nurseries administratively, particularly with registrations and safeguarding. It facilitated educational sessions in collaboration with Aġenzija SEDQA, focusing on preventing addictive behaviours, and launched several new initiatives.
NEW INITIATIVES
- “Let Us Play: Our Dreams, Our Game” – a campaign promoting positive behaviour among parents, guardians, and coaches during youth football matches and activities. This is a joint-initiative between the Youth FA, the Inħobb il-Futbol Foundation and the Malta Football Players Association.
- IlmaGħalik – a scheme supported by the Energy and Water Agency that enables football nurseries to install modern potable water dispensers, thus offering free access to clean drinking water and reducing plastic waste.
- Goal4Literacy – an educational initiative in partnership with Ħamrun Ħanin and the National Literacy Agency aimed at fostering literacy through the installation of mini-libraries at football nurseries.
TRIBUTE TO ALFRED CACCIOTTOLO
At the start of the Assembly, Darmanin Demajo paid tribute to the late Alfred Cacciottolo, former Youth FA Treasurer, who passed away earlier this year.
Remembering him as a man of integrity and deep passion for youth football, he acknowledged Cacciottolo’s key role in initiating the transition from gravel pitches to artificial turf at club facilities.