We are approaching the start of a new competitive season. 2024-25 only ended recently and we are already heading into the new season. Nowadays, football remains active throughout the year and the calendar no longer allows for any free space as in the past. More than anything, football today has become less passionate and more commercial, heavy from a legal perspective, an economy, and our country is no exception.
In other words, recent years have seen a total transformation of the game and all that revolves around it. The Malta FA has never been afraid of change. We have always been at the forefront in mapping out the future of the game. And there is no better way than to do this at a strategic level, supported by a well-thought plan with clear and concise targets where everyone is aware of the direction being followed and the work plan.
Photo courtesy of Malta FA
I’m pleased to note that the first strategic document of the Malta Football Association provided clear guidance over the past four years and today we are going to present a continuation of what we started together. These are exciting days, especially when I remember where we started and being in this position today, talking about the objectives we have attained based on the targets we set, represents a very positive moment indeed. We had very ambitious targets, we passed through difficult times, faced various challenges but above all, we had the enthusiasm to deliver and remain of service to you and the game of football.
We have worked tirelessly on infrastructure, both at the sports complex in Ta’ Qali and also within your clubs, to continuously modernise sports facilities where thousands train and compete day in and day out.
We were also very active in governance, introducing a new statute that grants more rights to members, we prioritised licensing matters and simplified procedures. Of course, for those who are diligent and responsible, the system is straightforward. For those who disregard accountability, it may feel like things have become more complicated — but that’s not the case.
Anyone who is serious has always complied with regulations, and where they haven’t, we’ve intervened with sanctions, because that is only fair. What remains now is the final part of the governance reform — the part where a number of clubs can choose to operate privately under a model that is intended to create new opportunities for affiliated clubs. We’ve submitted a draft law and are now waiting for it to be tabled for approval in Parliament.
I don’t want to list every objective we reached or everything we’ve done through the first strategy — the work speaks for itself. But I do want to highlight that, among the key decisions taken in recent years and during this mandate, was to increase financial support across all levels of the football pyramid, from elite to grassroots. We do this because this institution doesn’t belong to the officials — it belongs to the Clubs and Member Associations, and we are here to serve you impartially.
More than a third of the expenditure, year after year, is returned to members in financial assistance, particularly for the running of competitions. There’s no greater satisfaction than seeing the entire ecosystem respond because the mechanisms work — a result of intelligent planning and the effective management of objectives with the ultimate aim being to raise performance, not only in sport but also in administration.
So, in this 125th anniversary year since the foundation of the Malta FA, I stand before you to present new strategic proposals as a continuation of what we started together.
What we are proposing is aimed at further improving the domestic game — through better standards and more efficient processes — so we can continue to look ahead with optimism and a sense of responsibility, in order to reach our common goal: to inspire our youth and foster national pride.
Naturally, after this meeting, we’ll be in a position to share with you — and also present publicly — a strategic document in soft copy format that outlines in detail the points we have just summarised.
Before anything else, I’d like to thank Maria (Azzopardi) and all the other officials for their unwavering work, as well as the Association’s employees who have always been available to push forward the members’ agenda. Now that we’ve come this far, we are determined to succeed once again.
Managing football — any kind of leadership, really — is becoming more difficult to administer as time passes. And when you also have to deal with resource issues, budgeting, accounting, maintenance of the complex, internal and external relations, and many other matters — all before even discussing things related to the pitch — you come to the conclusion that working in today’s football is no easy task.
Yet, you were always there. You stood shoulder to shoulder with us throughout the journey. There were moments of disagreement, debates about positions or merits, moments when we held firm, and others where we were more flexible — but above all, we always decided and achieved together, in the best interests of the game.
Therefore, my wish is that we remain united as one family, so that through the strength of football, we continue to generate prosperity for the game and our community. Football is a source of emotions and passion — the things we need to stay connected to the system. Who knows how many times we’ve said… “this is my last year, I’m going to stop” — but that “last year” never really arrives. When I look at you, I remember the whole journey and am filled with memories of where we started — so that years later, we can now say we have already left a legacy. And now it is important that we keep building for those who will come after us.
This is only possible if we always keep sustainability in mind. In our context, this means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
And what’s better than leaving behind tangible investment – more facilities for members to enjoy, and from which the Malta FA can continue to fulfil its mission in football. In just a few weeks, we’ll officially inaugurate the National Football Centre – a building that will serve various sporting, administrative, educational, and recreational needs. I thank the Central Government for believing in the potential that Maltese football has to grow and evolve. It’s truly satisfying to see such a large project reach the finishing line.
This was a project that sat on the shelf for years because the Malta FA didn’t have the funds. The initial priority was to invest in the clubs’ pitches around Malta and Gozo, before turning our attention to strengthening the infrastructure at Ta’ Qali. But thanks to support from several entities, we even managed to build on what used to be just a ditch. Just as your pitches and facilities have been modernised, now even in Ta’ Qali we will have a centre that meets today’s footballing needs.
This sends a clear message that we want to continue investing in the development of local players, and it would be a mistake to restrict space for local talent. Just two days ago, we met with your nurseries and explained the latest details on a number of proposals.
We talked about financial incentives — where at this level, under the first strategy, direct operational spending for nurseries reached almost €1 million. This in addition to other forms of assistance that confirm how much the Association values grassroots players and coaches, together with the thousands of volunteers who keep football alive season after season. Without today’s children, we won’t have tomorrow’s players. It is our collective duty to ensure that young ones grow to love the game and embrace the values of fair play in a healthy environment where well-being is central to development — because only this way can they truly progress and perform on the pitch.
In recent months, we’ve strengthened involvement and dialogue with partners to maximise opportunities for athletes and administrators. We intervened several times at ministerial level with proposals that led to new laws on event management and the corporate sector, and we also participated in campaigns that, through football, delivered positive and inclusive messages to society.
It’s not easy to gauge the full impact of all this work — but I’m convinced the footprint is being felt.
This was also a year of multiple successes. The women’s team emulated their performance and brought us joy with another promotion, and we also saw historic successes in futsal and beach soccer. The men’s team are coming off a very tough game, but I am convinced our players can rise to the occasion again starting this September.
On the domestic competition level, just a few weeks ago the Executive Board approved the use of technology for several competitions starting next season. This is an important milestone that will add credibility to the game and support our officials in their decision-making.
The new season will also bring with it a new trophy – the Jubilee Cup – which will be open to everyone, with both the men’s and women’s finals to be held on December 8th as part of the 125th Anniversary celebrations, with football at its heart.
So, I conclude my speech by thanking you for your contribution over the past year, as the Malta FA continued to establish itself as a leading Association in innovation, development, and influence within our country’s sports industry.
The practices that the Association and all members have embraced together are what continue to strengthen the foundations and grow our collective good through a clear and defined sports policy.