MFA FOOTBALL ACADEMY
The boys’ Academy, comprising those born in 1998, is made up of a group of 30 boys who attend training three times a week under the supervision of coaches Anthony Garzia, as head coach, Josef Mansueto and Noel Turner, with Etienne Mecieca as goalkeepers’ coach.
The MFA has appointed ex-Inter and Parma youths coach SERGIO SOLDANO as Youth Development Officer whose work is to co-ordinate the development of young footballers selected to form part of this academy. This selection was done after assiduous scouting.
Since December 2011 these academy boys have been proceeding to the MFA Technical Centre every Wednesday straight from school. They have lunchtogether with their Coaches. From time to time different speakers give them lectures on several themes. The MFA Sports psychologist, Adele Muscat, also attends these Wednesday sessions.
A slot in the timetable is allotted for homework and study time. After a coffee/tea break the boys go for their training sessions at approximately 6.45 pm, after which they are collected by their parents at about 8.30 pm.
As part of their programme these boys have two friendly matches in Italy, and in May they are due to take part in an international tournament intended to widen their experience on the field of play.
The idea is to create an environment of living together, sharing ideas and helping one another. Moreover, this set-up helps the boys develop their education and sports life in a unique environment.
This extra effort by the Technical Centre is meant to provide future national teams with players who would have already enjoyed a professional experience which can be extended in future years with our national teams’ set-up.
The MFA Football Academy for girls was set up in January 2011 with two different age groups, the Under 13 and Under 15 Academy. The former academy is under the charge of coach Dorianne Theuma and her assistant, Melania Bajada, both national team players.
Training sessions are held once a week between 5.45 and 7.00 pm at the MFA training grounds.
Currently the group comprises 30 talented girls aged from nine to 12 years.
The Under 15 Academy is coached by Dionne Tonna, assisted by Kathleen Saliba. At present there are 18 girls in this group and their training sessions are on Thursdays from 5.45 to 7.00 pm, also at the association’s training grounds at Ta’ Qali.
Goalkeeper training is also catered for, with Sharon Costantino and Michelle Zahra, who also form part of the national team, conducting this training.
National team coach Pierre Brincat and his assistant Mark Gatt oversee the training of these two academies.
