'FIFA Live Your Goals'

 The Malta Football Association, yesterday launched a new campaign, supported by FIFA called LIVE YOUR GOALS.The media present were addressed by Ludovico Micallef - MFA Vice President, Robert Gatt – Technical Director, Maria Mifsud - Deputy General Secretary (Grassroots, Youth Development & Education) and Pierre Brincat – National Team coach.  These MFA representatives explained the importance of introducing girls to football at the grassroots level, at the same age as boys. They stated that they would like that all of its present women’s senior teams, have an U16s team and an U11’s team. The MFA aspires for a growth in girls from 6 years of age and more qualified female coaches to coach these young girls. Women’s football in Malta was established in 1995 and after almost two decades we believe it has grown to be the number one female sport in our country. Recent years have shown a steady increase in numbers of footballers and this prompted the Malta FA to conform with this expansion by changing the league structure and also introducing an Under 16 women’s league and an Under 11 festival. As from season 2011-2012, the association embarked on a mission to generate awareness and portray a positive image of girls’ football by infiltrating into as many sections of the population as possible and by eliminating the social stigma that surrounded female football. By means of a nationwide promotional campaign the MFA endeavoured to raise more awareness of the beauty of this sport. The work on developing the game at this level needed constant supervision and assistance in order to ease proper growth. As a result, in season 2014-2015 the association is taking another step towards the further development of the game. The MFA’s vision and plans for the next four years are now that of assisting the clubs further and increase the number of qualified women’s coaches and also young girls at Grassroots level. The aim is to widen the area of participation among the younger generation in the 6 to 11 category while also organising an Under 11 festival on a fortnightly basis in order to retain the young girls in the football fold. This will reinforce the concept of the project. By means of a nationwide ‘FIFA Live Your Goals’ and free open days carrying this slogan the MFA is expected to generate another fresh surge of enthusiasm among girls between 6 and 11 years of age. Promotional sessions in schools and the School Festivals will be run concurrently by the MFA Technical Centre’s Women’s Department, thus supporting the ‘FIFA Live Your Goals Campaign’ The open day festivals this season will be on the 27th December 2014 and 4th April 2015. From 2012/2013 the Association introduced an U11s ongoing Festival to give the girls the opportunity of playing frequent matches, and the MFA believes that the event must be reinforced thus this Festival as from this season will be branded Live Your Goals. It will be hosted in a UEFA mini pitch in Pembroke and with no expenses to the clubs. For season 2014/15 we have 10 teams participating in the Girls festivals U/11s. Dates of these festivals are as follows: October 4th & 18th          November 8th & 22nd     December 6th & 20th      January 17th & 24th        February 21st & 28th March 7th & 21st April 11th & 25th May 9th & 23rd The MFA’s ambassadors for this campaign are Dorianne Theuma and Charlene Zammit. These girls have been chosen because they are exemplary players and very dedicated MFA Girls Academy Coaches. They have outstanding records in competitive football leading them in representing Malta in various international matches and they are simply the right role models for all little girls aspiring to be footballers. Thiscampaignisorganised bythe Associationunder the auspicesof FIFA. Expressions of thanks are extended to FIFA for their support to the MFA’s application in their campaign to increase girls in the grassroots. For more information the MFA may be contacted on girlsfestivals@mfa.com.mt .