McDonald’s FootballPlus For Kids series kicks off on Sunday

The Malta Football Association is again teaming up with the Youth Football Association and McDonald’s (Malta) Limited to launch the third series of The McDonald’s FootballPlus For Kids educational programme for boys and girls.  The McDonald’s FootballPlus For Kids is one of grassroots initiatives organised by the Malta FA. The principal objectives of these festivals are: • Growth and retention among the younger generations;• Promotion of local football;• Improve the image of the game;• Development of better football players The McDonald’s FootballPlus For Kids series runs between March and May with the Youth FA playing a crucial role in the organisation of five regional festivals for children aged under 11. This year’s festivals, which kick off this Sunday with the first event at the Żejtun Football Ground, were launched during a news conference held at the Trophies Lounge on Friday. The press conference was addressed by Dr Angelo Chetcuti, the Malta FA General Secretary, Adrian Grech, Events Co-Ordinator at the Youth FA, and Paul Dragan, General Manager of McDonald’s Malta. Eight to 10 football nurseries participate in each festival which provides the perfect setting for the young footballers to enjoy playing football while also offering other activities such as educational and cultural tours, and football health and safety tips. Moreover, every football festival adopts a social theme. Over 2,000 boys and girls have participated in the 10 McDonald’s FootballPlus For Kids festivals held over the past two years. The dates and venues of this year’s festivals are:• Sunday, 18th March, 2018 at the Żejtun Football Ground• Sunday, 25th March 2018, at the Żebbuġ Football Ground• Sunday 15th April, 2018 at Żurrieq Football Ground• Sunday 29th April, 2018 at Mġarr Football Ground• Sunday 6th May, 2018 at Marsaxlokk Football Ground This year’s programme has an added value as it encompasses the McDonald’s Player Escort Campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, being held in Russia this summer. A final event for the shortlisted applicants is planned for the weekend of the 12th and 13th May, 2018.