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Restructuring, key projects define Malta FA work in 2019-20

Published: 29-07-2020 18:20
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2019-2020 was a challenging and eventful season as the Malta Football Association embarked on an internal restructuring process and launched a series of key projects to align itself with the new strategic priorities presented by Bjorn Vassallo who was elected President last year. During the ongoing Annual General Meeting, Dr Angelo Chetcuti, the Malta FA General Secretary, provided a detailed overview of the Association’s main activities and projects last season which triggered unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “While it is normal for a new president to bring new ideas, the transition affects people in different ways,” Dr Chetcuti said. “Today the organisation is more coherent in the way it is structured. It revolves around three pillars – the footballing aspect, the administrative side and the financial one. “This necessitated an adaptation process, from the staff and colleagues who helped in no small measure to ensure that these changes were assimilated as planned and reflected in an organisation that is in sync with its strategic objectives.” STRATEGIC GOALS Dr Chetcuti expounded on the strategic goals of the Association. “We have put greater emphasis on the technical aspect which is reflected by the increase in the members of the technical staff and the creation of new roles such as that of Technical Co-Ordinator who, together with the Head Coach, is a point of reference, this ensuring coherence and consistency,” he said. The Malta FA is also stepping up its efforts in the grassroots sector not only to widen the pool of young footballers but to give them the opportunity to fulfil their potential and stay in the game of football. “In this contexct, we are developing a pilot project for girls, Football In Schools, that will eventually cater for both girls and boys thanks to the extension of the UEFA Hat-Trick Programme,” Dr Chetcuti said. “Our aim is that this work paves the way for a wider commitment associated with the creation of the Inħobb il-Futbol foundation.” The strengthening of the technical aspect is also mirrored in the coach education sector. With the second edition of the UEFA PRO Coaching Course commencing last September, season 2021-22 will see the introduction of new coaching requisites whereby all Premier League coaches must have a UEFA Pro Licence. The Malta FA continued the process of offering more online services, including the renewal of coaching licences, coaching courses and digital forms for clubs. A new online training platform for match officials was also introduced this season while, at national team level, the Association signed a partnership agreement with Iterpo, one of the world’s leading football intelligence companies. At international level, the Malta FA is finalising its bid to host the UEFA Under-19 Championship in 2024. REGULATION AMENDMENTS Dr Chetcuti made reference to the important regulation amendments approved during the season, especially those related to the Status and Transfer of Players and the revision of the medical regulations whereby clubs are now obliged to have a certified first-aider on their teamsheet while the frequency of medical screening for players has increased. The Association is also organising a series of free first-aid courses for clubs and is in the process of installing over 40 Automated External Defibrillators (AED) at all stadia where competitive football is played. Dr Chetcuti alluded to the incident where Sta Venera Lightnings player Yau-Mun Law suffered a cardiac arrest during a match at the Centenary Stadium in October. While expressing his satisfaction that Yau Mun-Law has recovered and still forms part of the local football family in a different capacity, Dr Chetcuti conveyed his gratitude to Malta FA paramedic Charlot Lanzon and photographer Walter Sargent for their crucial interventions. The magisterial inquiry into this incident found that the Malta FA’s medical protocol worked well and played a vital role in saving the life of Yau-Mun Law. ASSISTANCE TO CLUBS The schemes and assistance programmes for clubs were consolidated in season 2019-20. These include the administrators scheme, young players development pot, guaranteed gate income and facility maintenance scheme. “We need to remember that these schemes are an incentive to encourage clubs to invest more in their administration, facilities and young players,” Dr Chetcuti said. Referring to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Chetcuti said that, beyond the competitions aspect, the Association strove to maintain constant dialogue with internal and external stakeholders and offered support and assistance to the clubs. The Association is also in constant contact with Malta Enterprise and Identity Malta, where there are ongoing efforts to address certain issues, and has also put together a COVID-19 response package to assauge the financial difficulties being faced by clubs.