The Search for the Next Footballer of the Year

Photos of footballers holding trophies and being hailed as ‘Footballer of the Year’ inspire many. Though many youngsters conjure grand images of what that entails, the road to that trophy starts with the easy steps of picking up the ball and playing the game. The best news is that plenty of clubs are providing this opportunity right now.

Primary School Festivals Pave the Way

Following winning the UEFA Euro Championships in 2022, the England Lionesses requested parliamentary leaders to give the opportunity for young girls to play football in school equally as the boys and in recognition of their request, the necessary investment was kicked into motion to enact this. Though it may seem like a small thing, access to play the game regularly is crucial to normalise participation in the sport, especially for young girls who have been unfortunately marginalised from the sport for years. In being exposed to the game, young talent may be identified and nurtured appropriately to shine as the stars of tomorrow.

In Malta, the Malta FA’s Women’s Football Department combined with the ‘Inhobb il-Futbol Foundation’ to launch a series of school festivals that ran throughout the scholastic 22/23 year. The festivals were launched to provide an opportunity for Year 4 and 5 girls to play football and in doing so open a pathway for those interested to perhaps take the leap to join a club of their choosing.

The festivals culminated at the St. Joseph Institute in Santa Venera a week ago and in total engrossed more than a hundred girls from six different schools. The girls were split into 10 teams. Two teams were fielded by St. Martin’s College, Chiswick House School, St. Catherine High School and Verdala International School, while San Anton School and St. Paul’s Bay Primary School fielded a team each.

Dove-tailing on this, the Centenary Stadium played host to another event on May 10, that involved more than 400 primary school children in Year 5 within the Maltese College system. The event, hosted by the Malta FA, was launched in an effort to promote the UEFA Men’s Under-19 Championship tournaments to be held in Malta between July 3 and July 16, while also enabling many to dip their toes into the community of football in Malta.

Eight schools participated in the mini-tournament where each fielded a mixed team that represented a country that will participate in the tournament as listed below. Any students not participating in the football team provided support from the stands. Additionally, students were treated to a tour of the stadium and a visit to the Malta FA football museum, with tournament ambassadors Michael Mifsud and Joseph Mbong both present at the event.

• Maria Regina College Qawra Primary School (Poland)
• San Ġorġ Preca College Marsa Primary School (Norway)
• St Thomas More College Żejtun Primary School (Malta)
• St Nicholas College Rabat Primary School (Italy)
• Maria Regina College Naxxar Primary School (Portugal)
• St Theresa College Ħal-Lija/Ħal-Balzan/L-Iklin Primary School (Spain)
• St Clare College College San Ġwann Primary School (Iceland)
• St Ignatius College Qormi San Ġorġ Primary School (Greece)

Making the Leap

If a child played in such tournaments and enjoyed it or rather did not have the opportunity but you think would enjoy it, then encouraging them to join a football team of choice may be the next step to that coveted ‘Best Football Player’ trophy. Luckily, as listed below there are several clubs across the islands that are currently looking for players to join their team.

Photo: Timmy Cutugno