Malta FA Council approves new coach qualifications criteria

The Malta Football Association Council on Tuesday approved amendments to the coaching qualifications’ regulations which will come into effect from next season – 2021/22. Revised qualification criteria for coaches working in the different categories of Maltese football are central to the new regulations with the overriding aim being to raise the standards of domestic football in line with the Malta FA strategy. These changes are also in accordance with UEFA’s Coaching Convention which aims to set high standards to improve the quality of coach education by developing better coaches and ultimately better players and the overall quality of the game. From season 2021-22, qualified coaches engaged by Member Clubs must meet the following criteria in the following categories: Premier League – UEFA ProChallenge League – UEFA ANational Amateur League – UEFA BYouth League (Section A & B) – UEFA AU17 (A+B), U15 (A+B) and U14 – UEFA BHead Coach ‘A’ Licence Nursery – UEFA A (from season 2022-23 UEFA A Elite required).Women’s Football – UEFA C The gradual plan to introduce the UEFA Pro Licence requirement for all coaches working at Premier League level, the top tier of Maltese football, was announced some years ago following discussions with UEFA which eventually led to the Malta FA hosting its first ever UEFA Pro Licence Course in 2015-2017. The second edition of this course, which kicked off in 2019, is nearing its conclusion. As part of this overhaul, the MFA A and B coaching licences will be phased out by season 2024-25 and coaches holding these badges will be invited to specific course modules to obtain a UEFA A and B licence respectively. INĦOBB IL-FUTBOL FOUNDATION Tuesday’s Council meeting also focused on the creation of the Inħobb il-Futbol Foundation, the constitution of which was approved by the Assocation’s Executive Committee last week. The principal task of the Foundation is the implementation of a new performance strategy for youth development. This is based on three main pillars – greater accessibility and increased participation in football, the pathway from grassroots to elite level, and child protection and player welfare. The Malta FA is introducing three regional football hubs – two in Malta and one in Gozo – for young, promising footballers aged between 11 and 14, as part of its long-term plans to further boost youth development. Former Malta Under-21 coach Silvio Vella has been appointed Head of the Regional Football Hubs project which is also part of the Association’s strategy. STATUTORY REFORMS CONSULTATIONS Council Members received an update on the ongoing governance reforms and the principles underpinning the new Code of Ethics. The revision of the statute, separation of powers, club licensing, and corporate restructuring are other areas of priority being addressed by the reforms. With regard to the wider statutory reform, the consultation meetings with several stakeholders, including clubs in the different divisions and Member Associations, will commence next week. COVID-19 UPDATE With regard to the COVID-19 Return to Play Protocol, the Malta FA Football Operations and Medical Departments have co-ordinated over 1,5000 rapid tests involved in football in the last months at a cost of €21,000, taking the estimated expenditure on COVID-19 procedures this season to over €130,000. Until last weekend, over 90 per cent of the scheduled matches in the senior leagues, youth leagues and Women’s league have been delivered as planned thanks to the implementation of the Return To Play Protocol.