On Saturday morning, the Malta FA National Football Centre buzzed with energy as Under-8 players from 31 football nurseries gathered for a special football festival. The event served as the backdrop for the distribution of the 2025/26 Solidarity Payments to member clubs and nurseries outside the Premier League.

These funds, provided through an agreement with the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, specifically support grassroots setups, as top-tier clubs receive separate funding via UEFA.

Young athletes enjoyed small-sided matches on the same natural turf used by the national teams. The event was attended by Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo, Minister Byron Camilleri, and Youth FA Founder Fr Hilary Tagliaferro.

Key Highlights:

• Purpose: Supporting youth development and social inclusion through local communities.
• Impact: Investing in children’s health, education, and social skills via the National Development and Social Fund (NDSF).
• Vision: President Vassallo emphasized that football’s mission extends beyond elite levels to driving social change, while Minister Camilleri noted that every great player starts at the grassroots level.