Swieqi United Football Club, together with AP ORLEN Gdańsk, celebrated the successful conclusion of the UNITED PLAY project an Erasmus+ Small-Scale Partnership in Sport that brought together young female athletes, coaches, and communities from Malta and Poland for a year of cultural exchange, holistic sports education, and international collaboration.

Funded under the Erasmus+ Programme (Grant Agreement No. 101184617), the project used football as a common language to promote inclusion, wellbeing, and mutual understanding among adolescents aged 11–14. The programme included intensive coach training in Poland, virtual cultural exchanges, a football training camp in Gdańsk, and a live-streamed 7-a-side tournament in Malta as the final milestone.

UNITED PLAY trained 23 managers and coaches in holistic youth development and engaged more than 50 young players, culminating in an expanded final tournament that brought together Swieqi United FC, AP ORLEN Gdańsk, Bormla FC, and Hibernians FC Whites—with the latter securing the win.

Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme: “A model of what sport should represent in Europe”

Speaking at the final event, Hon. Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, praised the initiative, emphasising that UNITED PLAY represents:

“the type of impactful, people-centred project Malta needs—one that invests in young people, strengthens community ties, and elevates sport as a vehicle for education and social cohesion.”

He congratulated the consortium for demonstrating how grassroots collaboration can deliver real, tangible benefits at community and European level.

Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner: “On the pitch, differences disappear”

In a special video message, the European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport commended the partners, remarking that: “Sport is one of Europe’s most powerful unifying forces. On the pitch, differences disappear—and UNITED PLAY is a strong example of this unifying power in action. Through this project, you have built bridges, strengthened communities, and contributed to a more inclusive and healthier Europe.”

A Year of Connection, Learning and Growth

The UNITED PLAY project delivered a comprehensive programme built around three core pillars:

• Holistic Training for Coaches: A 4-day training programme in Gdańsk covering physical development, psychological resilience, and nutritional education.

• Cultural Exchange & Integration: Two virtual sessions enabled Maltese and Polish youths to connect and build rapport before meeting in person.

• Mobility & Competition:A football training camp in Poland and a culminating 7-a-side tournament in Malta, livestreamed for families and supporters.

Stronger Communities, Stronger Europe

Dr Justin Fenech, President of Swieqi United FC, highlighted the project’s significance:
“UNITED PLAY has shown what young people can achieve when we provide the right tools and environment. Football gave them a shared platform; Erasmus+ gave us the framework to make it transformational.”

AP ORLEN Gdańsk echoed this, underscoring the value of combining sport, education, and cultural exchange to nurture confident, resilient young people.

Looking Ahead

Both partner organisations reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the networks and exchanges built through UNITED PLAY, with intentions to continue collaborating on youth development and European sport initiatives.

About UNITED PLAY

UNITED PLAY: Fostering Cultural Exchange and Holistic Growth in Youth Sports
Funded by the Erasmus+ Programme – Small-Scale Partnerships in Sport
Grant Agreement Number: 101184617

Project partners:

• Swieqi United Football Club (Malta) – Coordinator
• AP ORLEN Gdańsk / LG Football Academy (Poland)