The Maltese Rugby League Association (MRLA) has named Tony Farr as the interim coach of the Malta Knights following Joe Grima’s notification to the MRLA that he would be unable to commit to the strictly development rugby league tour to the Maltese Islands in October 2007 due to family commitments.

Tony Farr, who has assisted Grima since 2004, brings to Maltese Rugby League a wealth of development rugby league experience having coached for in excess of 20 years.

Hailing from Sliema, Farr – formerly Farrugia – is looking forward to improving on the preliminary visit made by him and fellow Maltese Rugby League officials in 2005 with a domestic rugby league competition to take place in Malta later this year.

Grima has confirmed his wish to continue his tenure as Malta’s head rugby league coach in 2008 and says Maltese Rugby League is headed in the right direction with Farr at the helm.

“He is one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve ever been associated with” said Grima.

“Tony has over 20 years of coaching experience and Maltese Rugby League is in great hands”

Farr has coached premiership winning sides at the Balmain Tigers and assisted NRL coach Brian Smith in a coaching capacity through rugby league tours to England.

“Being around the team (Malta) for the last three years, I’m honoured that I was approached to take care of the team” said Farr.

Farr will not be alone, laying the foundations for future development within the Maltese Rugby League ranks as seasoned Maltese representative players Ben Sammut and Willie Grech come on board in assistant coach like positions, whilst continuing with their on field roles.

“Ben and Willie are integral to the future of our coaching structure of the national team and both are primed to assist”