The selection of the Under 12 team of the Juventus Academy in Malta placed a creditable third in this year’s edition of the Academy Cup in Turin, a tournament hosted by the Juventus Soccer Schools for its academies from Italy.

The team from Malta hosted a number of 10 and 11 year old children that attend the academy since it wanted to present this unique opportunity to as many kids as possible. The fact that the team crossed paths with 12 and 13 year old children makes the sporting achievement of the Maltese youngsters even more remarkable.

Notwithstanding the placing in the tournament this event gave the young players attending the Juventus Academy a unique opportunity to start living their dreams.

Apart from having the opportunity to play against similar academies from all over Italy, the team was given the opportunity to participate in a Juventus organised tournament, to have one of the players, namely Olivier Kapo, visit their dressing rooms before the event and also the opportunity of a walk-about at the Stadio Delle Alpi before the league game against Reggina.

“We are very pleased with the trip,” said Franco de Gabriele, Head of Delegation for the Juventus Academy in Malta. “We have surpassed our expectations and are very pleased with the performance of our children on and off the pitch. First and foremost all the players making the trip and eligible to play had the opportunity to play in all the games.

“Participation is a key element within the philosophy of the Juventus Academy and this enables children at such a young age to integrate as a team. The sporting result achieved was phenomenal to say the least.

“We knew we had talented children within our ranks and we had prepared ourselves very well, yet we knew we faced stiff opposition and thus did not expect such a placing, even though we felt that on the day we also had the chance to win it all.

“Our biggest achievement of all was the response we got from the Juventus scouts who commented that our team was well organised, had the right enthusiasm and, above all, had some very talented players,” concluded De Gabriele.

The Juventus Academy in Malta is the first international academy within the Juventus Soccer Schools project and was set up in October 2004. This is the first year of operation and soon the participants will commence the last term of the season.

Enrolled children within the academy train twice a week for a total of 60 sessions per year. The academy’s main aim is to cater for the general development of children through the application of football.

The affiliation with Juventus guarantees the highest level of quality in all aspects and the possibility of being coached and scouted by the best in the industry.

Applications for the third term are open. For further information one may call Charles Borg, Technical Director for the Juventus Academy on 9987 0357