Swiss semi-professional and professional teams are once again using the natural turf training ground and facilities of Floriana Football Club for their winter training camp.

The teams are in Malta from 7 to 10 days and are booked from beginning February to mid-April.

This is the second visit to a training camp in Malta for a number of the teams.

Floriana Football Club is one of the very few football grounds that have natural turf training facilities.

Commenting on the latest visits of the teams to Malta Tony Zahra, former President of Floriana Football Club and now responsible for the facilities said: "The facilities at Floriana are continuously improving and we are delighted that we have been able to support the Tourism industry by offering our facilities. We believe that Sport can play a significant part in attracting participating sports people and their families to Malta especially in the winter months".

Floriana are presently negotiating a major revamp of the facilities including installation of new lighting, perimeter fence and dressing rooms and this with the financial support of the Malta Football Association which is making available co-funding for the upgrading of football facilities in Malta.

In addition Floriana are relaying their synthetic turf 9-a-side pitch which is projected to have a nine-year life span. This synthetic pitch compliments the natural turf pitch since it is only possible to utilise the natural turf pitch for a maximum of two hours a day to keep it in good condition.

Zahra said that clubs in Malta need all the help they can get since they only survive on the goodwill of their few benefactors and volunteers. However the contribution that is made to society in general and to youth in particular is quite substantial since they help to keep youth away from other temptations and provide them facilities where to train and play.