The Malta Football Association’s endeavours to build on the concept of adequate physical fitness of footballers based on modern scientific methods are fast catching ground. Enhancing the players’ level of fitness is a priority.
The medium to reach these goals is having a complement of fully qualified football physical trainers who will be engaged with clubs in preparing players from youth to top level to reach optimal condition of fitness.
It has now been felt that more qualified personnel are needed to cope with the numerous footballers playing for our clubs.
To this end the association, through the principal official responsible for physical training, Luca Pagani, is organising another course for football physical trainers and will be spread over six modules.
The course deals with all aspects of physical preparation and will help candidates acquire knowledge in preparing footballers reach the required levels of fitness in line with the increasing demands of proper athletic condition.
The modules, spread over six weekends, have a duration of 72 hours, with a further 50 hours assigned to practical sessions.
The event location will be (i) the MFA Technical Centre Conference Hall (ii) the MFA Training Grounds (iii) the MFA Gym, Ta’ Qali.
It is to be noted that the course enrolment fee of €500 will be subsidised by the MFA, which means that the candidates will only fork out €200. The fee includes (a) all teaching content (b) use of facilities (c) meals (d) tea/coffee breaks (e) official kit (f) course text book
There will be 22 candidates participating in this course to be run by a number of local and foreign lecturers who will be conducting different sessions.
The local speakers are:
(i) Luca Pagani, physical trainer Malta national team,
(ii) Dr David Attard MD, Malta national team doctor,
(iii) Stephen Grima, MFA Head of Coach Education.
The three foreign speakers, all of reputable fame in their area of activity, are:
(i) Francesco Parodi, a professional football physical trainer, formerly with Bologna and Reggina.
(ii) Roberto DeBellis, presently engaged with Juventus and ex-Atalanta, Chievo and Sampdoria.
(iii) Mark Leather, senior lecturer in Sport Therapy at Edge University, England, and Futsal physiotherapist, formerly with Wigan Warriors, Sunderland, Bolton and Liverpool.