In line with the strategic objectives set by premier league front-runners Gzira Utd, today is yet another milestone event - the relaunch of the Gzira Utd youth development scheme.
The project branded "we are back" will give the opportunity for Gzira young football talents to join the youth development scheme where they shall be coached, taught and nurtured through a development cycle/program starting from the ages of 6 years till 13 years.
"We are back" is a project that will see Gzira Utd franchise the administrative and technical expertise of Malta's largest and leading youth development scheme, namely Luxol St. Andrews.
Through this strategic franchise partnership, Gzira Utd and the young talents of Gzira will have the opportunity of embracing the Luxol St. Andrews youth development model, that over the past 25 years or so has evolved and produced many a fine talent today gracing Malta's premier league as too all Maltese youth national teams.
Training will be hosted at the state of art sports facilities available at Luxol St. Andrews and all sessions will be conducted by the Luxol qualified staff coaches and specialized personnel.
Former national coach and technical director of Luxol St. Andrews Pippo Psaila shall be leading the project.
Training frequency will be 3 times a week and students will have the opportunity to participate in the extracurricular activities such as football residential camps in Gozo, overseas stages, and international academies hosted at the Luxol facilities, such as Newcastle, Rangers, and others.
So as to facilitate participation, Gzira Utd has purchased 2 minivans that shall be specifically designated to transport daily the students from designated catchment areas to the Luxol training facilities.
As part of the "we are back" program, Gzira Utd in collaboration with the Luxol St. Andrews franchise shall be hosting a reaching out program during the months of February till April that will be open to all young talents and which shall all be free of charge.
This will entail the following:
1. A road show in all the primary and secondary schools within the Gzira locality. Here, Luxol staff coaches will visit the schools and offer free football coaching during P.E. and recreational periods.
2. Two football festivals to be hosted at the Luxol training facilities for all young talents on the 10th of February between 09.30 and 11.30 and on the 20th of April same times.
All participants will be given a commemorative t-shirt and a certificate of attendance.
During the April festival, a skill test will be hosted with the winner being awarded a handsome prize - a full/complete kit of the senior Gzira premier side autographed by the players and coach.
All activities are free of charge.
In its long and chartered history Gzira Utd have always been synonymous with a polished brand and style of football and have been the cradle of some of Malta's footballing legends such as Malta national team Captain and footballer of the year , Ronnie Cocks, Eric Schembri, Michael Sultana,Hugh Caruana, Toninu Camilleri, Charles Zammit , Paul Portelli,Tony Borg, George Cuschieri, Martin Vidal, Michael Woods, John Micallef.
The "we are back" project is targeted to emulate the development of talent of the past which is part of Gzira Utd heritage.