GFA Annual Presentation Dinner

INTENSIVE ACTIVITY BY GFA DURING THE PAST SEASON

  “The Gozo Football Association, being well aware of its responsibility to do everything possible for the Gozitan spots enthusiasts to practice their favourite sports in the best conditions and a better environment, managed to implement intensive work in various aspects throughout the football season that just came to an end.  This responsibility results from the fact that football has an important role on our island because it practically affects all the sectors of the Gozitan society”.  This was the opening statement of the President of the Gozo Football Association, Mr. Alvin Grech, in his speech during the Annual Presentation activity organized by the association at the end of each season.  During this activity, held at Ta’ Cenc Hotel in Sannat on Friday June 18, 2010, the association officially presented the trophies to all the winners of the various competitions, announced and presented trophies to the winners of individual honours and also rewards of appreciation to individuals for their contribution in the achievement of particular projects during the season.

  The GFA President also stated that during the 2009/2010 season the association organized not les than seventeen domestic competition, seven championships, ten knock-out competitions, the Gozo Cup and the VIVA World Cup.  The latter two competitions were organized for the first time during the current calendar year.  The Gozo Cup was contested by a Selection from the Gozitan championship and three leading teams from the Premiership of the MFA.  The competition was a great success and also contributed to stimulate economical activity in Gozo during a period when the tourism industry goes through a quiet period.  The President also said that the VIVA World Cup also gave a wider exposure and publicity to the island.

  Mr. Grech also said that the priorities of the GFA for the next years are aimed to continue with projects for the improvement of the facilities, not only those at the Gozo Stadium, but also at Sannat Ground and those of the member clubs so that all the players and children will have the best possible facilities for their regular training and for the competitive matches.

  The President insisted on the need for further consolidation of the Youth sector not only to produce good football players but also to be educators and provide support to all those whom we can influence positively.  Mr. Grech said that the association will not stop by implementing various infrastructural projects that changed completely the appearance of the Gozo Stadium but also embarked in projects to transform the Sannat Ground up to international level.  All the work carried out involved a large amount of human resources who come from different sectors.  Mr. Grech thanked in particular those persons who worked close to him, amongst them the General Secretary Mr. Joe Bajada for the large amount of work carried out during the season, the GFA treasurer Mr. George Cini who work hard with all the sponsors and the President of the Gozo FC Dr. Joseph Grech, who was also the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the VIVA World Cup.  The President praised the members of the Executive Committee, the Council, those of the Gozo FC, the Gozo Youth FA, Board Members and all the members of the Clubs.  A particular appreciation was expressed by the President to architects Lodovigo Micallef and Angelo Portelli for carrying all the work on the projects free of charge, to the MFA officials for the financial aid need3ed for the projects at the Gozo Stadium and Sannat Ground and the main sponsors Melita, General Soft Drinks, Gozo Express, Bank of Valletta and Gozo Channel.  Special thanks were addressed to the Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono, the Minister Finance Tonio Fenech and Parliamentary Secretaries Dr. Chris Said and Clyde Puli for their continuous support throughout the season, which was indispensable to complete all the projects carried out during the past year.  Mr. Grech concluded his speech by expressing appreciation towards all the family members of those involved in football in Gozo who provide the necessary support to the individuals responsible in different sectors of football.

  Other speeches for the occasion were delivered by Dr. Joseph Grech, as President of the Gozo FC, Mr. Ivor Micallef, Melita Cable plc representative on behalf of the sponsors, Mr Carmelo Bartolo MFA vice President and the Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono.

  The Minister for Gozo started her speech by expressing her contentment in attending this annual activity, which is organized with such enthusiasm by the GFA as shown by the expressions of satisfaction on the faces of the winners of the honours.  Hon. Giovanna Debono insisted that sport plays an important role in the development and improvement in the lifestyle of our citizens.  This is a main reason why the Ministry for Gozo collaborates with various initiatives and projects of the GFA, clubs and other sports entities on the island.  Minister Debono mentioned the organization of the VIVA World Cup and praised the GFA for all the efforts to make this competition a memorable occasion.  Hon. Debono said that the GFA showed that it has the necessary abilities in organization and administration of human resources and also showed that despite the limitations of our small island Gozo has sports facilities of international level.  All this was possible due to the collaboration between various entities that contributed for the improvements of the sports facilities.

  The Minister added that the Ministry for Gozo is giving due important to sports in the implementation of eco-Gozo in terms of encouraging people to practice sports to improve the quality of life of the Gozitan society.  Currently, a main project consists in the development of an indoor swimming pool which will be an additional sports facility in Gozo.  This development will increase the potential of the island become an attraction as a destination for sports tourism.  The minister concluded her speech by encouraging all those involved in football to aim for high levels of performance.  She made reference to the publicity of the activities by means of the weekly TV program and wished the President of the GFA Mr. Alvin Grech and his colleagues for further success in favour of sport in Gozo.

  The President of the Gozo FC Dr. Joseph Grech gave a round up of the results achieved by the teams participating in different categories at national level.  He expressed deep disappointment for the relegation suffered by the men’s team but on the other hand the President said that the Women’s teas made up by obtaining a series of results that established the team in the top flight.  Dr. Grech also said that some Gozitan players are forming part of the national team.  The President also made reference, as chairman of the organizing committee for the VIVA World Cup, to the organization of the main event in Gozo during 2010.  The chairman said that the tournament meant days of hard work from a small group of people who dedicated most of their time for the organization of such a prestigious event.  It was a great satisfaction to such a number of representatives from different regions, who together with the Gozitan selection contested the fourth edition of the VIVA World Cup.  This edition saw the success of Padania, who won both the men’s and women’s tournaments.  The VIVA World Cup left a positive mark for the island of Gozo and opened up opportunities in the sector of sports tourism.  Dr. Grech said that it was worthy to thank the GFA President Mr Alvin Grech and the Treasurer Mr. George Cini for all their work in providing logging, visas and other daily routine work required to meet the demands of each contingent.  He also thanked General Secretary Mr. Joe Bajada who was in charge of the logistics for the matches, was one of the referees of the matches for the tournament and was also chosen to be a member in the Referees Commission of the NF-Board, who are the organizers of the VIVA World Cup.  Dr. Grech concluded by expressing gratitude to all the sponsors, mainly Bank of Valletta and Gozo Channel; and other entities including the Malta Football Association, the Ministry for Gozo, the Minister of Finance and the Malta Sports Council for their massive contribution for the upgrading of the facilities at the Gozo Stadium.

  Another message was delivered by Mr. Ivor Micallef, representative of Melita Cable plc on behalf of the sponsors.  Mr. Micallef said that Melita consolidated their relationship with the GFA where a match from the Melita Division I championship was transmitted on the Sports Channel every week.  He said that for another consecutive season Melita also transmitted a final match live on its channel.  This is a means of support that the company gives to various local sports associations.  Mr. Micallef announced that Melita is opening a new channel from August which is dedicated completely for local sports, and the television program GFA Review will be one of the programs in the schedule.  The access to the new channel will not require additional expenses to the Melita subscribers.  Mr. Micallef concluded by thanking the Gozitan clubs for their cooperation and support throughout the season.

  Mr. Carmelo Bartolo, vice-President of the Malta Football Association, said that his association always welcomes the yearly invitation by the GFA because it is an occasion where one looks back at all the work carried out during a whole season and an occasion where those who distinguished themselves are honoured.  Mr. Bartolo explained ways where the GFA and its member clubs are receiving aid through programs of the MFA.  He pointed out that it is a pity that all the enthusiasm of the people during the period of the FIFA World Cup is not found towards local football.  He asked on what is keeping this from happening.  He pointed out that one should ask whether all the work carried out by the MFA and the GFA in the youth sector is enough to increase the interest in the game despite the improvements in the facilities and opportunities for all the children to play their favourite game.  Mr. Bartolo said that with collaboration and efforts from everyone further development can take place not only to upgrade the facilities but also to improve sports within the schools so that there will be more time dedicated for sports activities in the education of our children.  The MFA vice President wished the GFA and the member clubs for the future so that the largest and most popular sports in our country will continue with its development and will improve its level.

INDIVIDUAL HONOURS 2009-10

Best Player GFA Division I               John Paul Grima (Victoria Hotspurs F.C.)

Best Foreign Player GFA Division I    Claudio Antunes (Nadur Youngsters F.C.)

Best Player GFA Division II              Jonathan Micallef (St Lawrence Spurs F.C.)

Best Player GFA U/21                       Saviour Attard (Nadur Youngsters F.C.)

Best Player GYFA U/17                     Dylan Bellotti (Victoria Hotspurs F.C.)

Best Player GYFA U/14                     Zacchery Meilak (Nadur Youngsters F.C.)

Best Player Gozo F.C.                        Mark Muscat

Best Player Gozo F.C. U/15               Damien Spiteri

Best Player Gozo F.C. U/17               Mathew Muscat

Best Player Gozo F.C. Women           Joseline Gafa (SK Victoria Wanderers)

Best Player GFA Women                    Melania Bajada (SK Victoria Wanderers)

Best Player GFA Women U/15          Rebecca Bajada (Xagħra United F.C.)

Top scorer GFA Division I                 Manwel Cordina (SK Victoria Wanderers) – 16

Top scorer GFA Division II               Gothard Conti   (St Lawrence Spurs F.C.) - 15                                                      Dione Lautier (Oratory Youths F.C.) - 15

Top scorer GFA U/21                        Daniel Bartolo  (Xagħra United F.C.) - 10

Top scorer GYFA U/17                       Ian Xuereb (Nadur Youngsters F.C.) – 28

Top scorer GYFA U/14                      Gennaro Hili (Xewkija Tigers F.C.) – 19

                                                         Simon Galea (Xagħra United F.C.) – 19

Top scorer Gozo F.C                          John Camilleri – 9

Top scorer GFA Women                    Joseline Gafa (SK Victoria Wanderers) –  20 Top scorer GFA Women U/15           Yanika Mercieca (Xagħra United F.C.) - 9

                                                         Julia Vella (S.K. Victoria Wanderers) –  9

                                                         Samatha Vella (S.K. Victoria Wanderers) –  9

Top scorer  Gozo F.C.Women            Joseline Gafa  –  16

Most Promising Player GFA Division I  Ferdinando Apap (Għajnsielem F.C.)

Most Promising Player GFA Division II Francesco Cini (Oratory Youths F.C.)   

Most Promising Player GFA U/21          Steve Dimech  (S.K. Victoria Wanderers)

Most Promising Player GYFA U/17        Joseph Grima (Nadur Youngsters F.C.) 

Most Promising Player GYFA U/14        Chrismar Xuereb (Sannat Lions F.C.)

Most Promising Player Gozo F.C.           Michael Bezzina

Most Promising Player Gozo F.C. U/17  Josiah Buttigieg

Most Promising Player Gozo F.C. U/15  Samwel Muscat

Most Promising Player Gozo F.C. Women Moddy Ann Refalo

Most Promising Player GFA Women      Jolene Debattista (Nadur Youngsters F.C.)

Most Promising Player GFA Women U/15 Ylenia Muscat (Sannat Lions F.C.)

GFA Official of the Year                         Joe Camilleri (Nadur Youngsters F.C.)

Ex-GFA Member- Long Term Member    Tonio Ellis (ex-Tezorier GFA.)

Ex- Club Member – Long TermMember  George Pace (Kerċem Ajax F.C.)

Ex-Member who contributed for Gozitan Football  Frankie Muscat

Memory for the Benefit of Gozitan Football

                                                           Peter Paul Camilleri (Nadur Youngsters F.C.)

TEAM HONOURS 2009-10

Melita Division I championship

                           : Champions      : Victoria Hotspurs F.C.

                                                              : Runners-up     : Għajnsielem F.C.

BOV Gozo F.A. Cup                             : Winners         : Sannat Lions F.C.

                                                              : Finalist           : Kerċem Ajax F.C.

Rikardu Ellis Super Cup Division I    : Winners         : Victoria Hotspurs F.C.

   : Finalist           : Sannat Lions F.C.

Independence Cup                              : Winners         : Victoria Hotspurs F.C.

                                                              : Finalist           : Sannat Lions F.C.

Freedom Day Cup                                : Winners         : Victoria Hotspurs F.C.

    : Finalist           : Nadur Youngsters F.C.

Melita Division II championship

                         : Champions      : St Lawrence Spurs F.C.

                                                            : Runners-up     : Xagħra United F.C.

K.O. Division II                                : Winners         : Qala St Joseph F.C.

                                                           : Finalist           : Oratory Youths F.C.

Sportika Super Cup Division II       : Winners         : St Lawrence Spurs F.C.

                                                             : Finalist           : Qala St Joseph F.C.

Powerade U/21 championship      : Champions      : S.K. Victoria Wanderers

                                                  : Runners-up     :.Nadur Youngsters F.C.

Powerade U/17championship       : Champions      : Victoria Hotspurs F.C.

                                                  : Runners-up     : Nadur Youngsters F.C.

Powerade U/17 K.O.                     : Winners         : Victoria Hotspurs F.C.

                                                 : Finalist           : Nadur Youngsters F.C.

Powerade U/14 championship     : Champions      : Nadur Youngsters F.C.           

                                                 : Runners-up     : Sannat Lions F.C.       

Powerade U/14 K.O.                   : Winners         : Sannat Lions F.C.

                                                 : Finalist           : Nadur Youngsters F.C.

BOV Women’s champiosnhip       : Champions      : S.K. Victoria Wanderers

                                                 : Runners-up     : Xagħra United F.C.

BOV Women’s K.O.                      : Winners         : S.K. Victoria Wanderers

                                                  : Finalist           : Xagħra United F.C.

BOV Women’s U/15 chmapionship : Champions      : Xagħra United F.C.

                                                  : Runners-up     : S.K. Victoria Wanderers

BOV Women’s KO U/15                 : Winners         : S.K. Victoria Wanderers

                                                   : Finalist           : Sannat Lions F.C.

Good Conduct Cup                        : Winners         : Munxar Falcons F.C.