We Can Perform Better: Malta FA launches first ever strategy

The Malta Football Association yesterday launched its first ever strategy which will serve as the basis for the local governing body of football’s commitment to raise the game across all levels.

The strategic plan, covering the period 2020-2024, sets out eight goals associated with four areas of key importance.

These are further technical and infrastructural development, growth and sustainability of football clubs, strengthening protection through a legal framework, broadening the exposure and commercial value of the association and domestic competitions and improving good governance by strengthening the compliance and integrity aspects.

The strategic plan is based on the ratification by the MFA’s Executive Committee of the document ‘Vision 2027’ as presented by president Bjorn Vassallo in 2019.

“The vision of the Malta FA is to further strengthen its investment to build a stronger foundation, prioritising long-term development and the sustainability of Maltese football across all levels, from community, grassroots, amateurs, women and youths all the way to the elite, clubs and national team selections,” Vassallo said.

“The actions and projects we are proposing in this comprehensive strategic plan are ambitious but realistic and achievable, guided by our conviction that ‘We Can Perform Better’ as a footballing nation.”

The Malta FA said in a statement that the strategy’s pillars “complement the association’s Mission Statement which is to continue growing and improving the game of football and the people in it at all levels; fostering a positive social change to embrace a sporting culture; championing national pride and unity as we strive to achieve high standards and inspire people.”

The MFA strategy is looking to reach a number of goals by 2024.

These include to invest in the technical set-up to develop a unified game philosophy for our national teams.• Invest in capital projects to improve football infrastructure at Ta’ Qali as well as the facilities of member clubs.

Launch the first projects of Inħobb il-Futbol Foundation and bid to host an important international event. To this end, the Malta FA has already submitted a bid to organise the UEFA Under-19 European Championship in 2023/24.

The MFA is also looking to create a commercially sustainable organisation by pursuing new opportunities and consolidating existing concepts such as sports tourism and esports.

More importantly, the governing body is looking to improve the good governance of the association through ongoing reforms covering the revision of the statute, separation of powers, club licensing and corporate restructuring.

Added to that the MFA is looking to enhance service to the football community through digitalisation and innovation and raise the standards of domestic competitions.

“This strategy is the culmination of a wide consultation process with internal and external stakeholders as the Malta FA sought to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing Maltese football and chart the way forward by establishing clear targets,” the MFA statement concluded.