IFF, BNF Bank host 2021-22 National Junior Leagues Awards Night

The Inħobb il-Futbol Foundation (IFF) partnered up with BNF Bank to celebrate the contribution and achievements of the teams that took part in the 2021-22 BNF National Leagues in the Under-17, Under-15 and Under-14 categories.

The winning teams, promoted sides, top scorers and Fair Play award winners took centre-stage at the Awards Night, held last Thursday at the Centenary Hall, with Pietà Hotspurs and Valletta topping the bill as winners of Section A of the BNF National U-17 and U-15 Leagues respectively.

Awards were also given to the winners and promoted teams in the other sections in both leagues, namely:
Under-17: Section B – Hibernians (winners), Naxxar Lions (promoted); Section C – Sirens (winners), Mġarr United (promoted); Section D – Żejtun Corinthians (winners), Siġġiewi (promoted).

Under-15: Section B – Żurrieq Wolves YN (winners), Gozo (promoted); Section C – Lija Athletic (winners), Żebbuġ Rangers (promoted) Section D – Rabat Ajax (winners), Siġġiewi (promoted).

In line with the Malta FA Technical Centre’s guidelines, no trophies were awarded in relation to the BNF National Under-14 Development League but the participating nurseries received a certificate of participation on Thursday.

Għargħur and Tarxien Rainbows were announced as winners of the Fair Play Award in the U-15 and U-17 leagues respectively.

Thursday’s event also served as an ideal occasion to further promote the values of fair play, teamwork and integrity with former Malta players Gareth Sciberras and Michael Galea, Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the IFF respectively, encouraging the young players to uphold these values and enjoy playing the game at all times.

“My message to you is to always do your best, give your 100 per cent but do so by honouring the values of sportsmanship, fair play and integrity which are at the heart of the IFF work,” Galea said.

George Debono, Chief Commercial Officer of BNF Bank, praised the dedication and passion of all
the stakeholders in youth football, adding: “With the sterling work being done by everyone, I am
confident that we will succeed in our mission to nurture the love for football among our youths. BNF
Bank is willing to keep supporting this movement.”

In his address, Ivan Woods, the IFF Grassroots Manager, said the Awards Night is the culmination of
a season of footballing emotions, with all the highs and lows, in the BNF National Junior Leagues which
saw the participation of over 2,000 players.