Sandro Farrugia returns as Hibernians women’s coach

Former Starlites FIJO women’s coach Sandro Farrugia has joined rivals Hibernians BC to lead the side’s women’s team this coming season.

In a statement issued by the Paola club, it was confirmed that Farrugia had accepted an offer on Monday that sees him replace Norbert Borg, who had led the team to a top-spot finish in the regular season this past campaign.

“Sandro (Farrugia) had won the League Championship with the Paola club in season 2017/018 and has now decided to continue the good work done at that time as from the coming season,” the statement read.

Watch: Malta U-16 girls take home bronze in FIBA European Championship

Farrugia, who also led Malta’s Under-16 girls’ team to Bronze this summer in the FIBA European Championships has signed a two-year contract with Hibs with the option of extending the agreement for a further two years.

Former play-caller Borg, who resigned at the end of last season for personal reasons, will be heading the other way to join Starlites as the club’s girls Under-19 and Under-16 coach next season.

Speaking to the club’s media following the appointment, Farrugia said that he was impressed by the determination of the Paolites to rebuild another strong setup in all divisions following the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the “unexpected internal strife” that took place last season.

“(Farrugia) believes that presently at Hibs there is a competitive side and he will only be trying to strengthen the squad possibly by adding just one player,” the statement added.

He takes over for preseason training in early September.

Read: Caffe Moak Luxol crowned women’s league champions after seeing off Hibernians

Hibernians finished last season’s regular season as the top seed after 18 games with an 11-7 record, followed by Farrugia’s Starlites (10-8). They were, however, overcome by Santino Coppa’s Caffe Moak Luxol in the championship game when they lost the series 3-1 as Luxol won their first title since 2017.