2021 in review: 13 main social initiatives implemented by Fgura United FC

During the festive season, reflecting upon the ending of the year is a must. Notwithstanding being a football club, Fgura United FC is also an NGO renowned for its social and educational initiatives, both domestically and internationally.

This year the Club opted to intensify its efforts, particularly due to the celebration of the 50th anniversary since its inception. As I ponder upon, I see a vibrant football club that stood the test of time and rose to the occasion. The Club is involved in a multitude of social and educational initiatives – which were, and still are essential, especially in the pandemic era of today.

We remain a football club that is focused on providing quality footballers for the future and mature adults and social champions.

The 13 main initiatives implemented in 2021 (found below) were implemented alongside the hundreds of hours of football coaching sessions and friendlies.

1. The 3rd edition of the 50hr non-stop football marathon in aid of Puttinu Cares Foundation

Puttinu Cares Foundation is a children’s cancer support group that is mainly focused on providing psychological and logistical support to cancer patients, particularly those who require traveling overseas for treatment. The NGO is currently in the process of implementing a €20 million estate project which will see hundreds of families benefiting from free accommodation. During our marathon, sponsors, supporters, families, and kids flocked our gates and played football for 50hr non-stop. We managed to gather an astonishing sum of over €40,000!

2.??The 1st edition of Fondazzjoni Seb? football marathon

Fondazzjoni Seb? provides residential services to children and victims of violence and their children, as well as a community social work service offering support to families. The Residential Homes of Fondazzjoni Seb? offer a safe and loving home to children and families, who due to difficult circumstances, need to live away from their own family for a short or long period of time.?The club facilitated this event by co-organising it, thanks to which over €4,000 were collected.?

3. Collaboration with Richmond Foundation?

The Club facilitated and offered our premises free-of-charge on various occasions, including to entities like Richmond Foundation, which Foundation is involved in the provision of community services for people with mental health problems. It was particularly pleasing to see members residing in this NGO’s hostel come over and enjoy a nice kick in our premises.?

4. ‘B-brave’ Campaign

The Club participated once again in the anti-bullying week by encouraging our young players to prepare and deliver artwork related to anti-bullying awareness. The reception for this initiative was fantastic.

5. Appointment of an Emotional Intelligence Coach?

A new role of an Emotional Intelligence Coach has been set and filled by Mr. Adrian Xuereb Archer. When requested, the Emotional Intelligence Coach conducted one-to-one sessions with young players faced or potentially could face an emotionally challenging situation, including injury recovery, poor pitch performances, and anything connected therewith.?

6. Youth Workshop with A?enzija ?g?a?ag?

The Club delivered several online sessions on goal setting, time-management, and team dynamics to our Under 15s group. These informative sessions were delivered by A?enzija ?g?a?ag? during which the under 15s were directed to work in groups to strengthen the inner team collaboration and cohesion.?

7. Career Days

Some years ago, the Club had organised initiatives related to CV writing and career guidance. This year we went a step further by organising interactive and inspirational sessions in relation to their potential professional and sporting career. Our members had an open dialogue with renowned local professionals in the sporting scene namely, Mr. Trustin Farrugia Cann, Dr. Chris Bonett, Mr. Kevin Azzopardi, Mr. Gareth Sciberras, Mr. Andrew Hogg, Ms. Joanna Camilleri, Mr. Stewart Said, Dr. Kiril Micallef Stafrace and Dr. Dorianne Caruana Bonnici.

8. Personal/professional development

Throughout the year the Club delivered several informative sessions to both the players and parents on various topics including effective communication, managing addictions, substance abuse in football, importance of nutrition in sports and many more.?

9. Placement opportunities for internal and external students

The club served as a placement provider for internal and external students that required experience in voluntary work to achieve their respective studies. We are particularly proud that many of these students opted to stay involved in the Club structures, even after they have complete their studies. External professional placements were also sought for our members.

10. Delivery of gifts for Children’s homes

An effort was done to collect new and/or used toys/books for distribution to Children’s homes. From books to electric motorcycles, these were delivered during the Christmas period to the enjoyment of the kids residing in such homes.

11. L-Istrina Contribution

An annual donation was presented and collected by His Excellency Dr George Vella, President of the Republic of Malta, on behalf of the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation.

12. Book bank initiative

A book bank was placed in our social bar whereby parents, kids and visitors can freely borrow a book at their own pleasure. Over 100 books up for grabs.

13. Football For Life Programme

The Club has again teamed up with the Football Social Responsibility Department of the Malta Football Association in their Football For Life Programme. We are making our pitches accessible to minor asylum seekers, whom are residing in Dar Liedna in Fgura, as to practice and enjoy the game of football, and this under the guidance of professional coaches. This initiative goes hand in hand with our belief for inclusion and integration.

As can be witnessed, our social and educational drive is not merely a piecemeal approach but rather a mantra, a culture, a way of doing things, which we aim to solidify further in the upcoming year.

The Club will soon clinch a Memorandum of Understanding with the Foundation for Social Welfare Services which will see professionals conducting various workshops with our players and coaches. Furthermore, we aim to solidify our relationship with Richmond Foundation by ensuring that emotional intelligence workshops are conducted for our coaches.

Whilst this is just a taster of the Club’s yearly initiatives, a word of gratitude needs to be attributed to all committee members, coaches, helpers and sponsors for making these initiatives possible, particularly to Mr. Andre Zammit, the person responsible for much of the social and educational projects.

?Our mission continues.?