The MFPA Awards ceremony, celebrates the beautiful game and the players that are at the very heart of it. In its 4th edition, organised by the Maltese Football Players Association, and held at the Limestone Heritage – Siggiewi, on the 8 of May 2017, the ceremony was attended by football’s local elite. Hosted by ex-football player Ben Camille, together with Deandra Agius, the ceremony saw, 24 awards given to the best talent in local football, as decided by their peers. Local band, Airport Impressions, provided a live musical reprieve.

In an address that highlighted the advancements achieved through MFPA’s collaboration with MFA’s Social Dialogue Board, General Secretary - Carlo Mamo, called on to football fans to embrace the changes proposed by MFPA, for the proper development of football Players. MFPA has been calling for the removal of the Parametres system for years. Such a system, he said, discriminates maltese players, because it is illegal elsewhere in the world. It hampers local talent and obstructs the progress of Maltese football. Progress, he said, can not be achieved without change.

MFPA executive member and Maltese National Player Gareth Sciberras, won a place in the MFPA’s Best XI, i.e the dream team, after a positive performance in his very last competitive football season.

Jurgen Degabriele was overwhelmingly chosen as the MFPA Best Young player, effectively identified as the future bright promise of Maltese football.

The evening culminated to the most prestigious award of the night, with Bjorn Kristensen crowned as the undisputed MFPA Best Player for season 2016/2017. He becomes the first to take home the stunning new trophy, launched especially by the MFPA for its most significant award. Kristensen, visibly proud with this achievement thanked the Association for the award, and his peers for the recognition.

A complete list of winners on the night:
MFPA Best Coach - Mark Miller
MFPA Best Referee - Alan Mario Sant
MFPA Best First Division Player - Juninho Cabral
MFPA Best Female Player - Steph Farrugia
MFPA Best Futsal Player - Everton Vevé
MFPA Best Young GoalKeeper - Jake Galea
MFPA Best Young Defender - Daniel Ylenia
MFPA Best Young Midfielder - Jake Grech
MFPA Best Young Forward - Jurgen Degabriele
MFPA Best XI Goalkeeper - Dziugaz Bartkus
MFPA Best XI Left Back - Leandro Aguirre
MFPA Best XI Right Back - Marcelo Dias
MFPA Best XI Central Backs - Rodolfo Soares, Jonathan Caruana
MFPA Best XI Midfielders - Bjorn Kristensen, Jackson Lima, Alan Da Silva Souza, Gareth Sciberras
MFPA Best XI Forwards - Jean Paul Farrugia, Bojan Kaljevic
MFPA Special Award - Swieqi United
MFPA Merit Award - Tony Gambin
MFPA Best Young Player - Jurgen Degabriele
MFPA Best Player - Bjorn Kristensen