The Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) has launched another educational initiative aimed at raising awareness on important football-related and health matters.

The MFPA is offering to organise free information sessions focusing on the application of first-aid treatment, integrity and mental health for players and coaching staff. This programme, which is fully financed by the MFPA, is open to all Maltese clubs who may opt to host any or all of the three proposed sessions.

Developing the knowledge and understanding of medical care for players is central to the first-aid sessions which the MFPA has been organising for a number of years. The other sessions deal with integrity matters, also covering the MFPA’s red button app, and mental health lectures delivered by a sports psychologist.

Clubs interested in hosting these free information sessions for players and technical staff can contact the MFPA on 7939 8055 or sent an email to info@maltafpa.com.

INTEGRITY

A one-hour information session delivered by the Malta Football Association Integrity Officer, Dr Herman Mula. The lecture aims to raise awareness among players on serious issues such as betting and match-fixing. Our message is to fight for what is right and be loyal to the values of Fair Play and Respect. Some players fall victim to match fixing when they least expect it, and education is the way forward. One out of every 10 players is approached to fix a match at least once in their career and many aren’t sure if or where to report. Not doing so is also punishable by law. The MFPA will provide a guide on how and when to use the newly-developed Red Button App that allows players to report match-fixing approaches safely and anonymously.

FIRST AID

Health awareness in football has become a priority as all stakeholders recognise the importance of promoting sound medical practices. Accidents can happen during training, at times when medical personnel are not present, and not knowing what to do or how to react in emergency situations can prove fatal. The MFPA is offering to organise one-hour information sessions led by a qualified first-aider. The aim is to raise awareness among teams while also showing them how to use medical equipment such as automated external defibrillators (AED).

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MENTAL HEALTH

WHO estimates that, by 2030, depression will be the biggest threat to public health worldwide. Football players have many distractions nowadays and are under increasing media and public scrutiny. Being athletes does not mean that they are immune to mental health challenges. Tough training, high physical demands and life issues can raise mental health concerns. 

Factors such as social media and family are great to have in one’s life, but a player needs to know how to use these tools to create a good work-life balance. The MFPA is looking to inform players on how to juggle life’s pressures for optimum performance on the pitch. During these sessions, a sports psychologist will be addressing mental health, providing an insight into topics such as overtraining, injury, competitive anxiety and sleep. As a follow-up to the one-hour session, the MFPA will also extend its services to players who would like to seek help with a qualified sport psychologist.

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