The Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) is satisfied that most of the players, who participated in the training camp for out of contract players, have found a club and signed a contract.   

MFPA followed other FIFPro members and organised the training camp for the first time. The aim of the training camp was to help players without a club to find a new employer and sign a contract. Also to help players effected by the ridiculous and primitive rule, that a fee must be paid to the club at the end of a player’s contract to be allowed to sign a contract with another club. This rule still applied in the Maltese!

The training camp took place at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun, between the 16th June and the 4th July.

In all 30 players took part in the training camp, both Maltese players and foreigners. Some of the foreign players have already played in the local leagues but others were new to the local football scene.

The training was under the guidance of the qualified coach Renzo Kerr-Cumbo assisted by coach Steve Vella, goalkeepers coach Michael Church, physiotherapist Aaron Saliba and kit manager Paul Schembri.

All the players were given a full kit and the training camp was free of charge.

Comments from players were very positive. Kurt ‘Maxi’ Magro said that since he was out of contract and not in the plans of the team coach he used to train alone until this training camp came along. Kurt trained for 3 weeks and also was involved in the friendly match. He thanked the MFPA administration for helping him and luckily he signed a contract with a Premier League club.

Roderick Bajada, even though he was not out of contract, but searching for a new club said that the camp was organized in a very professional way. There were all the conditions to enjoy yourself, a good pitch, professional coaches, all the necessary equipment and a group of players that were willing to work hard and enjoy themselves. The performance against Valletta FC said it all about the success if this training camp, thanks to MFPA.

Clive Brincat was the luckiest of the lot since he signed a new contract just after a couple of sessions. He thanked the MFPA and looks forward for future training camps.

Goalkeeper Andrea Cassar had also positive comments after participating in the camp and signing for a new club. Andrea said that it was a positive initiative and very useful for out of contract players. This camp gave the opportunity for players to show off to prospective clubs and he is very satisfied with the new contract.

Carlo Mamo, the MFPA General Secretary coordinated and organized this camp assisted by MFPA Executive Committee members Mark Barbara and Konrad Sultana.

The training camp ended with a friendly match against the Maltese Champions and last season double winners Valletta FC. Valletta won the friendly match by 2-1.

The MFPA has set an ambitious target for next year, to participate in the summer FIFPro tournament.