Draft:FC Ħamrun Amateurs

Football-Club Ħamrun Amateurs is a Sportive Community based in Ħamrun. It is best known for its men's football amateur team which plays in the MAFA 3. Division, the third tier of the Malta Amateur Football Association football league system.

The idea to establish FC Ħamrun Amateurs was done by two brothers Jürgen & Kurt Buhagiar and a few months later Ramon Vella join the project. Together they started to draft out ideas for the new amateur football team.

This project is intended to be more than just a football team, but to establish a Sportive Community.

In the beginning
At the onset of the year 2022, Ħamrun Amateurs commenced extensive preparations for their inaugural participation in the Malta Amateur Football Association championships. The administration issued a call for talented players to undergo tryouts, with the intention of assembling a competitive team for the upcoming competitions sanctioned by the Association. As a significant milestone, the team was officially accepted as a member of the Association, thus granting them eligibility to partake in its various tournaments.

The MAFA 3. Division spanned from 1st October 2022 to 13th May 2023. In addition to the Championship, Ħamrun Amateurs enthusiastically participated in the MAFA Knockout, another esteemed football competition. Throughout the summer season and during the Preseason, the Sports Community successfully forged collaborative partnerships with several companies, securing crucial support to fortify the team for the demanding season ahead. These affiliations demonstrate the team's commitment to enhancing their performance and fostering strong relationships within the sporting community.

During the initial year of establishment, Ħamrun Amateurs diligently focused on solidifying their team structure and initiated various procedures in collaboration with prominent government entities such as the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, The National Youth Agency of Malta, and SportsMalta. These endeavors aimed to attain official recognition for the team, enabling them to apply for schemes and funding opportunities offered by these institutions. Efforts yielded favorable outcomes, as their application was successfully accepted, resulting in the team being granted a prestigious certificate as a Voluntary Organisation (VO/2365). Additionally, they earned membership in the esteemed Hamrun Associations Union, a noteworthy accomplishment that further strengthened their standing within the local sports community.

In recognition of their potential and commitment to collaboration, Hamrun Amateurs received an invitation to participate in a Team Building event on May 6, 2023. During this occasion, the chairperson, Jürgen Buhagiar, represented the Sports Community and engaged with other associations, fostering fruitful interactions and exploring opportunities for future partnerships. This proactive approach has already initiated communication with various associations, reflecting the team's enthusiasm for mutual cooperation and growth within the broader sporting landscape.

2022/2023 Season
In the initial stages, the concept of conducting a Campus Recruitment program was embraced as an opportunity to meticulously select players for an upcoming season. The endeavor attracted approximately 40 potential candidates, comprising participants from Hamruniżi itself, individuals from other regions, and even prospects from non-Maltese nations. From this selection of 40 players, a judicious decision was made to narrow down the selection to a final roster of 30 players. Subsequently, the month of July was dedicated to intensive training sessions, geared towards honing the skills and abilities of the chosen squad members. With the training phase complete, the months of August and September witnessed a series of friendly games, providing the team with valuable match experience and an opportunity to refine their strategies.

In addition to the friendly matches, the team also participated in a memorial game dedicated to commemorating the late Christian Degabriele, a notable player associated with Paola Kordin. This solemn occasion served as a poignant reminder of the player's contributions to the sport. During the event, a touching gesture of friendship was extended as the teams joined in prayer, paying homage to Christian Degabriele's memory. Through these concerted efforts and events, the organization demonstrated its commitment to nurturing a cohesive and competitive team, while also fostering a spirit of camaraderie and remembrance within the sporting community.

As October approached, the training regimen intensified, allowing the coaching staff to dedicate more time to refining the skills and overall preparedness. The culmination of efforts was set for the 1st of October when FC Ħamrun Amateurs would make their official debut against Fgura Spartans. The game commenced, and in an auspicious start, they secured an early lead as Andriy Camilleri netted a goal in the first minute, capitalising on a well-executed Josef Zammit corner. This marked a momentous occasion as it signified the club's first official goal in the prestigious MAFA competition. However, despite a spirited performance, the match ended in a 2–1 defeat for Hamrun.

The initial first round proved to be challenging as encountered a series of losses. As the media may have cast their opinions during this period, our team remained steadfast in our commitment to improvement. Within a span of just three days, they faced two matches, emerging victorious against Fgura Spartans and securing a draw against Gżira United Sports-Club. This positive outcome concludes the year 2022 on a high note.

In January 2023, during a four-week break from competitive football, the coaching staff organised a Winter Training Camp to assess potential new players. Concurrently, they engaged in two friendly matches against Valletta Stars St. Dominic's and Żebbug Youngsters, both held at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. As February unfolded, the challenges intensified with fixtures scheduled every Saturday. However, our team exhibited remarkable consistency, securing positive results and accumulating valuable points.

In March, the Amateurs' performance continued its upward trajectory as they secured another victory against Fgura Spartans, thereby surpassing them in the standings for the first time. A noteworthy milestone was achieved the team won two consecutive games, with a subsequent match against Bugibba Club de Swat.

As April approached, the Sporting Community made its debut in the second MAFA competition, the MAFA Knockout. In this event, Andriy Camilleri showcased his skills by scoring the first goal for the team in this competition. Regrettably, despite the efforts, Hamrun was unable to progress further, concluding the journey in this particular competition.

The final competitive game of the season took place on May 13, 2023, signifying the conclusion of the inaugural season for Hamrun Amateurs. Throughout this period, the team displayed determination, resilience, and a collective dedication to elevating our performance on the field. As they reflect on the accomplishments and lessons learned, they are poised to embrace future opportunities, continuously striving for excellence in the seasons to come.

The team finished in fifth place (out of 6 teams) total of 13 points, 3 wins, 4 draws, and 8 losses. Scoring 16 goals and conceding 30. It's worth noting that because Fgura Spartans stopped taking part, the Malta Amateur Football Association Committee followed the statute and the three points that got against Fgura Spartans were deducted, so on paper, ended up with 10 points.

Ħamrun Amateurs won the fair play award for being the team with the best disciplinary record in the Division. In their fifteen league matches, Hamrun received the least amount of yellow & red cards from all the other teams which were competing in the same division and qualifies for the Twanny Agius Fair Cup.

2023/2024 Season
The season will commence on the 5th of July by having the first preseason training session.

Kits
The club's kit colors are red and black stripes. These colors have historical significance and represent a strong connection with the sportive community in Ħamrun.

Honours

 * MAFA 3rd Division
 * Champions (1): 2023–2024
 * MAFA Fair Play Award
 * Winners (1): 2022–2023