User:Alexfalzon

FUTSAL MALTA ASSOCIATION (FMA) www.fma.com.mt

The Futsal Malta Association (FMA) was set up in July 2011 and subsequently submitted an application to the Malta Football Association in November 2011 requesting member association status. MFA accepted Futsal Malta Association’s application a member association and was awarded observer status for season 2011/2012.

To date, FMA is recognised as the only Member Association with MFA representing Futsal, with over 40 clubs confirming their affiliation with FMA in June 2012. This makes FMA the second largest local sports association after the Malta Football Association. With over 40 persons in each club including players, coaches, administrators and with the current FMA organisational set-up, FMA is set to create a Futsal Community of nearly 2000 persons.

The scope and aims of the Association are summarised as follows:

Improve the quality of the Futsal Competitions

FMA are focusing to strengthen the competition structure and plan ahead for the improvement of facilities. In order to do this FMA is re-structuring its Competition Regulations. The salient points on the new regulations will include:

Participation limited to Member Clubs Clubs to retain same name and kit colours as Member Club Amateur players free to join any club of their choice Professional players also eligible to play but only with their member club Players register for one season only No transfers permitted during the course of the season No limit on registration of foreign players but only three to be included on Referee Match Report

Premier, First, Second and Third divisions to be set up depending on number of participating teams Disciplinary and Control Regulations based on MFA Regulations FIFA Rules of the Game apply

Promote the sport in Malta through better promotion, branding, and expose to Media

FMA will be seeking the assistance of experienced persons in Marketing to promote the sport. We must believe that Futsal will become the most popular indoor sport locally and marketing will help not only this vision to materialise but also will help our clubs to generate revenue when approaching sponsors. FMA will endeavour to strengthen the image and improve the marketability of Futsal in Malta.

Collaborate with MFA Member Clubs

The Association has the responsibility to promote the sport of Futsal as a ‘complementary’ sport and not to compete against Football. In this respect, the strategy being adopted by FMA is one which seeks improved ties and collaboration with the local established Football Member Clubs. Apart from building upon established club structures, this has a wide variety of advantages, reaching a large number of amateur and professional football players who have been up to now ‘barred’ from playing Futsal, whilst providing the opportunity to develop the sport in conjunction with the nursery and youth sectors of the existing member clubs.

Motivate more players to play Futsal

FMA’s long term vision is to introduce Futsal at grassroots level, where it has been proven that Futsal can be most beneficial, given the proven advantages of Futsal in achieving better ball control skills, quick thinking, passing ability, concentration, dribbling, balance. In this respect FMA will also be working closely with KMS and Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport in the development of Futsal Festivals and Workshops.

Provide better opportunities for players, coaches, referees and administrators

FMA will seek strong relations with all stakeholders in the game and provide a framework for training, competition opportunities, courses, seminars, workgroups etc.

Competitions organised by the Futsal Malta Association

As from Season 2012/2013, FMA will be organising the National Futsal Competitions, comprising the National Futsal League and the Futsal Knock-Out Competition. The winner of the National Futsal League, participates in the UEFA Futsal Cup Competition for Futsal Champions all over Europe.

40 Clubs have affiliated with FMA for the coming season, spread over 4 Divisions.

The first FMA Futsal Season was officially inaugurated on the 6th of September 2012, whereby the FMA Super Cup Final between current Champions Balzan FC and runners up Lija FC.

FMA can be contacted through the General Secretary, Mr. Alex Falzon, on alexfalzonfma@gmail.com.