Birkirkara in twinning project with Atalanta

The youth nursery of Premier League club Birkirkara have just announced an agreement with Italian Serie B leaders Atalanta on various initiatives, including a training programme for young players and members of their coaching staff.

Henry Bray, youth nursery chairman at Birkirkara FC, said the first contacts were made a few weeks ago through Dione Mercieca, company director of Allsports International Ltd. This firm installed the synthetic turf pitches at the Infetti Training Grounds.

Atalanta are a renowned youth football organisation in Italy with a number of players making the grade in the Serie A through their ranks, namely, Scirea, Cabrini, Donadoni, Inzaghi and Vieri, all former and current members in the Azzurri squad.

Bray led a contingent that included head coach Franco Agius, Robert Bray and John Sciberras. They met Atalanta Sports Director Gabriele Messina, Technical Advisor Mino Favini and head of coaching staff Stefano Bonnacorso at the Centro Bortolotti di Zingonia.

Various matters of interest related to youth football were discussed during the meeting and the Birkirkara delegates were also introduced to senior team coach Stefano Colantuono.

Thanks to the agreement reached, members of the Birkirkara nursery coaching staff will be attending a coaching clinic in Italy next month and an Atalanta delegation will be visiting the Stripes' nursery this year. In future, promising players at Birkirkara will also get the chance to attend individual trials in Bergamo.

One may obtain more details on the nursery project with Atalanta by phoning 9946-8248 or visit the training grounds at P. Bontadini Street, Birkirkara.