After nine years, where are they now?
The future of any football club depends on the way it promotes its junior talent. No one can ever criticise Parramatta Melita Eagles in this regard.
They have managed to convince the mighty Manchester United to establish their football academy in Australia from the Melita Stadium at Granville South NSW. This was done in face of stiff competition from more affluent clubs 'down under'.
The recent fusion with Police Community Youth Clubs (PCYC), one of the largest community organisations in Australia, is another example of the vision for the future and the care Parramatta take of their budding talent.
In November 1998, a dream that had been on the board for many years was realised. At the time, I was the Consul-General of Malta in NSW. The tour was my own initiative and that of Vince Balzan, the youth coach.
A special sub-committee was establish to plan the first Cultural and Sporting Tour of Malta. Useful support came from Emmanuel Ciappara and the BOV Sports Club.
It was decided that the players selected had to be under the age of 20 years, of Maltese descent and from the ranks of the youth and senior teams of Parramatta Eagles then playing in their rightful place in the Premier League. More than $50,000 was raised.
The success of an initiative like this is judged by looking back to see how many of the players in the tour party are still with the club after all these years. The photo in this page tells the whole story.
Five players who had made the trip to Malta at present are playing for the first team in the Winter Super League of NSW. They are Ben Delicata, Patrick Gatt (co-captains), Michael Debono, Daniel Borg and Michael Xuereb.
In 1998, the Maltese welcomed the tour and the squad was the toast of the town playing at main stadiums on the islands.
The Paramatta touring group met the President, Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, toured most of Malta's historical places and were guests at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner.
I think the way we were treated was fantastic... transport, meals and entertainment were offered to us at low or no cost, so much so that when we returned we still donated over $10,000 to the club from the money saved.
The tour would not have been the success it was without the hard work and enthusiasm put in by the sub-committee that also included Doris Drewry, Lawrence and Nathalie Gatt, Dorothy Muscat, Lee Scerri, Dianne Vella and the late Ann Aquilina.