Melita FC's youth nursery yesterday signed a four-year sponsorship contract with Atlas Insurance and Eurosport Adidas, commencing in April 2010.
Melita are the only club in Malta with an amateur status and they put special emphasis on their youth sector. At present, they have 400 young players enrolled in their nursery and 38 qualified coaches.
Moreover, their U-19 and senior squads are virtually made up of homegrown players.
Addressing a news conference at Eurosport in Birkirkara yesterday, David Borg Hedley, Melita youth nursery official, mentioned the club's achievements last season, namely the promotion to Division One and the winning of the KO competion for Division Two and Three clubs for the second year in a row.
Borg Hedley pointed out that the club depend mostly on homegrown talent and their players are regularly selected to represent their country at youth level.
"The Melita nursery has always been at the forefront of youth football," he said.
"We now have excellent facilities as we want to give our young footballers the right tools to develop.
"At Melita, we also do our utmost to maintain a friendly atmosphere, so we also owe our success to the players, coaches and all those in the club's fold."
Among the main reasons behind Atlas's decision to back Melita is the amateur status of the club. The club's policy will ensure that the sponsorship will be of benefit to the nursery, Jackie Attard Montalto, Atlas's marketing manager, said.
"This is Atlas's first partnership with a sporting association," she said.
"Our goal to help the community develop further is reflected in Melita's principles."
Manuel Peresso, CEO at Eurosport, said his firm has been involved in the local sporting sphere for 16 years, backing athletes with sponsorships.
"Despite the economic downturn, Eurosport has never turned its back on Maltese sports as we try to assist whenever possible, just like we're doing with Melita," Peresso said.
"With this kind of backing, Melita can further strengthen their nursery, keep their amateur status intact and live up to their motto 'Play the game for the game's sake'."