The Malta Rugby Football Union (MRFU) are close to fulfilling their long-awaited dream of having their own stadium after reporting significant progress in their discussions with the government over the construction of a new rugby ground.
Martin Galea, president of the MRFU, told a news conference yesterday that his organisation have been offered a piece of land in the south of the country and hopes are high that an agreement will be reached in the coming weeks.
“The government has proposed a site where we can build a rugby stadium,” Galea said without identifying the designated area.
It is believed that the site is not far from the Hibs Stadium.
“Negotiations between the MRFU and the authorities are at an advanced stage and it looks like we are very close to reaching an agreement. This has been a long-term objective for our organisation and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the deal goes through.
“It has been a long wait but if everything goes well, it would be a landmark achievement for the MRFU. In the last few years, our national team has obtained some excellent results on the international scene despite the limited resources available.”
Malta’s 34-17 home victory over Lithuania in a FIRA/AER Nations Cup qualifier, played earlier this month, lifted the team to 40th in the world ranking list.
“Rugby in Malta has made giant strides forward,” national coach Damien Neill said.
“When I took over in 2000, the team was ranked around 70th in the world and when I told the MRFU that my goal was to take the team into the top 40 in the world, they thought that I had lost my mind.
“However, 12 years on, we have reached this position and that objective has been fulfilled thanks to the hard work of the MRFU Council, the clubs and our rugby players.
“The game has flourished in the last few years. When I came over there were only four teams but today we have 15 clubs taking part in the MRFU competitions.
“There is still a long way to go but if we receive more assistance from the authorities, we have the potential to achieve higher goals.”
The MRFU leagues get under way this weekend at Marsa.
The men’s competitions will feature two new teams, Attard Saracens and Gozo Bulls, who will join Birkirkara Alligators, Gladiators, Kavallieri, Malta Marauders, Overseas, Stompers Sliema and Valletta, taking the number of teams to nine.
Neill is also looking to give more international exposure to the Malta-based players. To this end, the MRFU have lined up four friendlies for the Malta A selection who will play twice against the Navy Rugby Select XV, on February 23 in Sicily and March 16 at Marsa, before hosting Cardiff RFC in May and Gibraltar in September.
The Malta Marauders, a selection of veteran players, will also be involved in an international competition when they take part in the Dubai Sevens later this month.
Meanwhile, MRFU referee Lionel Da Silva has received his first international assignment by European governing body FIRA/AER.
Da Silva will take charge of the Division 2C qualifier between Cyprus and Slovenia, to be be played in Paphos on December 8.