The Malta Rugby Football Union (MRFU) have just organised a very first rugby tour for children to play at the annual tournament in Le-brino, Catania.
Although this competition has been running for eight years, the Maltese were the first foreign teams to compete.
The U-12 squad was 17-strong and they played 12-a-side matches of which they drew two and lost two but won their play-off to finish seventh out of 12 teams.
The star was young Valletta lady Rowhanne Zahra. She was voted Player of the Tournament. Out of 400 players, only six were girls and four of them were Maltese, two Valletta girls and two from Kavallieri.
The team were accompanied by coaches David Goodwin, Joseph Borda, Simon Zammit and Patrice Debierre. They had been training together for two months under the watchful guidance of MRFU officer Dan Holliday.
The U-14s finished 10th out of 15 teams. They were led by coaches Dave Cutajar, Cedric Farrugia, Roderick Zammit and Mark Hooley.
Apparently the Maltese were popular all round for their sportsmanship and fair play. The squad did a lap of honour around the stadium with the national flag to a burst of applause.
All travel logistics were managed by Joseph Borda and Simon Zammit with Joe Micallef Tours.
Hopefully, junior tours will become a regular happening as rugby increases its hold on the youngsters of Malta who are so well suited to the game, physically and psychologically.
The squads will have learnt a lot by playing against the well-organised style of the Sicilians.
The boys and girls all play at Marsa on Sundays throughout the rugby season.
Junior rugby is a major part of the MRFU long-term plans, led by national coach Damian Neill and supported by GasanMamo.
As always, more facilities are needed to cope with the undoubted enthusiasm shown by the children from a very early age. They are the future internationals who will represent their country in future.
U-12 squad – J. Simpson, D. Calleja, R. Felice, L. Muscat, S. Zammit, D. Delia, R. Zahra, A. Goodwin, J. Borda, S. Zammit, S. Zammit Randich, M. Debierre, D. Mallia, A. Rogers, J. Steinbeck, D. Azzopardi, T. Vincente.
U-14 squad – R. Abela, D. Camenzuli, Jacob Zammit Randich, Jethro Zammit Randich, S. Grech, S. Montebello, J. Micallef, S. Ebejer, M. Borg Bonaci, D. Grech, K. Ciangura, D. Camilleri, P. Muscat, Z. Blundel, J. Galea, A. Buttigieg, R. Bugeja, N. Zammit.