The Triestina Soccer School Malta was launched last week at De La Salle College.

Franco Schiraldi, head of youth section at Triestina Calcio, was present for the launching.

He said the idea to set up a Triestina soccer school in Malta came about after he was contacted by Alfio San Filippo, an observer for several clubs in Italy, Bro Martin Borg and Kenneth Vella, director and assistant head at De La Salle respectively, and Robert Busuttil.

“Although Triestina Calcio is a small club compared with others, we are now an established team in the Serie B and the club boasts a very promising youth system,” Schiraldi said.

“Besides, we have very good relations with top Serie A clubs and several players who came through the Triestina nursery are now playing top-flight football.”

The football school, which will be based at De La Salle College, will be open to players aged between six and 13 years.

Former Malta international Peter Pullicino, a fully-qualified coach who plays Premier League football for Marsaxlokk FC, will conduct the training sessions, all based on a programme worked out by the Triestina youth sector technical staff.

“At that age we feel that it’s important for children to enjoy themselves primarily while practising their favourite sport,” Schiraldi said.

“In the next few months we hope to have some Maltese players training with us in Trieste. From time to time we organise trials at the club to unearth new talent.”

For his part, Bro Martin said he was pleased De La Salle will be hosting the soccer school (email to triestina.mail@gmail.com).

“We are fully committed to offering our students various incentives, besides the educational curriculum. De La Salle invested heavily in sports facilities lately, including a new synthetic pitch,” he said.

One may obtain more details by phoning 9986-2418 or 7989-6309.