sport today

Balzan’s future is in safe hands

HE IS ONE OF THE MOST QUALIFIED COACHES ON THE ISLAND. HE MANAGED TO HELP BALZAN WIN TWO PROMOTIONS ON THE TROT AND WANTS TO WIN MORE.

HE COMES FROM A FOOTBALLING FAMILY AND HAS HIS SIGHTS SET ON THE FUTURE. COACH STEPHEN AZZOPARDI SPOKE TO RAY ABDILLA, WHO TOLD HIM ABOUT HIS DREAM TO BECOME COACH OF VALLETTA AND TO BE INVOLVED WITHIN THE NATIONAL TEAM.

When did you get involved in the game?
At a very young age. In fact I come from a football family. My grandfather was the late Manwel Calleja, President of Valletta FC for many years and the person who was responsible for local clubs’ participation in European competitions. His son, my Uncle Tony Calleja, also played successfully for Valletta and even represented Malta in a match versus Austria.
From my father’s side I am the nephew of the late Michael Azzopardi (Il-Faldu), one of the best ever central defenders to grace Maltese football who played for Valletta and Sliema mainly before the Second World War, and who also represented the Malta XI on many occasions.

Did you ever play for any club?
Yes, I played youth football with Melita, my first club, and Third Division soccer with San Gwann (one season) and Balzan Youths (two seasons). Strangely enough, my involvement with Balzan as a coach was in no way a consequence of having played with the Club.

Who was the biggest influence on your career?
Three persons. My grandfather Manuel Calleja inspired me even though he died when I was still very young, my father always supported me without ever interfering in my career and Pippo Psaila who was my coach as a player and the Ass. Technical Director and National Team manager when I was a staff coach with the Malta Football Association. His achievements have showed all Maltese Coaches that reaching the top is a dream, which can be fulfilled.

Why Balzan Youths?
After eight years as a Staff Coach with Malta F.A. it was time for a change. I received a number of offers in youth football, but then Balzan offered me the job of Technical Director responsible for coaching the First and the Under 21 Reserves teams together with overall responsibility for the youth set-up. It did not take long to say yes since the Committee members were ready for the change in the whole set-up. More then that, that is what they were after.Tell me something about the courses you did at Coverciano ...
Last summer, with the help of Dr Joe Mifsud, the President of the Malta Football Association, I participated in the UEFA A-Licence Course organised at the most important coaching school in the world Coverciano in Italy. Thankfully, I managed to obtain this qualification which is recognised throughout Europe.
Up to what level you can coach in a particular country depends on the regulations of the relative Football Association. For example, in Malta an A-Licence qualifies you to coach Premier League Football. In Italy, I am entitled to be an Assistant Coach in the Serie A and B and Head Coach in the Serie C1 and C2, semi-professional and amateur football, youth, school and women’s football.

Were there any other clubs who wanted your services?
Yes, there were some contacts. However, to date I am very happy at Balzan.
Did you ever think that you were going to win two successive promotions?
Three years ago no. The objectives were of a longer duration. In these last two seasons we aimed for a top five position. When things started to look good, then yes we aimed for promotion.

What is the difference between Division 3 and Division 2 football?
It is only natural that when you move up to a higher division this represents a bigger challenge. These are three factors, which make the Second Division more difficult then the Third.
1) Better quality players and coaches.
2) Many more matches, twenty-two league games in all, four more then even the First Division.
3) The fact that up to the end all clubs are practically still competitive and fighting for points, either to achieve promotion or to avoid relegation.

Being a very small club how do you think Balzan will fare in Division 1?
This is the first time in the Club’s history. We are optimistic that with this enterprising committee, the already competitive squad and the promising youngsters coming up from the Nursery we can do well. I would here like to mention the notable achievement this year where the Club won the Under 14, Under 16, Under 18 and Reserves League Sections. In the Under 16 and Reserves Leagues this was done without loosing a single match.

By the way, are you staying with Balzan next season?
I have not yet signed for the new season. However, it is most probable that next year will by my fourth season as the coach of Balzan Youths FC.

Do you think that you need new players to survive?
Yes, but only a few. I have faith in the current squad, which is young, with an average age of twenty-four and which still has the potential to improve.

What about the players you have on loan. Will they stay for another year?
It they are happy to do so and their clubs agree, most of them can still offer more to Balzan.

Besides Mqabba and Zebbug who were in your opinion the best sides in Division 2?
First of all I wish to congratulate Mqabba for the Championship and Zebbug Rangers for winning the Second/Third Division knockout competition. Regarding other good sides, my favourites were Melita who had a bad start to the season but did well as they went along. The win against them in the second round was the most difficult and the turning point in our aspirations to achieve promotion.Balzan did also well in the youth sector.

What is the secret behind all this success. Is it Stephen Azzopardi?
Team work. We revamped our youth committee. We introduced co-ordination with this administrative unit and the Senior Club’s Committee. We aim for the future and do not work short-term. The coaches work very hard and follow my guidelines in a very professional way. We are teaching the boys to love their club. I hope to have given my contribution.

What difference do you think there is between playing at the Centenary and now playing at Hamrun and Kordin?
Playing on grass will be more enjoyable but harder for the players. We will have to cater for this in our training. Otherwise, I do not foresee as a big change as when we left Pace Grasso for the Centenary Stadium.

Were there any promising players in Division 2? Promising to the extent that they can play top level football in the near future?
Yes there were, even at my club. Unfortunately, Premier League Clubs and the MFA coaches do little scouting.

Who in your view was the best Division 2 player this season?
Anthony Brignone did very well for Mqabba. Martin Pace, the Zebbug goalkeeper was excellent. A couple of my players deserve to be in the reckoning.

Would you like to coach a Premier League side?
Yes, when the time is ripe.

What are your dreams for the future?
To coach Valletta one day because of family ties and to be involved in the National Team.