Interview with Mannie Galea

by Jonathan Spiteri - 14th October 2012

In this week's interview we will introduce the chairman of the Youth Nursery, Mannie Galea.

Who is Mannie Galea?

Mannie Galea, 51 years of age, is a Perit by profession, married with 4 children. He was born and still lives in Birkirkara. He runs his private practice and specialises in restoration works, design of sport facilities and MEPA relations.

How come you took up this new challenge? Were you ever involved in football before?

I have been the Perit for Birkirkara F.C. for the past 5 years, designing the club's extension and MEPA application above the McDonald's site; redesigning the existing Supporter's Club/BKR Radio Centre; and obtaining MEPA Permits for the Infetti Sports Complex. My relation with the Club officials resulted in them nominating me as Chairman of the Birkirkara F.C. Youth Nursery.

My involvement in sports is life-long since my school days where I was awarded a distinction through my involvement as an athlete. Later on I was involved in cycling where I even organised a number of tours. Football was always at heart and I still managed to participate in friendly matches up to recent times.

Since this was something new for you, what kind of approach did you take in order to get the feel of how things work in a football nursery?

My very first concern was to learn how the Nursery organisation really works. A great deal of support was given by the committee members who welcomed me with all their heart. They shared their knowledge and eagerly answered all my questions and concerns. Lengthy discussions followed with decisions taken within the interest of the nursery and the Club. A number of meetings were held with individuals who are related to the running of the Infetti grounds together with Birkirkara F.C. officials.

My approach was an open-ended one where the direction forward was only taken upon consultation with all involved after consideration of any eventual relations.

What were the things you were pleased to discover and which others made you feel they needed to be improved?

I was very pleased to discover new friends and colleagues. Furthermore I was impressed how the Nursery system is professionally run both at local and national levels. The most important decision was the appointment of a Head Coach. Marco Glumac was contacted with discussions over contract terms which were concluded within 2 days of my appointment as Chairman. This was a matter of urgency in view of the then oncoming Summer School and football season. The appointment of various other coaches followed upon an intensive exercise which is still ongoing in view of the few remaining vacancies. Five meetings were carried out with parents of children of different age groups. A detailed relation over the Nursery's vision for the future was presented with parents then giving their own suggestions and questions which were then subjected to discussion.

The synchronisation of the Infetti administration was dealt with both urgency and sensitivity. The appointment of one Ground's Manager for all the complex was a necessity for the Nursery to really move forward also in view of the challenging financial constraints. Mr. Tommy Camilleri (who is in charge of the Girl's team) was unanimously appointed. I would like to give my sincere congratulations to this recent appointment which shall prove to be very much strategic in view of our future ambitions.

Being an architect, are there any projects, both short and long term, on your mind with regards to the development of the Nursery's premises?

MEPA has only recently approved the sanctioning of the existing facilities at Infetti. The existing facilities are neither sufficient nor attractive in line with today's modern standards. Two alternative replacements have already been designed. One being on a long-term basis including reconstruction over a number of floors with another short-term alternative relating to a simple structure which neither involves load bearing walls nor concrete roofs. A concept of a bar and restaurant together with gym facilities has been planned within the existing built-up area at Infetti, facing both grounds. The eventual approval by Birkirkara F.C. for the latter option would imply a new MEPA permit submission. If all goes well as planned, the nursery should boast facilities to be no less than others already existing locally.

From the technical point of view, how do you rate the nursery overall? Are there any areas you think need major investments?

Although the U-15 and U-17 teams have won all their competitive matches with convincing results, there is still room for improvement. Both teams are motivated to win and achieve good results for the Birkirkara badge which they wear. I personally rate our achievements as moderate in view of our opponents. The major areas of investments are future training in ball control, coordination, teamwork, discipline and power on the field. We have discussed this with our coaches who very well know our strengths, defects and remedial solutions. I believe that we are in time to find solutions in view of us being at only the start of the season whilst also obtaining maximum points from the matches to date.

What do you think are the most important aspects that a football nursery has to fulfil?

I might not be in total agreement with all, but my personal goal is to involve the most number of children able to play. Others might argue that only results are to be the optimal goals. The nursery has engaged two coaches for each age group in order to secure full participation and attention of all children on the field. We are trying to create a sense of belonging to the Nursery/Club through a sense of discipline and dedication. Results so far indicate that we are moving in the right direction.

For any nursery to compete at National level, it must be organised to maintain a professional level of administrative communication. I believe that we have achieved the requested level which should augur well for the future.

How do you describe the relationship between the nursery committee and the parent club?

Continuous ongoing discussions and exchange of mail confirms a strong relationship bond between the nursery and the parent club which is always there to give all support as may be requested from time to time. Birkirkara F.C. views the Nursery as its major investment for the future since it prefers to have first team players emerging from within. It is important to state that half of the first team players have all emerged from our nursery. The technical team is composed of Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit and also includes Marco Glumac, the Nursery's head coach who are coordinating very well together.

Member representatives of Birkirkara F.C. committee regularly attend nursery meetings whilst nursery officials in turn attend Birkirkara F.C. meetings whenever the nursery is on the agenda.

Where do you see our nursery come 5 years time?

Only time can tell. Yes, we are full of ideas with a lot of energy to spare. Our satisfaction lies within the results achieved. Nevertheless, only seeing the Infetti grounds full of players and enthusiasm is more than enough to fulfil our satisfaction. Technically speaking I believe that within the next 5 years, we should reap the fruit of our work, rendering the nursery to be an established force in local football, whilst also serving as a base of supply of players for the first team.

Within the next 5 years, the Nursery facilities should have been improved in a way that the Infetti grounds are established as a focal meeting place for both sportsmen and the general public throughout the whole day.

Is there something you would like to tell the people out there reading this interview, be them nursery players, parents and Birkirkara supporters in general?

I would definitely like to thank all for the trust that I have been awarded in this new challenge and promise that I shall do my utmost to achieve results. I have been rather surprised by the extensive support which Birkirkara F.C. has. Many people have told me that they were informed of my appointment through the official Birkirkara F.C. website which confirms the very level of support.

I must confess that I am rather more than disappointed that our Club does not have adequate sports facilities to even train on an 11-a-side pitch, rendering the first team to train at Imġarr. I envy the facilities available whenever we play in other grounds owned by other local competitive teams. I believe that Birkirkara should be no less than other localities and should boast modern sport facilities at least similar, if not better than those already found locally. I believe that the construction of a new Birkirkara F.C. football ground should be a priority if we really want to move forward and compete.

comments powered by Disqus