>> Interview with Kenneth Scicluna
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It’s 18
years since the Luqa Youth Nursery was founded; and I am proud to say I
was one of the first group of youngsters to join. Prior to that,
football for children was not organised and we could only play in
makeshift grounds such as streets, playing field, bocci pitch and youth
centre. The idea of wearing a complete football kit, playing on a real
football pitch (gravel), and being trained by proper coaches was a dream
come true for most of the boys aged between 8 and 14 years at the time. |
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Kenneth Scicluna |
I was lucky enough to be part of what I would call, with
all due respect, to the Golden era of the nursery. Times when a large amount
of children would fill up each and every corner of the barracks training
ground (and that’s before half of it became an extension of the runway),
when we used to be given milk from a good number of dedicated mothers midway
through our sessions, when coaching staff included some of the most sought
after personnel, etc. Times when we were regarded as one of the top
nurseries in Malta, competing with the likes of Floriana, Sliema and Qormi
at that time.
Following my nursery years, it was then time for, what at least seemed at
that time, the ‘big stage’. At 15 I started playing for the 1st
team and so I did for the following 3 seasons. Though we did not have a very
competitive team at that time, the last game I played for Luqa FC was a 2nd&3rd
division knock-out final which we unfortunately lost in extra-time. That was
also the 1st and only game the club has played in the National
Stadium at Ta’ Qali. It also turned out to be my and another fellow
team-mate, Nathanael Falzon, farewell game as the season after we joined 1st
division side St.Patrick’s FC. There I spent an eventful period; during the
first year we were promoted to the Premier Division, only to experience
relegation the year after. During this time I was selected by the U/21 Nat.
Team, with whom I spent 4 years full of memorable experiences. It was a very
bright patch for the team during which we recorded important results,
including a record 5-1 win against Macedonia. Following St.Patrick’s, I
joined Birkirkara. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as in my first
season there we won the first league in the club’s history. That was season
1999-2000, and since then I have worn the stripes shirt, with the exception
of a short stint at Qormi FC. My 7 years at Birkirkara proved to be
relatively successful, where I won all competitions at local level,
including the championship twice.
The dream of a National Team call-up appeared to be slipping away; but at the relatively late age of 26 my childhood dream materialised when I made my debut in a 1-1 draw against Northern Ireland. A number of memorable games followed, including the 1-1 draw against Croatia, but a major highlight of my career so far came on the 11th October, 2006 when we beat Hungary 2-1. It doesn’t get much better than winning a competitive game for your country, though the 2 leagues and the 3 FA Trophies won with Birkirkara do not fall short of that feeling.
I would like to close this profile with a two-fold message: one for the children, one for their carers. For the former; enjoy your football, and though dreaming is healthy and only normal at your age, prove yourself at your local nursery before including other club names in your vocabulary. Do well for Luqa FC nursery, and if you deserve to play for a ‘bigger’ club at a later stage, that opportunity will come your way. To the carers, football and school studies go hand in hand. The few hours a week spent on football training will only help your children to get away for a while from the ever increasing school pressures. Studies have shown that pupils who are active in sports activities and are physically healthy, are more likely to do well at school. Also, Malta made its way to the top of the table when it comes to obese children around the world. Football, along with other lifestyle regimes, is one thing which can help a child grow into a healthier adult.
I wish the Luqa YN the best of luck for the future.
Kenneth Scicluna