РЛ Мальта

MALTA RUGBY LEAGUE - PRESS RELEASE

DATE: 21 May, 2015 

In readiness for their summer international programme, which commences with a match against Belgium at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds, on 21^st June, Malta has announced the creation of an elite training squad. 

National coach Anthony Micallef has gathered together nine of the best domestic players who will also undertake social responsibility commitments and receive specialist training from foreign based coaches. 

“There’s a lot of energy in the younger guys and this approach takes it up a level from what everyone is used to,” said one of the group, current international Malcolm Attard. “Having a structured approach for a select group of players puts everyone on the same page and gives us a lot more direction,” 

Birkirkara Eagles’ 19-year-old winger Jean-Pierre Zarb, who debuted against Greece last year and was in the Malta team that defeated Czech Republic, is eagerly awaiting the chance to play at Headingley. “Everyone is looking forward to it, we’re expecting the biggest crowd we’ve ever played in front of and the players from Malta are trying to be in the best condition we've ever been in for a summer international,” he said. 

Malta are also looking to appoint a high performance assistant coach, with their schedule also seeing them host Ireland before their World Cup qualifying campaign, which kicks off on 26^th September in Valencia against Spain. Applications close at 5pm, Friday 31^st July 2015.

Malta elite national squad:

Malcolm Attard (Stompers RL), Christian Briffa (Malta Origin RL), Julian Caruana (Stompers RL), Dragan Cerketa (Stompers RL), Peter Debono (Malta Origin RL), Darren Edmunds (Team Pit RL), Sam Keep (Malta Origin RL), Joe Paolella (Malta Origin RL), Jean-Pierre Zarb (Eagles RL) 

Contact:                               Anthony Micallef (MRL)
                                                00-356-79812699

www.malteserugbyleague.com
PHIL CAPLAN   RLEF MEDIA OFFICER