Buttigieg back in office

At the Malta Rugby Football Union (MRFU) 2005 general meeting, held recently, Kevin Buttigieg was elected to the presidency for the coming year after Adrian Wirth resigned having served the 12 months he had promised the organisation.

For various years Buttigieg was the driving force behind the flourishing rugby scene and he looked forward to taking up the reins again.

He assured delegates that he would always do his best to help the sport grow and felt confident the national team would rise to whatever challenges awaited them.

He was sure that after the team had drawn over 3,000 supporters to each of the last two internationals at the Hibs Ground, even more spectators would come to see them play Germany in their next match.

Buttigieg thanked all sponsors for their support, particularly the main associates of the MRFU, Farsons, Barclays and Vodafone.

A vote of thanks to Wirth for his work during the year was passed by the meeting after he had addressed the members.

There were various other interesting developments in the AGM.

As a tribute to the fast-growing women's rugby, the statute adopted some changes.

Now, the council would include a woman's representative.

Reports of the year's activities were heard by delegates who were also given details of the first "200 Club" to raise funds.

In the absence of National Director of Rugby, Damien Neill, team manager Mike Beerman took the meeting through a brief summary of an ambitious five-year development plan Neill has prepared.

Next season, will see a five-team league with a possible three other clubs in formation. There will also be two women's teams and some 100 youngsters registering for youth competitions.

Emphasis is to be placed on youth and mini-rugby development with a comprehensive coaching structure.

A new office has been established at Marsa which will be the centre of all activities and administration.

Malta A Team, composed of locally-based players, will be going to UK for two matches in October.

The next round of the 2007 World Cup is the next big hurdle, starting with Germany at home on October 29. Germany are 26 places higher than Malta in the rankings and present the biggest challenge ever.

This match is followed by an away fixture against Serbia-Montenegro on November 5, an opportunity for the national team to take revenge for the defeat earlier this year.

All this activity places even further emphasis on the necessity to enjoy proper pitch availability and the increasing need for more rugby pitches, especially as Malta achieves ever higher international exposure.