New soccer agency pledges to help players fulfil their potential

Four men with a sound background in different areas of football have pooled their resources to set up Star Soccer Agency.

Jon Mottershead, Julian Holland, Terry Wateridge and Franco Vella are the architects behind the creation of Star Soccer Agency whose declared objective is "to assist top local players achieve their potential either locally or abroad".

The agency's initial efforts to promote Maltese talent overseas have already produced tangible results.

Andrè Schembri, the highly-rated Hibernians midfielder, last month had a trial with Aston Villa after contacts between Star Soccer Agency and the English Premier League club.

A statement by Star Soccer Agency also said that youngsters Benji Cassar Bernard, Michael Nolan and James Paris will take part in a training camp at Reading where they will practise under the watchful eyes of Wateridge and Nicky Hammond.

These three promising players have already spent a week in England with the Malta-based Football Frenzy Soccer School, set up in 2000 by Mottershead who obtained his coaching badge from the English FA.

"Our association with Football Frenzy (www.footballfrenzy.com) and the Terry Wateridge Football Academy (www.futuresoccerstars.com) guarantees a sound platform for the continued progress of players forming part of the Star Soccer Agency," the statement added.

After working for seven years at AFC Bournemouth, first as scout and then as the club's Head of Youth and Community, Wateridge now oversees his own academy which has centres in Bournemouth, Southampton and Weymouth, Dorset.

Wateridge also worked for Brighton and Southampton. His centres are independent of any club in England, allowing him to place players at any professional club depending on their individual ability level.

Holland, a former Floriana FC player, is a FIFA licensed agent and has a vast experience in football administration. At present, he is also responsible for sport activities at the Corradino Correctional Facilities.

Vella also comes from the football administration sector but has gained experience in successfully promoting Malta-based players in Bulgaria and other eastern European countries.

For more information on Star Soccer Agency visit www.starsocceragency.com.