Such summer sports programs are an excellent opportunity for youths to improve the level of their game, and for younger participants to be introduced to new skills and games

This summer the focus of the Ghajnsielem Redcoats was on the youngest members of the Club.

There were three programs that were intended for children 4 to 7 years old. KICK START (football), BASE HITS (baseball), and FIRST HOOPS (basketball) were designed as a progression of the ACTIVE START – YOUNG MULTISPORT ATHLETES program that the Club launched in October of 2014. Most of the KICK START and the BASE HITS SESSIONS were held at the Ghajnsielem Primary School. This made the sessions more accessible for, those parents, and their children, who reside in Ghajnsielem. For this reason the sessions were very well attended. The FIRST HOOPS sessions were held at the Gozo Sports Complex in Victoria. Apart from being physically active and having fun, the children became more familiar with the sport skills required for each of these three sports respectively.

In addition to these three programs, the Redcoats held two BASEBALL FUNDAMENTALS sessions per week also at the Ghajnsielem Primary School. This program was intended for boys and girls aged 8 to 11 years old. Most of the children who attended these sessions were from the Ghajnsielem Primary School and were practicing this sport at club level for the first time. This group were introduced to baseball during the sessions that the Redcoats conducted at the same school, during school hours between April and May. Coach Steve Ellis helped out during these sessions. There was a marked improvement of the fundamental baseball skills of those who attended.

There was also a BASKEBALL FUNDAMENTALS program for boys and girls 8 to 15 years old. These sessions were held at the Gozo Sports Complex twice a week. Redcoats technical director, Bruno di Pietrantonio, conducted these sessions with the assistance of coach Cynthia Saliba. The attendance for these sessions was also very high. The objective of raising the confidence level of the players, most of whom started playing basketball earlier this year, was achieved.

Such summer sports programs are an excellent opportunity for youths to improve the level of the game, and for younger participants to be introduced to new skills and games. There are similar programs with a wider scope in the pipeline for the summer of 2016. In the meantime, the Redcoats are busy making preparations for the start of their fourth season. Details of the schedules are expected to be out by mid-September.