Tony Bajada Memorial International Football Tournament

After missing the last two years due to the COVID pandemic restrictions Our Academy will once again be organising Tony Bajada Memorial during the Easter Holidays. The Tournament will be organised for Categories born 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014. The Event will be held at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun. The categories for this year’s edition are as follows:

• Boys and Girls born after 1 January 2014 A 

• Boys and Girls born after 1 January 2014 B 

• played on 5 vs 5 basis (4+1)

• each team can register up to 10 players

• participation fee: FREE

• Boys and Girls born after 1 January 2012 A 

• Boys and Girls born after 1 January 2012 B

• played on 5 vs 5 basis (6+1)

• each team can register up to 12 players

• participation fee: FREE

• Boys and Girls born after 1 January 2010 A 

• Boys and Girls born after 1 January 2010 B 

• played on 9 vs 9 basis (8+1)

• each team can register up to 14 players

• participation fee: FREE

• Boys and Girls born after 1 January 2008 – (Thursday 14th to Tuesday 19th April 2022)

• played on 11 vs 11 

• each team can register up to 20 players

(No Matches on Good Friday and Easter Sunday)

For this year's Edition there the participation fee is FREE for categories 2014, 2012 and 2010. Still Categories participating are urged to donate €3 per child which will later be donated to Puttinu Cares Malta.

Participation in Category 2008 (Under 14) there is no participation fee and matches will be controlled by official referees and their assistants.

Each participating player will be presented with a memento at the end of the festival and an overall Fair Play Award will be presented. This football festival will be organised with the permission of the Grassroots Department within the Inħobb il-Futbol Foundation.

Interested nurseries are to inform the Hamrun Academy by email to hamrunyfa@gmail.com or by SMS on 79006586 or 79478302 by not later than Thursday 31st March 2022.

Day 7 - 8 April 2015: Under 14 semi finals on last day....

Day 6 - 7 April 2015: 2005 & 2003 Category conclude their Festival, Under 14 last group stage matches....

Day 5 - 6 April 2015: Only Under 14 in action today... 

Day 4 - 4 April 2015: 2009, 2005 & 2003 Categories in action today...

Day 3 - 2 April 2015: 2009 & 2007 Categories back in action 

Day 2 - 1 April 2015: 2009 & 2007 Categories come in action

Day 1 - 31 March 2015: 2015 Tony Bajada Memorial kicks off today

Following a thrilling final versus Paola Hibs, Hamrun Spartans won the Under 14 category tournament and thus re-claim the prestigious Tony Bajada Memorial Challenge Cup. This was the thirteenth edition of the Tony Bajada Memorial, as always held at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, and the third time the Hamrun Nursery won the Under 14 Challenge Cup.

In the final, Hamrun twice came back from behind to lead 3-2 up to a few minutes from the end. However, Paola Hibs levelled matters towards the end of the match to force a penalty shoot-out. Hamrun converted five out of six penalties whilst Paola Hibs converted four. Hamrun captain Sean Mizzi was presented with the trophy by Hamrun Mayor Mr Vince Bonello, to the joy of team-mates, parents and supporters. Youth FA representative Mr Joe Mallia attended the final.

US Triestina participated in this year's edition of the Under 14 category, however they did not make it through to the semi-final stage. Another Italian team - Junior Calcio Lavello - participated in the Under 10 category whereas Gozitan side Kercem participated in the Under 6 category.

Mgarr United won the Overall Fair Play Award whereas Paola Hibs won the Under 14 Top Scoring Team Award. No winners were declared in the other three categories (Under 12, Under 10 and Under 6) in accordance with Youth FA guidelines. Mementos and products from the tournament sponsors Gatorade were instead presented to all participants.

The Hamrun Nursery is taking advantage of its international contacts to give an opportunity to its young talents to play against foreign opposition. In fact, as part of the same commemorations in remembrance of its founder Tony Bajada, the Hamrun Under 17 side played against British side Burnham Ramblers and drew 1-1. Italian side ASD Helios will round up the Memorial by playing friendly matches against the Hamrun Under 14s in May.

Hamrun Spartans won this year's edition of the International Tony Bajada Memorial under 14 Category. In a most thrilling and exciting final against Paola Hibs, the penalties had to decide the result! Normal time ended 3-3 with Hamrun converting 5 out of six, with Paola Hibs converting 4 penalties.

Hamrun Spartans and Paola H. will be contesting this year's edition of the International Tony Bajada Memorial Under 14 Final. Paola Hibs won 2-0 against Pieta H. in the first semi-final. Hamrun won the second semi final 2-1 against Mosta. Final will kick off at 4:00pm. Before the final, at 2:30pm, Mosta and Pieta H. will play for the 3rd & 4th place.

The Group Stage came to an end this afternoon with all teams playing their third game. The started with Pieta H. playing  against San Gwann. Pieta won 3-0. The second match Mosta played a solid game against foreign side US Triestina winning 1-0. Paola H. topped Group A when they beat Sliema W. 4-2 and securing a place in tomorrow's first semi final as Group A winners. Hamrun placed second in Group A when they won 1-0 against St. Andrews and will be playing in the second semi final tomorrow. The Surprise of the day came in the fifth match when San Gwann beat US Triestina 2-1 who deserved the win after showing the better football. The last match of the day saw Mosta and Pieta H. sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw. with this result, Mosta won Group B while Pieta H. placed second to play in tomorrow's semi finals against Hamrun Spartans and Paola Hibs respectively. Other matches for tomorrow will be 7th & 8th place between Sliema W. and US Triestina, 5th & 6th place between St. Andrews and San Gwann. The losers of the semi finals will play for the 3rd & 4th place. The final for the Tony Bajada Memorial Under 14 Challenge Cup will be played tomorrow at 4:00pm.

The 2002 and 2004 category events came to an end on the second day events at the Tony Bajada Memorial. The Lavello Calcio team members, coaches and officials were greeted in the committee room following their final match and were presented with a memento and team photos. It was a pleasure having this team at this year's event. The 2008 festival was also played in the morning.

In the afternoon, the Under 14 (2000) category kicked off with two games: Hamrun - Sliema and Paola Hibs - St Andrews. Both matches ended 1-0 with wins for Hamrun and Paola Hibs. The Hamrun goal was scored through an Isaak Koroma header.

The Tony Bajada Memorial kicked off this morning with the 2002 category and 2008 category festivals. In the afternoon, the first games of the 2004 category festival were played. The Hamrun officials welcomed Italian side Lavello officials, whose team is participating in the latter category.

Unione Triestina will once again participate in the popular Under 14 Easter tournament held at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in honour of the late Hamrun Nursery founder Tony Bajada. Another Italian side, Lavello Calcio, will also participate in the Under 10 category.

As part of the same commemorations, British side Burnham Ramblers will play a friendly match against the Hamrun Under 17 side whereas Italian side ASD Helios will round up the Memorial by playing friendly matches against the Hamrun Under 14s in May.

The nephew of Tony Bajada will be playing with Gozitan side Kercem, who will be participating in the Under 6 category.

In a press conference organised at the Hamrun Nursery premises, the fixtures for the Under 14 tournament were drawn by lot. Hamrun Nursery secretary Noel Debattista said that the top local nurseries will be participating in this annual event, now in its thirteenth edition. He augured the teams and the boys to take the most out of this experience, especially against the foreign teams. The slogan chosen for the tournament is ...JUST PLAY, HAVE FUN, ENJOY THE GAME...

Following the draws, Debattista thanked the Hamrun Local Council for organising the tournament and Farsons for sponsoring the event through their brand Gatorade.

Click here for pictures of the press conference 

The final between Mosta and Paola Hibs was a tense and balanced match ending 1-1. Hibs claimed the prestigious Tony Bajada Challenge Cup following a penalty shoot-out. Athlone won the Fair Play Award whilst Hibs won the top-scoring team award. 

Hamrun mayor Mr Vince Bonello presented the Trophy to the winners after the match. 

In the match for 5th and 6th place, Sliema won against Hamrun 2-0.

Athlone Saints finished 7th place after beating Birkirkara 2-1. Athlone came from behind after Birkirkara went ahead in the first half. Sliema W. and Hamrun Spartans will play for the 5th and 6th place in the next game on schedule.

San Gwann beat Valletta 4-1 to place 9th ahead of Valletta in 10th place. 7th and 8th place tussle between Athlone Saints and Birkirkara just kicked off. 

Paola Hibs will be crossing swords against Mosta in this afternoon's Final after their semi final against Athone Scholars had to be decided on the penalty shoot out. The Irish team were trailing 0-2 five minutes from time but two dramatic goals in two minutes leveled matters. The Final kicks off at 4:30pm.

The placing game for 9th and 10th place kicked kicked of between Valletta and San Gwann. 

Mosta will contest their second consecutive Final of the Tournament after beating Pieta H. 2-1. In a balanced encounter Mosta opened a 2-0 lead before Pieta got one back. The second Semi Final between Athlone Scholars and Paola Hibs is underway,.

The first of two semi finals between Pieta H. and Mosta kicked off today Wednesday 3 April 2013 at 9:00am. HT (0-0)

The Group stage of the 1999 Category Tournament came to an end earlier this afternoon. Pieta Hotspurs and Paola Hibs placed first and second respectively in Group A to contest the semi finals tomorrow morning. Pieta H. will face Group B runners up Mosta while Paola H. will play Irish side Athlone Scholars. These semi finals will be followed by three placing fixtures as follows:

9th & 10th place: Valletta vs San Gwann

7th & 8th Place: Athone Saints vs Birkirkara

5th & 6th Place: Sliema W. vs Hamrun Sp.

The Tournament  will come to an end after the final which will be contested between the winners of the semi finals. Presentation of gifts and awards will be presented by the Hamrun Mayor after the final.

The 2001 category came to an end with the last two matches. Pieta played Melita in the first game of the day while St. Andrews faced Hamrun Spartans.

Paola Hibs beat Sliema W. 3-1 to share first place in group A with Pieta H. Paola will now have to wait a big match for tomorrow between Pieta H and Sliema. The last game was between Pieta H and Athlone Saints with Pieta winning 3-0.

Happy Easter to all participants and their families! Today Easter Sunday is a rest day for Tony Bajada Memorial Tournament. Games will resume tomorrow morning with 2001 Category.

Pieta H. made it two out of two when they won against Valletta 6-0. Pieta found no difficulty to beat Valletta who from their side they were losing their third defeat. 

In the last match of the day, Mosta, playing their first game of the Tournament, scored a heavy defeat at the expense of Birkirkara in a 6-1 win. The tournament will have a short break tomorrow Easter Sunday and will resume on Monday with five matches, two from the 2001 Category and three from the 1999 Category.

Paola Hibs won with a solitary goal against Athlone Saints in a balanced match.  Athlone Saints were unlucky to finish the game empty handed as they gave their heart throughout.  The fourth game in this category kicks off with Valletta vs Pieta H. 

A goal in added minutes gave Athlone Scholars a dramatic win over hosts Hamrun Spartans to secure another important three points.  In a balanced encounter both teams showed they were well prepared.  The third game in this category kicks off with Athlone Saints facing Paola Hibs.

The 1999 category kicks off for the day with San Gwann facing Birkirkara.  Both teams are in search for their first win of this tournament since they both lost their first respective games.  

Four matches from the 2001 Category were played this morning. Paola H. faced host Hamrun Spartans in the first game with Floriana and Pieta H. playing the second game. The third game saw Paola H. playing their second game of the day facing Melita.  The matches of 2001 came to an end with the last match being Hamrun S. vs Floriana.  

Three matches from the 1999 Category were played. In the first game Hamrun had the better of San Gwann as they won 6-0. The second game Pieta H. faced Paola H. In a more balanced match the result could have went on both ends but it was Pieta who emerged winners with a 2-1 win. The third and final game of the day saw Valletta against Sliema W.

The day opened with four games from the 2001 Category. Floriana vs Melita, Paola H. vs St.Andrews, Hamrun Spartans vs Pieta H. and St. Andrews vs Melita. In the afternoon the first games of the 1999 Category were played. 

In the first game Paola Hibs won against Valletta 7-3. The next game featured the Irish teams of ADSL Athlone where the Saints lost to Sliema W. 4-0 while the Scholars had the better of Birkikara with a 3-1.

Tomorrow Friday three more games will be played in the morning with Hamrun Spartans vs San Gwann, Pieta H. vs Paola Hibs, and Valletta vs Sliema W. 

The first day ended up with the third Category of the event for those born in 2001. Although still at the age of 12 years they played on the full size pitch of the Victor Tedesco Stadium. In the first game St. Andrews played against Floriana, The second game Melita face host Hamrun Spartans. The third game Pieta H. faced Paola Hibs. This Category will continue this morning with four matches.

This afternoon ADSL Athlone arrived in Malta in preparation for today's first games. A group of over 50 persons including players, officials and parents were settled in their Hotel who immediately after they had their first training session in Pembroke. ADSL Athlone will have their first games today at 3:00pm and 4:15pm, ADSL Athlone Saints and ADSL Athlone Scholars. there will be live updates during the event.

Four teams from the 2007 Category played each other in fun games were the children enjoyed the morning playing three games each.

Five teams took part in the 2003 Category. Although no scores or winners are declared in this Category, one could notice the very good level and talent of these boys giving those present an enjoyable morning.

The 2013 International edition of Tony Bajada Memorial kicked off yesterday (27 March 2013) at the Victor Tedseco Stadium with three categories, 2007, 2003 and 2001. In this year's edition 14 Nurseries are taking part, including last year's winners ADSL Athlone of Ireland. Athlone will be competing with two teams, Scholars and Saints.