Birzebbuga Aquatic & Sports Club

This page is intended to help you keep yourself up to date with the latest club news and to invite you to send us your news regarding anything to do with the club.

On the 27th August 2009, our club made a very small step towards the building of a new waterpolo team, when it fielded its new Under 14 team for its first competitive match aginst Exiles.   The game, which ended 13-10 against our team, was enjoyed by both sides.  The new Buga players were all for continuing on their road to become Waterpolo super stars and encouraged their coach - Mark Farrugia - to ensure that next year the club enlists the team in the ASA Under 14 league.

With such determination the club cannot surely refuse and we shall do our best to ensure that next year our club will re-enter competitive waterpolo with our Buga boys.  The club will have to consider the training arrangements for the team,which will be surely be tough and exciting for them.

To Mark and the team we all say--- KEEP IT UP....and we look forward to supporting you in your new life.   The search for a sponsor for these courageous youths is now on.

See Photos

On 26^th August 2009, Dr. Chris Said MP, Parliamentary Secretary attached to the office of the Prime Minister, visited our club site to view the current state and discuss with our local MP( and club legal adviser)  Dr. Franco Debono and our President, potential assistance that can be rendered by the central authorities to the rehabilitation of our facilities.

This visit follows written representations made by our committee directly to the Prime Minister seeking assistance to have these premises rehabilitated in line with plans already approved by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA).

Dr. Said has already met our club president, secretary and coach at his office in Castile on Monday 17^th August, 2009, wherein our president presented our expectations and those of the local residents for the return of our sports facilities, which have all been sacrificed for the development of the Malta Freeport.

Our Committee wishes to thank Dr. Said MP for his interest in our locality and trust that his efforts will bear fruit soon.  Our thanks also go to Dr. Franco Debono MP for his untiring efforts for the return of all sports facilities to the locality.

Birzebbuga vs Neptunes

Well Birzebbuga has taken on the mighty Neptunes and once again were victorious... talk about David and Goliath..  The game was great to watch and a most nail biting experience with both teams edging each other from the lead.  Neptunes fielded some of their most reknowned veterans including many PLAYER OF THE YEAR in their time.  However our team's determination, under the expert guidance of coach Simon Cutajar, won the day.

At one minute to final wistle the score stood at 8-8 which suited Neptunes fine since with a draw they would win the tournament.  Birzebbuga needed a win to lead the tables and take the trophy.  But one minute was enough for our players who launched a determined attach on the Neptunes goal post and after having three consecutive shots hit the post, a confusion amongst the Neptunes defense left one of our players alone infront of goal posts and with an excellent pass to him by a colleauge he made minced meat of the opposition.

The match was watched by a sizeable crowd of supporters...one of which was on a visit from Australia and jumped at the opportunity of watching her heroes once again.  All present enjoyed ourselves and the good food and drinks at Sirens also helped to make this a memorable evening.

The ASA decided that the abandoned match against Barracudas has to be replayed again on Tuesday 25th August at Sirens at 21.00hrs.  I hope to see many more of our supporters there so we can celebrate this third consecutive tournanment win together.

Check out photos...

Vetererans Tournament

For the third consecutive year our club is this year particpating in the Veterans Tournament organised by Sirens Waterpolo Club.  For the record, the first tournament in 2007 was organised by the Barracuda Club , also of St. Paul's Bay.  The previous two tournaments were both won by Birzebbuga.

After having played  3 games this year our team is once again leading the classification and will be playing its final, and very crucial match on Wednesday 19th August at the Sirens Waterpolo Pitch at 21.00 hrs against Neptunes. This is anticipated to be a very hard and crucial match so all the supporters are encouraged to attend and lend their support. 

After the match, as usual, we normally have loads of fun by sitting down to drinks or even a meal at the Siren's Club house where very good food is on offer at very reasonable prices.  Overall it should be a nice evening of sports and entertainment.

Herewith the results of the games so far:

23rd July  -   Birzebbuga vs San Giljan.......10-5

6th August -  Birzebbuga vs Barracudas ..... 7-2 - to be replayed on Tuesday 25th August at 21.00hrs at Sirens  Pitch

13th August- Birzebbuga vs Sirens..............13-13

19th August - Birzebbuga vs Neptunes.......9-8

We hope to see you all at Sirens Pitch on the 19th and bring your friends and relatives......it should be an evening to remember.

Under -14  Players -  needed

At its meeting held on 9th May 2009, the new committee took the decision to get an Under 14 team together in 2009 with the aim to start participating in competitive waterpolo matches as from 2010.

During the current year the Team Manger - Charles Borg and the Team Coach - Mark Farrugia will be training the new players with the aim of bringing them up to the required standard.  An inter-league between the club's players as well as friendly matches with other teams will also be organised to give the new players the much  needed experience.

Parents wishing to enrole their children in the new team are requested to contact the club as soon as possible. 

Committee for 2009

After the election of members to the Committee at the Annual General Meeting held on 26th April, the first commitee meeting was held on Saturday 9th May, 2009. 

The main item on the Agenda was the duties to be assigned to the commitee members and the following were assigned by unanimous decision:

President ..............................................Farrugia George

Vice President.......................................Tabone Alfio

Secretary...............................................Esposito Joseph

Treasurer...............................................Farrugia Mark

Team Manager.......................................Borg Charles

Technical Director..................................Cutajar Simon

Assistant Treasurer.................................Bonnici Mcyntire James

Another important decision taken was to get an Under 14 team together with the intention of entering same to the national competition as from 2010.  For 2009 the aim is to get the team organised and bring it up to competitive standard. This important milestone should see the club participating in competitive matches once again after the lapse of 9 years .   Team Manager .. Mr. Charles Borg will be in overall charge of the team whilst Mark Farrugia will be team coach.

Annual General Meeting - 2009

The Annual General Meeting of the Club was held on Sunday, 26^th April, 2009

at the hall of the Banda

Filarmonika San Pietru –Triq Birzebbuga -Birzebbuga  from 10.00am to 12.00am

with the following Agenda:

• Reading of minutes of the last AGM
• Secretary’s Report
• President’s Report
• Financial Report
• Appointment of Auditor
• Amendments to statute
• Election of new committee
• Other matters

The following are the new members elected to the Club's committee:

1. Bonnici Mcyntire James
2. Borg Charles
3. Cutajar Simon
4. Esposito Joseph
5. Farrugia George
6. Farrugia Mark
7. Tabone Alfio

Mr. Nicholas Falzon BA Hons (Acc) Fia was elected as the Club's auditor for another year by the members.

Members and supporters of the club will be pleased to learn that on 21st January 2009 the Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs started the demolition of the club house which works was completed within 3 days.

This was realised with the help of many and whom we wish to publicly thank, including:

• Hon  Minister Mr. George Pullicino
• Private Secretary at Ministry - Mr. Oliver Lautier
• Ministry Architect - Mr. Joseph Zerafa Boffa
• Local MP - Dr.Franco Debono. 

This was the just the beginning of the first step in the long road towards the realisation of our dream i.e. the rebuilding of the club house and the pool in line with the plans which the club had submitted to Mepa in 2003 and which were  approved in 2004.

The club, together with lobbiests within the Government itself and local MP Dr. Franco Debono are working hard to continue with the rest of the demolition works with the hope of having this first step ready, hopefully, before the 2009 summer season is with us.  In view of the noise and heavy vehicles involved, it will make sense if this demolition work continues during the next few months.

Once the demolition is complete, the next phase would be the building of the pool itself.  This will involve the filling of the current pool and the building of a smaller fresh water pool above the sea water level.  On the side of the new pool the plans involve the building of a water reservoir into which rain water from the club area can be collected.  This water will be used to replenish water lost through evaporation during the hot summer months.  This will ensure that the club will be as environmentally friendly as possible and also reduce our fresh water costs to the minimum.

Go to photos of demolition works 

As everyone can see the club is entering into a very challenging phase in its history.  The next few years shall be ones of greater commitment and hard work by all and also a time of great satisfaction and pride. 

This raises our need for even more dedicated committee members.  Anyone who believes s/he has talents to contribute for the benefit of the club and the local community and can spare a few hours every week, please contact us immediately.  Our contact details can be found in the Contact section of this web site.

The next Annual General Meeting will be held in March 2009 ( exact date yet to be announced) and during this meeting the new committee for the year 2009/10 will be appointed by the members.  So if you are interested, please contact us before this date.

The next summer school for children between the ages of 9 and 16 for the year 2009 will be held between July and September.  This summer school will be open to children of both sexes.

Parents wishes to enrole their children can download the application form and send it to the club at the earliest opportunity.

In view of safety issues the number of children enroled in the school will, like in past years, be restricted. Registration will be on a first come basis. 

                                                                   See Photos