Second Edition of “Live Your Goals” Festival
Rooney, Shearer make pleas amid sex-abuse scandal
The Malta Football Association Technical Centre’s Grassroots & Women’s Department, in collaboration with SportMalta and the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education (DQSE), organised the second FIFA Live Your Goals Festival in Malta at the Centenary Stadium, as part of their mission to develop and nurture grassroots’ level in women’s football.
The event fully supported by FIFA was attended by 180 girls from Zebbug Primary School (St. Ignatius College), Msida Primary (St. Theresa College) and San Atnon School. The enthusiastic girls were guided through Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer, England captains present and past, have urged soccer players to come forward with allegations of sexual abuse amid the growing scandal in the British game.
Rooney joined with other current captains of various English national teams in a video on safeguarding published for the Football Association and children’s charity NSPCC.
Rooney says, “If you’re a young boy or girl and you’re upset, hurt or scared with the way someone behaves with you, please let a fun coaching event by MFA coaches, members of the Malta national women’s football team including FIFA Live Your Goals Ambassador Charlene Zammit.
Nutritionist and Physiotherapist Johann Zarb, a representative of Dar Kenn Ghal Sahhtek, a residential and semi residential facility aimed at providing a holistic treatment to patients with eating disorders and weight behavioural problems, addressed the girls though an interactive talk about healthy eating and exercise. Dar Kenn Ghal Sahhtek also supplied the schools with nutrition information booklets. someone you trust know now.”
Shearer has urged “every club, from the grassroots up, must continue to look at what they’re doing to prevent abuse happening to any kids today and in the future.”
Former professionals have gone public over the last two weeks about the ordeals they went through as youngsters in youth football. It has led to about 350 people reporting incidents of child sexual abuse at football clubs to 18 British police forces investigating the scandal.