Swieqi united fc Projects
Grant Agreement No.: 101184617
Project Partners: Swieqi United Football Club – Malta (COO) and AP ORLEN – Poland (BEN)
UNITED PLAY is an Erasmus+ funded project aimed at promoting cultural exchange, inclusivity, and holistic development for young athletes through football. By bridging the gap between Malta and Poland, the project seeks to empower youths aged 11-14 by fostering unity, life skills, and cross-cultural understanding. Through a series of structured training sessions, cultural exchange programmes, and tournaments, UNITED PLAY leverages the power of sport to build resilience, teamwork, and social cohesion among participants. Our mission is to create a sustainable framework for youth development in football that not only focuses on athletic skills but also addresses the cognitive, psychological, and social growth of young players. Through collaboration, learning, and engagement, UNITED PLAY aspires to make a lasting impact on communities in Malta and Poland, demonstrating how sports can transcend borders and bring people together.
UNITED PLAY offers a comprehensive set of activities designed to enhance both the technical skills and personal development of young athletes. Key activities include
The UNITED PLAY project was officially launched on 3 February 2025 with an online kick-off meeting attended by five representatives from Swieqi United FC (SUFC) and AP ORLEN Gdańsk and a hybrid meeting held on 14 March 2025 in Gdansk Poland. The meetings established a structured coordination framework, clear responsibilities, and laid solid foundations for the timely implementation of the project’s activities.
The UNITED PLAY Intensive Coach Training Programme was held at the Polsat Plus Arena in Gdańsk, Poland from 14–17 March 2025. It was successfully attended by 18 participants, including coaches, technical staff, and project personnel. The four-day intensive coach training programme was delivered to 18 participants (13 coaches, 3 managerial staff, 2 trainers) from Malta and Poland. The training covered six key areas: physical and psychological development, nutritional education, match-day operations, communication skills, and injury prevention/RED-S, with both theoretical and practical sessions led by experts including Dr Nigel Camilleri, Arianne Attard, Jasmine Borg, Jasper de Muijnck, and Demi Magrin.
Post-course evaluation (100% response rate) demonstrated excellent outcomes: all participants found the sessions engaging, acquired new knowledge, and reported increased confidence in applying new techniques and methodologies, while 94% rated the trainers as competent and engaging. Specific improvements were noted in physical training, mental resilience, nutrition, communication, and injury prevention. The diverse participant profile (72% coaches, 17% managerial staff, 11% fitness and rehabilitation specialists) ensured effective knowledge transfer across all levels of youth football development.
The first Virtual Cultural Exchange Session of Phase 2: Integration took place on 26 April 2025, involving 35 participants aged 11 to 14, together with coaches from Malta and Poland. The online session was designed to promote intercultural understanding, self-expression, and team spirit. The activity helped to build friendships across borders and strengthen a sense of European identity. The digital format also supported inclusivity and sustainability, allowing participation for those who might otherwise face logistical challenges.
The second virtual cultural exchange session of the UNITED PLAY project took place on 25 October 2025, involving 28 participants, including girls aged 11–14 and coaches from Malta and Poland. The session was designed to foster intercultural understanding, teamwork, and the building of friendships across borders. The digital format also ensured inclusivity, strengthened a sense of European identity, and laid the groundwork for future in-person exchanges.
The UNITED PLAY Football Training Camp took place from 1 to 3 November 2025 in Gdańsk, Poland, hosted by AP Orlen, with the participation of 37 young footballers (aged 11–14) from SUFC Junior (Malta) and AP Orlen Gdańsk (Poland), alongside their respective coaches and technical staff. The programme combined team-building activities to foster trust, communication and collaboration, technical training sessions at the Lechia Tenis Klub where the players applied previously developed warm-up techniques and athletic preparation, and a friendly match between SUFC Junior and AP Orlen U13 Girls, promoting fair play and methodological exchange between the coaches. Cultural discovery elements were also included, with visits to the Hevelianum Science Centre, the Museum of the Second World War, and Gdańsk Stadium. The camp successfully fostered lasting intercultural bonds, strengthened social and collaborative skills, increased awareness of a shared European identity, encouraged the exchange of coaching best practices, and promoted girls’ football as a tool for inclusion, empowerment and personal development, with full attention to sustainability, gender equality and accessibility.
On 13 November 2025, the final event of the UNITED PLAY project took place at the Excelsior Hotel in Floriana, organised by Swieqi United FC in collaboration with AP ORLEN Gdańsk and co-funded by Erasmus+. The event brought together over 50 participants, including players, coaches, officials, and European stakeholders. It celebrated the project’s achievements, featuring testimonials from young participants and speeches from ministers, club leaders, and the European Commissioner for Sport. The day concluded with networking, media interviews, and a reception, further strengthening friendship and collaboration between Malta and Poland.
Link to Recording: https://fb.watch/DFh-fdPhmb/
The UNITED PLAY project concluded the final phase of its four-day event programme in Malta from 11 to 14 November 2025. The programme combined football training, cultural activities, and intercultural exchanges. The 7-a-side tournament was held at the Swieqi United Football Ground and was also open to other Maltese clubs such as Hibernians FC White, Hibernians FC Black, and St. George’s FC besides the project partners Swieqi United FC (Malta) and AP ORLEN Gdańsk (Poland). A total of 74 players aged 11–14, as well as coaches, and technical staff, celebrating sporting skills and the friendships developed among the participants. The winners of the United Play 7-a-side tournament were Hibernians FC White.
UNITED PLAY is a collaborative initiative funded by the European Union, bringing together two key partners: Swieqi United & AP Orlen Gdansk
Together, these partners leverage their expertise and resources to deliver a high-impact project that fosters unity, cultural exchange, and skill development for young athletes.
Role: Project Coordinator
Responsibilities: Overall project management, coordination of events in Malta, and communication and dissemination activities.
Role: Project Partner
Responsibilities: Organisation of the training camp in Poland, logistical support, and coordination of cultural exchange activities.
Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
