In March 2024, Mandy Caruana and Mandy Masu represented Malta FA FSR Team at the Play to Participate, Participate to Play (P2P) International Training in Cagliari, Italy. The Training for Trainers programme brought together youth workers, trainers, and sports leaders from across Europe to explore ways of strengthening youth participation and leadership in sport.
Throughout the week, participants exchanged best practices, explored innovative leadership models, and gained practical tools to support young people in sports organisations. The training also provided valuable opportunities for international networking and collaboration, highlighting the role of sport in promoting inclusion, personal development, and active citizenship.
Blind (Team) Football: A Practical Exercise in Leadership and Communication
As part of the final practical assignment, participants designed and facilitated Blind (Team) Football, an activity aimed at developing communication, leadership, teamwork, and trust. Divided into teams, players had to complete a series of passes before guiding a blindfolded captain—the only player allowed to score—towards the goal using verbal instructions alone.
The activity was highly engaging and highlighted the importance of clear communication, teamwork, and trust, with the fastest team completing the challenge in just 1 minute and 10 seconds.
Key Learning Outcomes
One of the biggest challenges was helping the blindfolded captain receive and control the ball. This required teammates to give clear and simple instructions, showing the importance of trust, leadership, and good communication.
The training provided valuable ideas, practical tools, and new ways to engage young people in sport. It also highlighted the importance of working together with organisations from different countries to share experiences and learn from one another.
Most importantly, the programme showed that sport is about more than competition. It can bring people together, promote inclusion, build confidence, and develop leadership skills.
The knowledge gained during this training will help support future initiatives that encourage greater youth participation and empower young people through sports in Malta.