A group of 26 players from Paola Volleyball Club departed for Messina, Sicily on Monday to take part in a six-day training camp organised by Italian Serie A2 side Akademia Sant’Anna. This initiative forms part of an ongoing collaboration agreement between the Sicilian club and its Maltese counterpart.
The training sessions in Messina are being led by Matteo Pilieci, the camp’s technical director, who has a proven track record having won Italian national youth championships at Under-16, Under-17, and Under-18 levels with various clubs. He is being assisted by Giuseppe Bosetti, a highly experienced youth coach, as well as Michela Ciarrocchi, a professional player with Roma Volleyball Club in Italy’s Serie A1, along with players and coaches from Akademia Sant’Anna.
The camp is open to athletes from Akademia, other Sicilian clubs, and Paola Volleyball Club, with sessions including both indoor volleyball and beach volleyball training.
The Maltese contingent is led by Paola Volleyball Club President Dr Kenneth Vella, General Secretary Alexia Brincau, and coaches Carmen Gauci and Antonio Borg.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr Vella highlighted that the experience is specifically tailored for players in the Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19 categories. He stated that the camp reflects the club’s long-term vision of providing international exposure to its athletes and underscores Paola Volleyball Club’s commitment to youth development, on par with its focus on senior players.
During the visit, Dr Vella will also hold meetings with officials from Akademia Sant’Anna to discuss the future of the collaboration between the two clubs. He is also expected to meet with Messina’s mayor, Hon. Federico Basile, in a bid to strengthen the relationship between the Sicilian city and Malta.
