MALTA BEACH SOCCER – SMART CITY Proposition of Land Lease for Beach Soccer Stadium

Neil Marlow - Sec. Gen MBSA

Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 2

The Game ............................................................................................................................................... 3

Potential International and National Events .......................................................................................... 3

BSWW Competitions .......................................................................................................................... 3

European Pro Beach Soccer League ............................................................................................... 3

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifications ................................................................................. 4

Malta Beach Soccer National Tournament ........................................................................................ 4

One-off Beach Soccer Events ............................................................................................................. 5

Beach Sports ...................................................................................................................................... 5

Strategic Objectives ............................................................................................................................... 6

Strategic Intent ...................................................................................................................................... 7

Beach Soccer as a Business ................................................................................................................ 7

Beach Soccer as a Sport ..................................................................................................................... 7

Analysis .................................................................................................................................................. 8

SWOT Analysis – Beach Soccer Venue at Smart City ......................................................................... 8

Logistical Analysis ............................................................................................................................... 8

Beach Soccer Pitch ................................................................................................................................. 9

Technical Details and Specifications .................................................................................................. 9

Pitch surface ................................................................................................................................... 9

Pitch markings ................................................................................................................................ 9

Dimensions ................................................................................................................................... 10

Penalty Area ................................................................................................................................. 11

Flags ............................................................................................................................................. 11

Imaginary Corner Arc ................................................................................................................... 11

Goals ............................................................................................................................................ 11

Substitution Zone ......................................................................................................................... 12

Safety ........................................................................................................................................... 13

Technical Area .............................................................................................................................. 13

Executive Summary

Beach Soccer has now become a very popular sport

all-around the world due to its fun nature, as well as

low infrastructure costs. Beach Soccer has started in

1992 by a company called Beach Soccer World wide

(BSWW). BSWW is responsible for the development

of the sports and the organisation of today’s major

tournaments. From the first tournament in 1993

organized at Miami Beach, the sport has experienced

exponential growth, with its recently organized

tournaments being shown in around 170 countries all over the world. In recent years,

there were 4 particular events which turned out to be the most popular. These are

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, Mundialito (one for clubs and one for international) as

well as the Intercontinental Cup. FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and the European

Beach Soccer League (EPBSL) have attracted over 15 teams in each competition.

Such growth has attracted the interest of major companies such as, McDonalds,

Coca­Cola and Mastercard, who in turn have stepped up their involvement and are

now sponsors of the EPBSL.

In Malta, the game of beach soccer finds its

roots at the millennium, the year in which the

first tournament was organised. Since then

there has been little growth both in promotion

as well as in the technical aspect of the sport.

This has mainly been due to the fact that there are no training facilities present, as

well as there was no organisation to support the development of the game. Hence, in

2013, the Malta Beach Soccer Association was founded under the helm of the Malta

Football Association. Since its foundation, the MBSA has managed to form a national

team which has competed in one International tournament at the Mediterranean

Beach Games 2015. This was a big step for this sport in Malta, since now Malta is

officially recognised as part of BSWW. In June 2016, the Malta Beach Soccer National

Championship was successfully held in Pretty Bay, Birzebbugia.

The Game

Beach Soccer is a dynamic sport that needs agility, stamina, fitness, technique, high

speed and excitement. To be played, one needs a high level of fitness that comes

from running continuously on a surface that is less stable than turf. It brings better

condition in the player's legs and glutes. On sand, players attempt the ‘glory shots’

rarely seen in the grass game like soccer kicks, flying headers and bicycle kicks.

The pitch measures 37 by 28 metres. Players may shoot from practically anywhere

and goalkeepers are on their toes all the time. Describing the game fully, a shot

attempt is made every 30 seconds with a

goal being scored on average, once every 3

to 4 minutes. In an average game, about 11

goals are scored. The sand can be

unpredictable for level passing and most

players choose to set and pass the ball in the

air. One expects to see a lot of chest traps,

shoulder pops, headers and flick passes.

Potential International and National Events

BSWW Competitions

European Pro Beach Soccer League

The Euro Beach Soccer League brings the top national teams from the entire

continent to compete head to head in a thrilling summer-long league format. After

four stages, the best teams fight for the continental throne in the EBSL Super final.

Malta has the potential to host

this tournament due to its strong

relations with both FIFA and

BSWW. Given a well-structured

facility is available, this

tournament can generate an

array of business activities.

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifications

Held every two years, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifications bring 30

teams from the European Confederation, to play out for the 4 or 5 available spots in

the World Cup.

Should Beach Soccer continue to grow in popularity as well as establish itself in Malta,

we would be in a position to host such an event. The FIFA BSWC Qualifications would

be the perfect opportunity for us to expand our horizons as well as bring in a

substantial amount of people (incl. fans, players and staff) to Malta.

Malta Beach Soccer National Tournament Having started at the year 2000, the Malta

Beach Soccer Tournament has always

garnered interest amongst local and foreign

beach soccer enthusiasts. A fixed, well-

equipped beach soccer venue, would allow

the association to organise this tournament on

a yearly basis, as well as giving it a structured

format (similar to Football and Futsal league).

This tournament has seen a good number of

teams participate (up to 32 teams in a

particular year), which would consist of around

12-14 players each. Given the magnitude of

such an event, a huge commercial interest would always be present from various top

local companies. Such an event has always generated commercial activity in the

vicinities of the pitch.

One-off Beach Soccer Events Apart from the yearly Beach Soccer league, one-off beach soccer events are planned

to be held. Such events would consist of games between Masters (players over 40),

local celebrities as well as games for a noble cause (charity).

Malta's Masters Team participating in the Mundialito

Also, various activities with participation from

football and futsal nurseries can be held, in

order to introduce beach soccer to the youth

from early stages. Events like these have

already been successfully held in 2011, when

Italian Beach Soccer legend Pasquali visited

Malta.

Beach Sports Apart from Beach Soccer, a number of other Beach Sports events can be held. Other

Beach Sports include Beach Basketball, Beach Rugby, Beach Volley as well as Beach

Handball. The latter has also generated a lot of interest recently, especially because

of the successful participation in the Beach Mediterranean Games (along with Beach

Soccer).

Strategic Objectives

To further promote and develop the game in Malta amongst youths

To organise an official league every year, held in an attractive, fixed premises

To have a National Team competing in Division B of the European

Beach Soccer League as well as competing in the qualifiers for the World Cup.

Have a long-term development plan and attract business interest, in

order to have the capital needed to implement our ideas.

Strategic Objectives

Obtain Premises of

International Standard

Differentiate ourselves

from other sports

Compete in International Tournaments

Attract Foreign and

Local Interest

Maintain a steady

growth pace

Business - Oriented

Competitivness and growth

Sports-Oriented

Strategic Intent

Beach Soccer as a Business

Have a well organised set-up of both premises and league

Attract local and foreign interest by differentiating ourselves from other sports

Be one of the major key players in Malta’s sports tourism industry

Collaborate with major companies

Beach Soccer as a Sport

Have an agreement with MFA and clubs, where a player of club ‘X’ should be

allowed to play for the National team by his club.

Have a youth training program so that children from a young age can start to

develop their skills through the game of Beach Soccer

Organise technical meetings, as well as bring foreign experienced coaches to teach us the game of beach soccer.

Analysis

SWOT Analysis – Beach Soccer Venue at Smart City

Strengths Opportunities

Beautiful views from all around the venue Host international tournaments in Malta

Locals are fanatic about football More advertising and brand visibility

would help to further promote our

country as well as Smart City

Modern, well-equipped location with adequate

parking spaces

Good connectivity (Wi-Fi Availability)

Great Overall Cleanliness Condition

Good access to public transportation

Infiltrate the niche market of the beach

soccer community which consists of a

huge number of fans, players and

technical staff from all-over the globe

Potential for further growth of the beach

soccer venue to include more facilities

Weaknesses Threats

May be considered as far, to people from the

north area

Seasonality fluctuations in terms of visitors

Lack of ‘average-priced’ snack bars

Logistical Analysis

Malta has always been considered to be in a very ideal geographic position

due to the fact that it is in the centre of the Mediterranean. Being an island

surrounded by beautiful beaches, Malta is an ideal destination for beach soccer

to be played.

Maltese economy highly depends on tourism, and therefore beach soccer

tournaments may serve as a good platform to bring in more tourists, which in

turn generate more business in the island.

Beach Soccer Pitch

Technical Details and Specifications

(Reference - Beach Soccer Laws of the Game 2015/16)

Pitch surface

The surface is composed of sand, and is level and free of pebbles, shells and any

other objects which could injure the players. For international competitions, the sand

must be fine and at least 40cm deep. It must be sifted until suitable for play, must not

be rough or contain pebbles or any other dangerous elements; however, it must not

be so fine as to cause dust that sticks to the skin.

Pitch markings

The pitch must be rectangular and marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas

of which they are boundaries. The two longer boundary lines are called touch lines.

The two shorter boundary lines are called goal lines, although there is no line between

the goalposts.

The field of play is divided into two halves by an imaginary halfway line marked by two

red flags located outside the pitch. The imaginary central point of this imaginary line

is the exact position for the kick-off and certain free kicks. Marks must be drawn on

the goal line and touch line, 5m from each imaginary corner arc, to indicate the

distance by which defending players must retreat when a corner kick is being taken.

Marks must be drawn on the touch line closest to the teams’ benches, 2.5m from the

imaginary halfway line and to the right and left, to indicate the maximum distance that

must be observed during substitutions. Marks must be drawn on the touch line

opposite the teams’ benches, 5m to the right and left of the imaginary halfway line, to

indicate the minimum distance that must be observed at kick-offs. Marks must be

drawn on each touch line, level with the imaginary penalty area lines, to help the

referees identify the penalty areas.

Dimensions

The touch line must be longer than the goal line. All lines are 10cm wide and are made of coloured tape that contrasts with the sand

(preferably blue). The tape must be flexible and hard-wearing but not harm the

players’ feet. These lines must be firmly anchored to the sand at each corner and in

the middle of each touch line with special clamps, and to the goals with rubber rings

attached to the posts.

Length (touch line): min. 35m - max. 37m

Width (goal line): min. 26m - max. 28m

Penalty Area

The penalty area is the area on the pitch between the goal line and an imaginary

parallel line at a distance of 9m from the goal line, and marked by two yellow flags

placed next to each touch line outside the pitch. Within each penalty area, there is an

imaginary penalty mark 9m from the midpoint of the line between the goalposts and

equidistant to them.

Flags

The flag posts must be made of unbreakable and pliable plastic and be at least 1.5m

high. A total of ten flags are used as follows:

• One red flag in each corner of the pitch

• One red flag at each end of the imaginary halfway line, securely anchored at a

distance of between 1m and 1.5m outside the touch lines

• One yellow flag at each end of the imaginary lines marking the penalty area, securely

anchored at a distance of between 1m and 1.5m outside the touch lines

Imaginary Corner Arc

There will be an imaginary quarter circle inside the pitch, with a radius of 1m from

each corner.

Goals

A goal is placed on the centre of each goal line. A goal consists of two upright posts

equidistant from the corners and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The

goalposts and crossbar must be made of wood, metal or another approved material.

They must be round or elliptical in shape and must not be dangerous to players.

The distance (inside measurement) between the posts is 5.5m and the distance from

the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.2m. The posts and crossbar have

the same diameter of 10cm and are of only one colour (preferably fluorescent yellow).

The goal lines are the same width as the goalposts and the crossbar. The nets must

be made of hemp, jute or nylon or another approved material, and are attached to the

back of the goalposts and the crossbar with a suitable means of support. They must

not interfere with or endanger the goalkeeper or the players. For safety reasons, the

bottom of each post has a ledge that is anchored beneath the sand. Two horizontal

bars measuring 1.5m attached to the back of each post are joined by a bar or chain

at the back covered with plastic, with hooks and knots at each end, and placed on the

surface of the sand. This bar (or chain) is also anchored in the sand.

Substitution Zone

The substitution zone is the area on the touch line in front of the timekeeper’s table.

• The substitution zone is 5m in length, extending 2.5m to each side of the

intersection between the imaginary halfway line and the touch line

• The teams’ benches are placed beyond the touch line and the substitution zone

• The area in front of the timekeeper’s table, 2.5m to either side of the imaginary

halfway line, is kept clear

Safety

The pitch is surrounded by a safety zone perimeter measuring 1.5m to 2m wide.

Technical Area

The technical area is a special zone for technical staff and substitutes.

While the size and position of technical areas may differ between facilities, the

following notes are issued for general guidance:

• The technical area extends 1m on either side of the designated seated area and

extends forward up to a distance of 1m from the touch line

• It is recommended that markings are used to define this area