A few weeks after Malta Basketball’s report that former Depiro captain Andrew Aquilina was leaving the Mtarfa club to join Starlites, the Malta champions made this news official with an announcement on Saturday.
“We are pleased to announce that Andrew Aquilina has joined the Starlites community for the upcoming season!” A Starlites statement read.
“Andrew has been playing in the Maltese Senior league since a very young age and his experience and leadership will give a great boost to our VisitMalta Starlites Naxxar Men squad this year.”
Earlier in July, Starlites coach Paul Ferrante had hinted that the club had found a local guard to help cover for the loss of captain Alec Felice Pace and fellow guard Matt Attard with sources telling Malta Basketball it was to be Aquilina.
The veteran got his release from Depiro over the summer, leaving the club after over a combined decade.
Now he joins Starlites at a crucial time when the Naxxar-based club prepares for its debut in FIBA Europe Cup qualifiers in September.
Speaking to the club’s socials, Aquilina said he wanted to contribute to the club’s ongoing development.
“I’m happy to be a part of this amazing bunch of individuals who are renowned for their dedication to quality and great work ethic,” Aquilina told the club’s socials.
“Incorporating some of my experience into the squad will allow me to hopefully contribute to the club’s ongoing development of its rich recent history. I think that by working together, we can contend for every title this season and accomplish something exceptional.”
Said takes over assistant coach role
Meanwhile, Starlites announced further updates, promoting youth coach Omar Said to the Under-19 and Division 2 men’s teams headcoach while giving him a spot beside senior headcoach Ferrante as his assistant in the first division and Under-23s.
“Former U16 Boys Head Coach Omar Said will take on the new role of Assistant Coach on our Senior Men’s team and U23 Men’s team,” a club statement read.
“In addition, he will also be Head Coach for the U19 Men and 2nd Division Men squads. We believe his vast expertise in the local and international scenes will prove fruitful in the development of our young athletes as well as our VisitMalta Starlites Naxxar Senior squad for the upcoming season.”
In a comment to the club’s socials, Said, who was in charge of Malta’s Under-16 boys’ team at this summer’s FIBA Eurobasket Division C, said he felt fortunate to be handed this opportunity.
“This is a great opportunity with the EuroCup coming up for Starlites Basketball club and I am very fortunate and grateful to be given the opportunity to be part of the coaching staff and assist a very respected coach like Paul (Ferrante),” he said.
“I am sure that I will learn a lot and grow in my very young senior coaching career. Over and above this I hope that I will be able to give the players my experience from my past playing career on and off the court. Already in the first week of training, I am enjoying my time with the players and hopefully help them prepare well for the interesting upcoming season.”
