More than 50 coaches from at least 11 sports took part in the International Coaching Development Seminar, held at the SportMalta Kirkop Sports Complex on Thursday 12 November 2026. Organised by the Malta Sport Coaches Association (MSCA) in collaboration with ICCE–Sport Coaching Europe and ICOACHKIDS, and hosted by SportMalta, the seminar connected international perspectives with the everyday realities of coaching in Malta.

The seminar formed part of a two-day visit to Malta by ICCE–Sport Coaching Europe on 11 and 12 November. The programme began at MCAST, which hosted the transnational meeting of BIRDS, an Erasmus+ Sport project coordinated by Badminton Netherlands, and welcomed the ICOACHGIRLS+ consortium led by Sport Ireland. Both meetings gave partners the opportunity to exchange knowledge and advance their shared work.

At the seminar, Prof. Sergio Lara-Bercial, Professor of Sport Coaching and Co-founder of ICOACHKIDS, led a workshop on the current state of youth sport. Coaches shared their experiences and explored how their practice can help children enjoy sport and stay involved.

Two parallel demonstrations involving children then translated the discussion into practice. Prof. Lara-Bercial and Dr Gary Hodgson explored the integration of fundamental movement skills into sport sessions, while Dr Megan Hill and Vicki Guy demonstrated the ICOACHGIRLS approach to co-constructing sessions with young participants.

The Minister for Education and Sport, Hon. Dr Byron Camilleri, visited the seminar and addressed the coaches. At its close, Dr Camilleri and Ms Rose Marie Mercieca, SportMalta’s Director of Corporate Services, received ICOACHKIDS Awards.

The seminar preceded the first Annual General Assembly and formal Board election of the MSCA, an important milestone for Malta’s organised coaching community.

SportMalta thanks the MSCA, ICCE–Sport Coaching Europe, ICOACHKIDS, MCAST and all the participating coaches for their contribution.

Skola Primarja Gużè Muscat Azzopardi, San Bastjan, Ħal Qormi, participated in SportMalta School Sports Day with activities focused on active mobility, physical activity, and the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits.

The initiative aimed to encourage students to recognise the benefits of active and sustainable ways of travelling while discovering how movement can be incorporated into their everyday lives. Through activities that combined learning and enjoyment, pupils were encouraged to appreciate the importance of staying active and making healthier choices.

The event also highlighted the importance of road safety and responsible mobility, reinforcing the message that walking, cycling and other forms of active travel can contribute to personal wellbeing and a healthier environment.

Throughout the activities, students demonstrated enthusiasm, teamwork, and active participation, creating a positive atmosphere that encouraged movement and cooperation. The initiative provided an opportunity to connect physical activity with practical lessons about healthy living and sustainable mobility.

The school’s participation reflects the objectives of SportMalta Schools Sports Day, which encourages schools across Malta and Gozo to celebrate sport and promote physical activity within the educational environment. It also supports the wider objectives of the European Week of Sport in encouraging people, particularly children and young people, to adopt more active lifestyles.

On Monday, 19th October 2026, Qawra Primary School enthusiastically participated in SportMalta School Sports Day 2026, joining schools across Malta and Gozo in celebrating the importance of physical activity, sport and healthy lifestyles.

Despite the rainy weather conditions, the school demonstrated great adaptability by moving all planned activities indoors and transforming the school hall into an exciting sports arena, ensuring that students could still enjoy a memorable day dedicated to movement and sport.

Approximately 130 Year 3 students, representing all six Year 3 classes, participated in the event, which lasted for one hour and fifteen minutes. The school’s Physical Education teachers prepared a variety of engaging activities, including circuit stations and fun games, designed to develop and reinforce fundamental movement skills that are essential to children’s physical education and overall development.

Throughout the activities, students were encouraged to participate actively, challenge themselves and enjoy different forms of movement in a fun and supportive environment. The event also provided an excellent opportunity to promote teamwork, cooperation, and sportsmanship, highlighting the importance of working together and respecting others through sport.

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Qawra Primary School’s participation in SportMalta School Sports Day 2026 once again highlighted how physical activity can bring students together, encourage positive relationships and create enjoyable learning experiences, regardless of the circumstances.

Prof. Anton Tabone B’Bugia Primary School enthusiastically participated in SportMalta School Sports Day 2026, joining schools across Malta and Gozo in promoting physical activity, participation and the importance of an active lifestyle among students.

The activities were organised over the span of a week, allowing students to enjoy a variety of sporting experiences and benefit from the expertise of the school’s three Physical Education teachers. This approach provided pupils with opportunities to explore different aspects of physical activity through engaging and age-appropriate activities.

Approximately 600 students took part in the initiative, experiencing different fundamental movement skills, including running, throwing, and catching, balancing and performing rolls. These activities helped pupils develop their physical abilities, coordination and confidence while encouraging them to enjoy movement in a positive and supportive environment.

As the school year is still in its early stages, particular emphasis was also placed on fun games and activities aimed at strengthening social skills and encouraging positive interaction among students. Through these games, pupils were given opportunities to develop teamwork, learn to take turns, demonstrate fair play, and appreciate the importance of cooperation.

Through its participation in SportMalta Schools Sports Day 2026, Prof. Anton Tabone B’Bugia Primary School reaffirmed its commitment to making physical activity an enjoyable and valuable part of school life, encouraging students to develop fundamental movement skills while fostering teamwork, respect and a lifelong appreciation for sport and physical activity.

Qrendi Primary School celebrated the SportMalta School Sports Day 2026 with a fun-filled day of physical activities, bringing together pupils from Year 1 to Year 6 in a vibrant atmosphere of energy, excitement, and enthusiasm.

Through a variety of engaging activities, pupils had the opportunity to develop their motor skills, coordination, balance, and physical fitness while experiencing the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle.

Beyond physical development, the event highlighted the importance of teamwork, cooperation, resilience, self-confidence, and sportsmanship. It encouraged pupils to support one another, celebrate each other’s efforts and achievements, and enjoy being physically active together.

The celebration also reinforced the values of participation, inclusion, and positive relationships, demonstrating that sport is not only about physical ability but also about having fun, working together and creating memorable experiences.

On Monday, 19th October 2026, Fgura Primary A, within St Thomas More College, celebrated the Sport Malta School Sports Day with an exciting programme of sporting activities involving all pupils from Years 1 to 3.

The event was honoured by the presence of the Minister for Education and Sports, the Hon. Dr Byron Camilleri, accompanied by the College Principal, Mr George Psaila. Their attendance highlighted the importance of encouraging physical activity, sportsmanship, and healthy lifestyles from an early age.

Throughout the event, each year group participated in approximately one hour of physical activity organised by SportMalta’s Sports Promotion Unit, rotating through five different sports stations. The activities were designed to encourage active participation, teamwork, and the development of essential sporting skills. Class educators also accompanied and supervised the pupils throughout the activities, helping to ensure a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for everyone.

The pupils enthusiastically took part in the various sporting challenges, which offered more than just an opportunity to improve physical fitness. The activities also encouraged the development of important social and cognitive skills, including cooperation, communication, problem-solving, concentration, and teamwork.

In addition to the activities for Years 1 to 3, a separate Sports Day was organised for the school’s Kindergarten pupils, giving the youngest learners the opportunity to enjoy age-appropriate physical activities in a fun and engaging environment.

The SportMalta School Sports Day 2026 was a wonderful celebration of physical activity, teamwork, inclusion and learning through play, reinforcing the importance of playing sports and movement an enjoyable part of every child’s everyday life.

Minister Byron Camilleri announces new initiatives to strengthen sports associations, athlete wellbeing and investment in sports infrastructure.

The establishment of the Malta Sport Hub, a new programme supporting athletes’ mental wellbeing, ten days of leave for elite athletes representing Malta, and a pilot project introducing structured physical education from kindergarten are among the key initiatives announced by the Minister for Education and Sport, Byron Camilleri, during a press conference on Budget 2027, under the theme Malta Miegħek.

These measures form part of a broader plan to make sport more accessible, build a stronger sporting ecosystem, strengthen sports associations, develop more talent and continue investing in
modern facilities.

“Malta Miegħek means standing alongside everyone who wishes to make sport part of their lives, the associations and volunteers who work with passion, and the athletes who aspire to represent our country. We want to invest not only in facilities but also in the people who bring Maltese sport to life. Their aspirations are also ours, and we will continue working together to turn them into concrete opportunities,” said Minister Camilleri.

Through the Malta Sport Hub, sports associations without permanent headquarters will be provided with dedicated premises from which to operate. The complex will also accommodate organisations working with athletes and coaches, offering meeting spaces, areas for sporting activities and services provided by SportMalta, while strengthening collaboration across the sector.

Another priority is the development of a sporting culture from the earliest years of education. A pilot project in three schools across three colleges will introduce structured physical education activities at kindergarten level, helping children develop their motor skills, coordination and confidence. The aim is to strengthen physical literacy and encourage children to remain active throughout their lives, building on the existing pilot project that helps young children learn to swim.

Support for athletes will also be strengthened through the CARE Scheme, which will provide financial assistance for psychological, counselling and wellbeing services to athletes experiencing long-term injuries or transitioning out of their sporting careers. This initiative recognises the importance of psychological and emotional recovery alongside physical rehabilitation.

At the same time, the measure providing ten days of leave for elite athletes representing Malta in international competitions will also extend to technical and administrative personnel.

Investment in sports infrastructure will continue across various disciplines.

In basketball, the transfer of land to the Malta Basketball Association is being finalised to enable the construction of a new pavilion in Ta’ Qali, while the air-conditioning project in the existing pavilions will also be completed.

In athletics, improvements are underway to the running track at the Matthew Micallef St John Stadium in Marsa. In 2027, plans include roofing the main stand, installing new seating and
preparing for the roofing of the warm-up track.

In sailing, the Government will support an initiative by the Malta Sailing Federation to make 60 boats available to clubs, with particular emphasis on developing talent from an early age. A dilapidated building on Manoel Island will also be regenerated for use in this sport. This measure forms part of the Government’s electoral programme and the wider regeneration planned for Manoel Island.

In aquatic sports, maintenance works at the National Swimming Pool in Tal-Qroqq will continue,together with preparations to roof the stands. Meanwhile, the Marsamxett facility will accommodate disciplines such as water polo and artistic swimming.

In motorsport, the first phase of the car racing track project in Ħal Far is progressing well.

In football, support will continue for the preparatory work on the new Malta Premier League ground.

Further improvements will also be carried out at the Cottonera Sports Complex, including the installation of air conditioning, and at the Ħal Kirkop Sports Complex, alongside works on the playing
surface at St Benedict College.

Support for rugby will also continue, while a fund will be established to assist regatta clubs in restoring or constructing new traditional racing boats. In bocce, clubs will be provided with a set of
bocce balls as part of efforts to strengthen traditional sports.

Preparations are also ongoing for Malta to host the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games and other international competitions.

In the area of inclusive sport, plans are being developed for a dedicated building for Special Olympics Malta, from which health and wellbeing services for athletes can be provided.

An investment of €250,000 in the Paralympic movement has also been confirmed for the purchase of sports equipment for training and competitions.

A financial assistance scheme of up to €20,000 has also been announced for sports associations, covering up to 50% of an administrator’s salary.

Meanwhile, the scheme offering six months of free gym access to young people aged between 16
and 21 will continue.

SportMalta, in collaboration with local councils, will also organise physical activity classes for older adults, who will be able to use SportMalta facilities, including swimming pools, free of charge.

Minister Camilleri concluded by emphasising that these initiatives reflect the Government’s commitment to continuing to increase participation in sport, strengthening sports associations and
providing athletes with the support they need to reach their full potential.

St Margaret College – Żabbar B Primary participated in SportMalta School Sports Day 2026 with an innovative initiative entitled “Young Athletes – Move, Fuel, Mindset, Recover”, aimed at helping Year 5 students understand that being an athlete involves much more than physical performance.

Five Year 5 classes took part in the initiative, which combined physical challenges with interactive learning activities focused on four key areas: movement, nutrition, mindset and recovery. The programme encouraged students to develop their physical abilities while gaining a better understanding of the importance of healthy choices and overall well-being.

Through a series of physical challenges, students worked on their coordination, speed, agility, strength, and power. Team activities also encouraged cooperation, communication, and friendly competition, while highlighting the importance of effort and personal improvement rather than simply focusing on winning.

The initiative also introduced students to the importance of balanced nutrition and hydration through interactive activities. In addition, discussion-based activities encouraged them to reflect on confidence, resilience, inclusion, positive thinking and how to support others when facing challenges.

The recovery component focused on simple practices such as controlled breathing, stretching, rest and adequate sleep, helping students understand the importance of looking after both their physical and mental well-being.

The President’s Walk 2026 will take place on Sunday 22 November in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund. The walk will start at 9.15am, with participants setting off from two separate locations: San Anton Palace and Raħal Ġdid.

The event will bring together people from different walks of life, including families, friends and colleagues, participants in SportMalta Programmes and Special Olympics Malta, as well as members of the Għaqda Nazzjonali Każini tal-Banda, who will add to the atmosphere along the route with live band music.

Participants are invited to make a €10 donation in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund. In return, each participant will receive a €10 voucher, courtesy of Eurosport, together with an official event shirt.

Registration can be completed online through ShowsHappening.com. Event shirts can then be collected from the Malta Community Chest Fund offices, Eurosport outlets or SportMalta facilities at the following locations:

• Cottonera Sports Complex
• Kirkop Sports Complex
• Marsa Sports Complex
• Tal-Qroqq National Pool
  

The details of this year’s edition were announced during a press conference held at San Anton Palace, addressed by the Hon. Minister for Education and Sport Byron Camilleri, Shadow Minister for Sport Graham Bencini, SportMalta Chief Executive Officer Mark Cutajar, and Kevin Chircop, Executive Chairman of Enemed.

The President’s Walk is an opportunity for the community to come together in support of a worthy cause. All donations will go towards the Malta Community Chest Fund, which provides assistance to individuals and families in need across Malta and Gozo.

Everyone is encouraged to take part in this initiative, combining a morning of activity and community spirit with support for those who need it most.

Qormi San Ġorġ Primary participated in SportMalta School Sports Day 2026, with Year 2 and Year 4 pupils enjoying an exciting day filled with fun and engaging physical activities.

Through a variety of specially designed exercises and sporting challenges, the pupils had the opportunity to develop important physical skills, including coordination, spatial awareness, throwing and catching. The activities also encouraged them to improve their balance, movement, and control.

The pupils enthusiastically took part in the different challenges, building their confidence, developing their motor skills and learning the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship.

The initiative provided an enjoyable opportunity for pupils to stay active, learn through movement, and strengthen positive relationships with their peers.