Would you like to attend a Conference where you might have thought that you would spend a long time sitting down but you end up dancing? Well, if you attended the Conference ‘Celebrating Sport in Malta 2024’, you would know that this is precisely what happened. The delegates attending the three different sessions of this Conference, felt so triggered with what they were exposed to, that they felt compelled to join in whatever this very positive Conference offered. 

On Friday morning, Honorable Clifton Grima, Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation opened the Conference in the presence of physical education teachers, sport coaches and students. He was followed by Mark Cutajar, SportMalta’s Chief Executive Officer who explained briefly who this Conference was meant to target. He indicated the very innovative themes and revealed the line-up of speakers of this special event. He promised the audience that this Conference was going to be an innovative one and that stakeholders will surely find it interesting. Matthew Pisani, Deputy Chairperson at SportMalta addressed the delegates, saying that he was looking forward to participating in this two-day Conference packed with educational material.

A panel discussion about the National Education Strategy 2024 – 2030 was held, with Ritianne Borg Saliba, Director General at the Ministry of Education, Dr Luciano Busuttil, Chief Executive Officer at AIMS and Renzo Kerr-Cumbo, Senior Lecturer at MCAST. Borg Saliba explained the process of the drafting of this document while Busuttil expressed his views as a parent of a young athlete vis-à-vis schooling and is looking forward for this strategy to be implemented. Kerr-Cumbo showed his concerns about the way the education system looks at sport and physical activity. 

The second session of the day was offered to parents of young athletes. The eagerness of these parents to learn could be felt in the air. They engaged in the discussion which revolved around the support offered to athletes. The panel of this discussion, saw Professor Andrew Azzopardi as a parent of a successful young athlete, Gianluca Azzopardi Spiteri as an athlete and Daniel Tabone, President of the Malta Handball Association, as a sport administrator. Here again the discussion revolved around the young athlete and one’s academic and professional life. It was evident that the support given to athletes needs to be made more evident for athletes to benefit from. Professor Azzopardi praised the positive mental set up local athletes at the Games of Small States  were geared upon, which left historical dividends.  Tabone encouraged parents to support their kids and not to put unnecessary pressure.

Pierre Cassar, the moderator of this Conference, accompanied us through to the second day of this event, which day, welcomed sport organizations. The panel discussion was about the European Week of Sport, which is an initiative of the European Union for which SportMalta is the National Coordinating Body. This initiative is a great platform for sport organizations to recruit new athletes in collaboration with SportMalta. This panel welcomed Rose Marie Mercieca, the national coordinator on behalf of SportMalta, Mark Marlow, the President of the Malta Employees Sport Association, Christabel D’Amato from Special Olympics and Marko Glumac from Know How Soccer, with these three organizations sharing their experience as the most active within this initiative. Rose Marie Mercieca encouraged the delegates to get in touch with SportMalta for them to benefit from this initiative. As Christabel D’Amato shared during her intervention, the Week could be an occasion for parents to gain knowledge about existing opportunities. Mark Marlow appealed to employers to grant further permissions to their employees to engage in sport as in the end this would pay back. Marko Glumac insisted that such events are very important for the sport to grow. 

The Conference, which is marking the ten years of SportMalta welcomed several international speakers. Barbara Brennan, an Irish mental well-being advocate, shared her personal experience with teachers, coaches, students and parents. Her speech was very engaging and kept everyone listening attentively for the whole time.

Distinctive international sporting bodies were also invited to share their good practices, namely UEFA and World Rugby. Olivier Gudet from UEFA and Jason Lewis from World Rugby, shared their experience and knowledge about event organization with innovative ideas, including the sustainability of events, each one of them doing this from the two different perspective of the organizations they represent. Greg Woods from World Rugby also shared the good practice of T1 Rugby, a programme with the aim of growing the game. This gave an outline of what is being done at a higher level which could easily be adapted to the local level. 

James Thoem, a Gehl associate, presented inventive ways of how to transform urban spaces into places for physical activity and recreation. Teachers and coaches realized that such ideas could be easily adapted to schools and club venues while sport organizations agreed that a transformation within their premises could attract more people to their clubs. 

The Conference included online questionnaires for the audience to engage in and to interact between each other and with the speakers. It certainly saw a whole lot of innovative topics and ideas with which the listeners felt stimulated and engaged, up to the point that they felt like dancing with SportMalta’s own coach, Johanna Refalo. 

The Conference ended with the distribution of €1.6million to be utilized by 120 sport organizations for international participation and sport tourism. It certainly was a very positive Conference to be remembered, marking the ten years of SportMalta with a difference.

SportMalta the Government entity for sport and physical activity is celebrating ten years from its transformation from the then Kunsill Malti għall-Isport.  For this memorable year and to celebrate the achievements of the entity throughout these years several activities will be organized for its associated sport organizations.

Celebrating Sport in Malta Conference 2024 will open these activities on the 12^th and the 13^th of January at Radisson Blu Resort and Spa Golden Sands.  The two-day conference will target different stakeholders and will have high level local and international speakers.

The first session will be held on Friday morning, and it will focus on the role of the physical education teacher, coaches, and prospective teachers and their relationship with student athletes.  The second session on Friday afternoon will have parents of student athletes as their target audience.  The challenges, the stress, time management and many other related topics will be discussed.  The third and final session on a Saturday morning will be directly related to Sport Organizations.  Topics related with creating open spaces in their premises, the European Week of Sport and the sustainability of events will be discussed.

The high-level panel of speakers include local and international personalities.  These include Barbara Brennan an Irish mental well-being advocate, Greg Woods and Jason Lewis from World Rugby, Olivier Gudet from UEFA and Canadian Architect James Thoem from top architectural firm Gehl Associate based in Denmark.  During the sessions all chaired by experienced sport journalist and Director of Marketing, Communications and Alumni at the University of Malta  Pierre Cassar, there will also be a number of panel discussions with the participation of Director General at the Ministry of Education Ritienne Borg Saliba, Luciano Busuttil CEO AIMS, senior lecturer at MCAST Renzo Kerr Cumbo, the Dean of Faculty of Social Well-Being Andrew Azzopardi, GSSE 2023 gold medalist Janet Richards,  the Malta Handball President Daniel Tabone, Rose Marie Mercieca national coordinator of the European Week of Sport and producer of this conference, Malta Employees Sport Association Mark Marlow and Marko Glumac who is the technical Director of Know How Soccer.

The conference will be opened by the Minister for Education and Sport Clifton Grima who during the last session together with SportMalta Chairperson Omar Farrugia will distribute over €3 million as assistance to sport organizations.

Join us at the Celebrating Sport in Malta Conference organized by SportMalta! 🇲🇹 Exciting sessions for PE Teachers, Coaches, Students, Parents of Young Athletes, and Sports Organizations. 🗓️ Mark your calendars for January 12th-13th, 2024. Register now for insightful talks on Mental Health, Sports Events, and Placemaking. 🎙️ Don’t miss out!

Registration:

Pe Teachers/Coaches/Students 👉 https://rb.gy/i3tgwi

Parents of Young Athletes 👉 https://rb.gy/0760kv

Sports Organizations 👉https://rb.gy/aw5w4n

The SportMalta Christmas International Waterpolo Tournament 2023 showcased Malta’s resilience and determination despite facing tough opponents. On Day 1, Malta faced Italy, resulting in a challenging 6-23 defeat. However, considering the differing levels of the teams, the outcome was somewhat expected. It served as a valuable learning experience for the young Maltese players.

Day 2 saw Malta competing against France, resulting in a closer 11-15 loss. Despite the defeat, Malta demonstrated their ability to play commendable waterpolo. On Day 3, Malta faced the Netherlands, concluding their tournament with a 7-22 loss.

The overall tournament result reflects the challenges Malta encountered, with three consecutive losses. Nevertheless, the experience gained will undoubtedly contribute to the team’s growth.

Final results of the overall tournament:

– Italy won the tournament with three victorious games.

– France secured the second position.

– The Netherlands claimed the third spot, and Malta finished in fourth place.

As they regroup and learn from their performances, the Maltese waterpolo team looks ahead to the upcoming European Championships in Croatia, aiming for a stronger showing on the international stage.

2024 will be a remarkable year for SportMalta since it will be celebrating its ten years following the transition from the then Kunsill Malti għall-Isport.  In the last press conference of the year SportMalta gave details about the first activities in 2024 and recognised several schools which took part in the SportMalta Schools Sports Day.  A recognition night to celebrate individuals who supported society through sport and physical activity.

Rose Marie Mercieca, Coordinator of the European Week of Sport said that SportMalta would like to recognize the work done in the schools of Malta and Gozo as part of the European Week initiative of Sport.  She said that since its inception ten years ago, the participation within this initiative continued to grow year after year reaching a record participation in 2023.  She congratulated all the schools and stressed on the importance of dissemination in schools and beyond.

Mark Cutajar CEO SportMalta said that in as in the last ten years, SportMalta will keep serving the society at large by providing opportunities to associations, clubs, individuals to practice sport and physical activity.  Her announced that a Conference ‘Celebrating Sport in Malta’ will happen between the 12^th and the 13^th of January 2024.

The main themes of the conference will be mental wellbeing, parental involvement, sustainability in events and promotion of sport in school.  The three sessions will have a different audience namely teachers and coaches on Friday morning, parents on Friday afternoon and Sport Associations and clubs on Saturday Morning.  For this a high-level international line up will deliver keynote presentations.  Amongst the speakers there will be Barbara Brennan an Irish Mental Health Advocate, Canadian Architect James Thoem, Olivier Goudet from UEFA and from World Rugby Greg Woods and Jason Lewis.

SportMalta Chairman Omar spoke about the successes that SportMalta had in the last ten years and said that the entity is committed to keep on delivering.  Sport is not only measured by medals but is also measured with values inculcated in all participants.

Minister Clifton Grima the public consultation document on the Strategy for Education with the strategy for sport.  He congratulated all the school who took part in the SportMalta Schools Sports Day and highlighted the benefits of such initiatives.  He remarked on the achievement reached by SportMalta and on the success of the local athletes in the Games of Small States of Europe 2023.

Minister Grima together with SportMalta Chairman Omar Farrugia presented sport equipment to participating schools.

The Sport Malta Christmas International Tournament press conference held at the Sport Malta Cottonera Sports Complex on Friday, 15th December, at 11:30 am. Speakers included Hon Minister Dr. Clifton Grima, SportMalta Chairperson Omar Farrugia, SportMalta CEO Mark Cutajar, ASA President Karl Izzo, and MTA Representative. The event showcased the upcoming dates between 28th and 30th December 2023 for the National Senior Men’s teams of Malta, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. Secure your tickets at www.asaofmalta.eu – Block Ticket €60 on a first-come-first-served basis.

Maltese athletes excelled at the 2023 Games of the Small States of Europe, hosted by Malta, earning a Medal for Service to the Republic. In an outstanding achievement, Malta secured 38 gold, 30 silver, and 29 bronze medals, emerging as the overall winner among nine participating countries. This remarkable performance highlights the commitment of Maltese athletes and showcases the talent present in smaller nations. Eleanor Bezzina led Team Malta as the appointed Team Captain, overseeing their success across various sports, including athletics, basketball, judo, rugby, sailing, shooting, squash, swimming, table-tennis, and tennis.

All this marks another positive chapter in the sporting narrative of 2023, highlighting the collaborative contributions of athletes, sports personnel, the Olympic committee, associations, families, government entities, sponsors, sports journalists, organizing committee, ministry, and volunteers. Embracing and supporting sports is a shared commitment for all!

On the 12th of October, our school enthusiastically joined the SportMalta Schools Sports Day, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and healthy competition among students. The event saw the active participation of students from KG 2 to Year 6, engaging in a range of outdoor games tailored to their specific age groups. This not only provided an opportunity for physical exercise but also promoted teamwork and sportsmanship.

Continuing the momentum, on the 13th of October, students from KG 2 to Year 6 embarked on a refreshing 20-minute walk around the picturesque St. Thomas Bay promenade. The scenic surroundings not only encouraged physical activity but also offered a chance for students to appreciate the beauty of their local environment while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

Simultaneously, the school ensured that the youngest members, the KG1 students, were not left out of the sporting fun. Tailored sports activities were organized in the school yard, offering these young participants a chance to develop their motor skills and cultivate an early love for physical activity.

Overall, the SportMalta Schools Sports Day proved to be a holistic and inclusive event, catering to students of all age groups and fostering a culture of fitness, teamwork, and well-being within our school community.

13th October 2023 was an exciting day for Kalkara Primary School as we actively participated in the SportMalta Schools Sports Day. The event showcased various sports stations, each designed to engage and challenge students physically and mentally.

At Station 1, dedicated to Gymnastics, an obstacle course was organised that demanded a combination of agility and coordination. Students navigated through activities like rolling over in pencil roll or forward roll, jumping on the trampoline, and balancing over the half cylinder. This station not only tested their physical prowess but also introduced elements of fun and creativity. Meanwhile, Station 2 featured bean bag races where students were equipped with tennis rackets and bean bags. They had to skillfully place the bean bag on the racket and race to the marker, turning and returning with precision.

Moving on to Station 3, the Stilts races, students were provided with a pair of stilts. The challenge was to maintain balance while advancing towards the rings. Each student had to pick up one ring and carefully make their way back to the starting line. Station 4 incorporated ladders, where students were divided into two groups and assigned various tasks such as hopping on one foot, jumping with both feet in, moving sideways, and taking two steps forward followed by one step back.

Station 5 introduced a spirited game of Hot Potato. The students were divided into two teams, each armed with shuttlecocks (bombs). The objective was to throw the shuttles over the badminton net, and the team with the least number of shuttles in their area emerged as the victorious one.

Shifting to Station 6, Shooting, a goal post and a softball were central to the activity. Students aimed to shoot and score a point inside the goal post. Some classes engaged in shooting exercises, while others enjoyed a small football game. Meanwhile, Station 7 featured Balancing, where students were provided with balance balls. In a friendly yet competitive atmosphere, they raced against opponents while maintaining balance on the balls.

The SportMalta Schools Sports Day not only fostered physical fitness but also encouraged teamwork, creativity, and sportsmanship among the students. It was a day filled with enthusiasm and camaraderie, leaving lasting memories for all participants.

On Friday, 13th October, Birkirkara Primary School actively participated in the SportMalta Schools Sports Day by organizing invigorating Zumba Sessions as part of the European School Sport Day. This initiative aimed to promote physical activity among both students and educators alike. The Zumba Sessions not only provided an enjoyable and engaging way to burn calories but also served as an effective means to reduce stress, enhance coordination, and, above all, foster a sense of happiness and energy among the participants.

The lively atmosphere and vibrant music during the sessions created a dynamic and inclusive environment, encouraging everyone to embrace the joy of movement. It was heartening to witness the enthusiastic participation of students and educators alike, reinforcing the school’s commitment to overall well-being and a healthy, active lifestyle.

These Zumba Sessions not only contributed to the success of the SportMalta Schools Sports Day but also left a lasting impact on the school community, highlighting the importance of physical activity as an essential component of a balanced and fulfilling education. As a school, we are proud to have played an active role in promoting fitness, well-being, and a positive mindset among our students and educators through this exhilarating event.”