In the presence of the minister for Inclusion and Quality of Life the Hon Julia
Farrugia Portelli and the Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Recreation and
Voluntary Organizations the Hon Dr. Clifton Grima, the government through
SportMalta signed a contract wherein the land on which store number 36,
Barriera Wharf, Valletta has been transferred to the Birżebbuġa
Regatta Club.

Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli said how “this Government believes that sport is
one of the contributors for a better quality of life. In fact, this year we are
investing €13 million in projects and capital investment in sports, to give young
people the best platforms to practice different disciplines”. She mentioned
that after years of waiting, this project will make a big difference for the
Birżebbuġa Regatta Club rowers, who now can now train at the Grand Harbour
itself, therefore on the actual elements and currents in which the regatta takes
place. She concluded by saying that “our country is very fortunate to find many
volunteers to run sports entities amongst others. If it wasn’t for them it would
not have been easy for such entities not only to be initiated but to continue.
Therefore it is the duty of the Government to do everything possible to assist
this voluntary work.”

Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Clifton Grima explained how through this transfer
Regatta Club Birżebbuġa will have a store where they can keep their boats. He
went on to say that the Government’s commitment is to continue to fulfil its
electoral sports promises. He stated that this Government wants to adopt and
strengthen a sports culture from an early age. “As a Government, we are aware
that to do this we need to invest in sports facilities and associations
themselves, and that’s what we’re doing today. We believe in giving facilities
and help so that sports clubs can continue to grow and improve their services,
ultimately our children will gain and enjoy it all. This Government is committed
in investing so together we do another leap in quality. We want every sport to
be given the opportunity to flourish” said the Parliamentary Secretary.

Dr Luciano Busuttil, SportMalta Chairman reminded that this land donation
process boosts sports associations to continue to grow and attract more
youngsters and children to sport. When a club is given land, it is given autonomy to grow without other direct help by attracting investment.
Birżebbuġa Regatta Club president, Mr. Ian Farrugia described this event as a
dream come true, through which the club is looking forward to continuing
offering the best training necessary, now more than before since the land has
been transferred to them. This Government is committed to carry out various
projects for the benefit of several sport disciplines, while encouraging
organizations to get up and strengthen so to give athletes all the space to

develop and excel in sports.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Recreation and Voluntary Organizations the
Hon Dr. Clifton Grima, along with Pembroke Local Council Mayor, Mr Dean Hili
and SportMalta Chief Executive Officer Mr Mark Cutajar, inaugurated a
basketball pitch in the 4 th of July Garden, with a total investment of around
€105,000 from SportMalta and the Pembroke Local Council.
Besides the renovation of the surrounding garden and change of fencing, the
investment includes painting of the basketball pitch floor and the installation
of new lighting and basketball equipment.
In his speech, Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Clifton Grima emphasized that
because of this investment many families will benefit from this open space
which has been abandoned for the last few years. Whilst thanking SportMalta
and the Pembroke Local Council for their valuable work, he stressed that
SportMalta is in the process of assessing different sites around Malta and Gozo
to transform them into sports facilities that will serve as recreation for the

whole family.
“These facilities will be rebuilt or renovated with the intention to bring
communities closer together for more social interaction”, added Parliamentary
Secretary Dr.Grima.
SportMalta Chief Executive Mark Cutajar said that one of SportMalta’s main
goals is to encourage children and young people to practice sports and physical
activity outdoors. That is why SportMalta has invested €600,000 so together
with Local Councils they identify playing fields and open spaces to be used for
outdoor sports.
Pembroke Mayor Mr Dean Hili stressed that over the last two legislatures the
need has been felt to revitalize this public space, although repairs were carried
out regularly, a substantial financial injection was needed to improve the
facilities to meet our aspirations. He called for respect for these new facilities
so our youngsters will be able to practice sports and enjoy the open space for
free.

Gvern għan-nies – Il-gvern permezz ta’ SportMalta jgħaddi 1,338 metru kwadru ta’ art fiż-Żona Industrijali ta’ Kordin lill-Hibernians Basketball Club biex tiġi żviluppata f’padiljun tal-basketball ġdid

Is-Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Isport, ir-Rikreazzjoni u l-Għaqdiet Volontarji Clifton Grima indirizza konferenza tal-aħbarijiet fejn ħabbar li, wara numru ta’ snin ta’ stennija, il-gvern permezz ta’ SportMalta għadda art fiż-Żona Industrijali ta’ Kordin, b’qies ta’ 1,338 metru kwadru u b’ċens ta’ 45 sena, sabiex tiġi żviluppata f’padiljun ġdid u faċilitajiet anċillari.

Is-Segretarju Parlamentari Clifton Grima spjega li permezz ta’ dan it-trasferiment, il-Hibernians Basketball Club se jkollu klabb sportiv kif jixraqlu u li qed ikompli juri l-impenn tal-gvern li jwettaq il-wegħdiet elettorali sportivi tiegħu. Huwa stqarr li dan il-gvern irid irawwem u jsaħħaħ il-kultura sportiva sa mill-etajiet bikrin.

“Bħala gvern, konxji li biex nagħmlu dan irridu ninvestu fil-faċilitajiet sportivi u fl-għaqdiet infushom, u dak huwa li qed nagħmlu llum. Aħna nemmnu li rridu nagħtu l-faċilitajiet u l-għajnuna sabiex il-klabbs sportivi jkunu jistgħu jkomplu jikbru u jtejbu s-servizzi tagħhom. Wara kollox, huma uliedna li jgawdu minn dan kollu. Dan il-gvern huwa mpenjat biex jinvesti sabiex flimkien nagħmlu l-qabża ta’ kwalità li jmiss. Irridu li kull dixxiplina sportiva tingħata l-opportunità li tiffjorixxi”,  sostna s-segretarju parlamentari.

Iċ-Chairman ta’ SportMalta Dr Luciano Busuttil tkellem fuq il-bżonn li aktar klabbs u assoċjazzjonijiet jieħdu l-inizjattiva biex jikbru u jidħlu għall-isfidi kif għamel il-Hibernians Basketball Club. B’dan il-mod, bl-art tagħhom, aktar klabbs jistgħu jsiru aktar awtonomi u jżidu l-edukazzjoni sportiva fost it-tfal, żgħażagħ u l-komunità inġenerali.

Dan il-gvern huwa mpenjat li jwettaq diversi proġetti b’risq diversi dixxiplini sportivi differenti, filwaqt li jinċentiva lill-għaqdiet iqumu fuq saqajhom u jissaħħu, u jagħti lill-atleti l-ispazju kollu biex jiżviluppaw it-talenti tagħhom lejn l-eċċellenza sportiva.

It-Tnejn filgħodu l-Prim Ministru Robert Abela akkumpanjat mis-Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Isport Clifton Grima, inawgura t-tieni fażi tal-proġett ta’ aktar minn miljun ewro fil-Padiljun tal-Basketball f’Ta’ Qali.

Ix-xogħlijiet tat-tieni fażi kienu jinkludu it-twaqqigħ tal-istrutturi interni u bini mill-ġdid ta’ l-istands biex issa din il-facilita’ għandha kapjenza ta` 1100 sit bilqegħda.  Barra a minn hekk saru dressing rooms ġodda u anke uffiċini ġodda għall-Assoċjazzjoni Maltija tal-Baskitbol.  Dan ikomplimentaw ix-xogħlijiet tal-ewwel fażi li kienu jinkludu titjib fl-istruttura oriġinali tal-azzar u tal-binja minn barra.

Fid-diskors tiegħu l-Prim Ministru Abela qal kemm huwa mportanti li nrawmu l-valur tal-isport fit-tfal tagħna. Huwa nnota kif dan l-investiment għamel l-arena aċċessibli anke għall-persuni b’diżabilità li jistgħu issa jipprattikaw il-baskitbol f’Ta’ Qali.

Dr Abela qal li rridu nemmnu f’dak li nwettqu biex il-livell dejjem jitla’ ‘l quddiem. Semma kif din hija parti mill-viżjoni ta’ dan il-Gvern għall-għaxar snin li ġejjin u li ninsabu ffukati li naraw liż-żgħażagħ jitilgħu ‘l fuq f’dan il-qasam u kull qasam ieħor.

Is-Segretarju Parlamentari Clifton Grima qal kif l-isport għandu impatt pożittiv fuq il-ħajja u s-soċjetà tagħna. Saħaq kif il-livell għoli ta’ sport f’pajjiżna qed iħalli l-frott tiegħu anke f’pajjiżi barra minn Malta.

Il-Kap Eżekuttiv ta’ SportMalta, Mark Cutajar semma kif dan il-Gvern jimpurtah mill-isport u dan juruh id-diversi proġetti li qed isiru f’dan il-qasam madwar Malta u Għawdex kollha.  Cutajar radd ħajr lill-ħaddiema ta` SportMalta li għalkemm fl-2020 għaddew minn perjodu diffiċli, xorta laħqu l-miri tagħhom għal din is-sena.  Huwa semma li l-għaqal tal-entita’ għamel possibli li l-proġetti jitkompklew kif ukoll li l-assistenzi mogħtija din is-sena kienu ukoll rekord.  Huwa għamel ringrazzjament speċjali liċ-Ċermen Luciano Busuttil u l-ħaddiema għax-xoghol imprezzabli tagħhom.

Summer on the Move has opened its doors to the 17th edition.   In somewhat unique circumstances that the entire world faced, it is highly encouraging that over 2000 children and adults will be taking part in a wide variety of activities.  As expected, swimming and other aquatic activities top the list as they remain the most popular year after year.  The programme is offered in SportMalta’s main sport complexes as well as in some schools and sport clubs such as the Vikings Sailing Club where for another year, sailing courses for children and adults will be held.  Children in Gozo will also be served with sessions held in Rabat.

Over the years, many took the opportunity to try out a new sport during Summer on the Move and eventually kept practising ever since.  Indeed, this 8-week programme intends to inspire children and adults to take up sport on a regular basis, as part of the winter programme or by joining a club.  The morning programme offers up to 6 hours of sport and physical activity a day and includes different sports and swimming.  This ensures that all children have a positive experience when participating in sport.  An important outcome of the programme is that of instilling a sense of enthusiasm towards sport and physical activity, encouraging children and adults to understand the health benefits of participating throughout life, which in itself is an important pillar of SportMalta’s mission as part of the #BeActive campaign.

The awards competition is open for entries until 24 July 2020 (5pm Brussels local time).

About the #BeActive Awards

The #BeActive Awards competition is a central element of the annual European Week of Sport and has been created to support projects and individuals dedicated to the promotion of sport and physical activity across Europe. The awards have three categories:

#BEACTIVE EDUCATION AWARD

This award is intended to throw the spotlight on an educational setting that can demonstrate concrete ways in which it encouraged its kids to #BeActive in addition to the sport/physical activity classes in the standard curriculum. This could include extra sport activities, physically active class days out, after school activities, and other creative solutions to form an active education environment.

#BEACTIVE WORKPLACE AWARD

This award is intended to accolade a workplace that can demonstrate specific ways in which it has encouraged and helped its employees to #BeActive. This could include setting up a staff taskforce responsible for promoting physical activity, provision of showers for cycling/running commuters, standing meetings, lunchtime walks and other creative solutions to form an active working environment.

#BEACTIVE LOCAL HERO AWARD

This award honours an individual achievement to motivate others and act as a catalyst to #BeActive. The spirit of the award aims to recognising an individual who has worked consistently to promote participation in sport and/or physical activity in his or her local community.

Entries for each of these categories are to be submitted to the European Commission by National Coordinating Bodies of the European Week of Sport. Focusing on educational establishments and workplaces, as well as individuals in local communities, the awards competition contributes to the local and human dimension of the Week, while showcasing best-practice projects, and introducing inspiring individuals, to a Pan-European audience.

How to submit your nominations for the awards

National Coordinating Bodies can identify and submit projects. Along with this document, you have received three sets of forms comprising an explanation of each award category, and an entry form for each award category.

You can choose to complete the entry form(s) yourself, or pass on the entry form(s) and one page explanation(s), to an eligible organisation or person to complete and send back to you.

TAKE PART!

Send your submissions by 24 july 2020 to eac-sport-ewos@ec.europa.euand help us inspire people of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels across europe to #BEACTIVE!

RULES – #BeActive Award 2020 Rules

On the 3^rd of July 2020 the kick off meeting was held for a transnational project which will analyse and promote skills and workforce development in the European sport sector. The project is called “Continuing the journey towards a skilled workforce for the sport and physical activity sector in Europe” and will be known as the “SKILLS” project.

SKILLS is being funded under Erasmus+ Sport as a Small Collaborative Partnership across the years 2020 and 2021.

SKILLS is a follow up to the successful ESSA-Sport project which took place from 2016 – 2019 which analysed the sport labour market and produced reports and action plans towards skills and workforce development at the national and European level (All final outputs on www.essa-sport.eu).

The SKILLS Initiative will ensure continuity and maintain the momentum in researching, networking, implementing actions and improving skills in the sport sector in Europe.

In particular, the work programme of the SKILLS project include to:

• Gather and analyse labour market statistics for 2019 and 2020, sharing updated statistics on the size and characteristics of the sport labour market in Europe (this will be particularly interesting to see the effect of Covid-19 in employment data)
• Monitor the implementation of national strategic action plans from the ESSA-Sport project (producing a copendium of good practice examples)
• Identify and raise awareness of the realities and trends of the sector in terms of skills needs and challenges (producing a summary paper on skills needs and challenges in the sector).
• Promote and encourage dialogue and networking on the topic of skills and workforce development (organising an annual workship gathering European sport organisations)

The kick off meeting introduced the project to partners and clarified their role. EOSE also updated partners on the work achieved so far including a meeting with Eurostat about the collection of employment data.

The next partner meeting is planned for October 2020 either in Croatia or online, as the health situation in Europe allows.

At a press conference held at Pretty Bay, Birzebbuga Chairperson of The Marigold Foundation, Michelle Muscat launched the sixth edition of the annual swimming challenge.  The challenge that will be held on Saturday 11th July, 2020, will this year take a different form. Michelle Muscat will embark on a swimathon in the sea and will involve the participation of the general public who are invited to come for a swim and donate in aid of The Marigold Foundation.  This event will also be open to people with mobility challenges with an accessibility lane leading to the sea and a number of floating wheel chairs and hoists available throughout the day.

The Aquatic Sports Association  will also be participating in this swimathon involving all waterpolo players who will be doing the swimathon at District5 pool.

Persons of all ages including children are invited to join the swimathon in the sea against a €10 donation swimming different lengths according to everyone’s ability within safe parametres.  Those who wish to participate and also enjoy the acquatic fun park can do so against a €20 donation.  Early registrations are encouraged from:

The Meeting Place in Marsa , Tal-Qroqq National Pool, Cottonera Sport Complex, Kirkop Sport Complex, Birzebbugia Local Council or message on The Marigold Foundation Facebook.

Music and entertainment will be available on the beach making this swimathon a fun activity for the general public.

This event is following all health regulations guidelines currently in place.

For more information send us a message on The Marigold Foundation Facebook Page or call on 99912373.

The objective of The Marigold Foundation is to positively empower people and to work with them to raise standards, support initiatives and strengthen voices.  Operating at both a macro and micro level, The Marigold Foundation is the link in the community that helps on a variety of levels and across various spheres. The Foundation’s overarching aim is the constant development of our community, addressing specific aspects of it, such as social behaviour, health issues, special needs and education.  The Foundation does not help individual cases as does eg the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, but supports other NGOs working in these fields (ie health, education, social and special needs) whether already established, in their infancy or need help to set up their organisation.