@SportMalta @EuSport @EOSE_skills EOSE President Thierry Zintz presents the vital role of volunteers in good governance leading sport pic.twitter.com/1VSnETxP07

— Stephen Studd (@StuddStephen) November 30, 2016

Seminar by @SportMalta and @EU2017MT about skillful sport volunteering. pic.twitter.com/nySXMaGzIr

— Warren Sammut (@warrensammut) November 30, 2016

@SportMalta @EuSport Mark Cutajar opens seminar on volunteering. Crucial issue to sport @EOSE_skills pic.twitter.com/N0wttrRkLD

— Stephen Studd (@StuddStephen) November 30, 2016

At 'Engaging skillful volunteers' seminar #MaltaEU2017 @SportMalta

— JacomineRavensbergen (@Jac_o_mine) November 30, 2016

Engaging Skillful Volunteers Seminar now @Malta @SportMalta @EuSport @EU2017MT pic.twitter.com/zf2aozSLLR

— Dermot Galea (@dermot_galea) November 30, 2016

Sport= 3%GDP in EU, led by 35 million volunteers. 'Professional voluntarism' in Sports is extremely important for EU @SportMalta @EU2017MT pic.twitter.com/Dhs9yVej0n

— JacomineRavensbergen (@Jac_o_mine) November 30, 2016

@SportMalta @EuSport @EOSE_skills volunteering in sport is the biggest civil society movement in EU 35m people @TASS_Director pic.twitter.com/kP6h1nOp0b

— Stephen Studd (@StuddStephen) November 30, 2016

Guy Taylor stresses the importance of the EU XG Recomm on Volunteering. It's about creating the right environment. @ENAS_sport @SportMalta pic.twitter.com/s83yQWLLmA

— Margo de Lange (@igot_officer) November 30, 2016

Our presidency starts today! #SportMalta @talwefi @cutajar_mark @SportMalta https://t.co/1tmThNGmo7

— Dr Luciano Busuttil (@busuttilluciano) November 30, 2016

@sportmalta @EU2017MT #skillfulvolunteeringinsports pic.twitter.com/MPfl4YV3H5

— Warren Sammut (@warrensammut) November 30, 2016

@SportMalta @maltaeu2017 pic.twitter.com/abzPDYb1D8

— Mark Cutajar (@cutajar_mark) November 30, 2016

@talwefi at Engaging Skillful Volunteers Seminar – 1st @eu2017mt sport event @SportMalta @cutajar_mark @dermot_galea @davidagiusmp pic.twitter.com/l1KbcjknrC

— pamela schembri (@SchembriPamela) November 30, 2016

#volunteers are the heartbeat of @SportMalta pic.twitter.com/yQ8VyDnMYO

— Mark Cutajar (@cutajar_mark) November 30, 2016

Sport is a people's business. It's PEOPLE who make sport happen. It's people we need to invest in. @ENAS_sport @SportMalta

— Margo de Lange (@igot_officer) November 30, 2016

@SportMalta seminar on engaging skillful volunteers in sport…..from peope to people

— tanya zahra (@tanyazahra2) November 30, 2016

SportMalta has launched the ‘Youth Development Scheme’ in collaboration with Bank of Valletta – aimed at athletes who have not attained 18 years of age, the scope of the scheme is to assist these athletes in participating in international competitions beyond our shores.

The scheme, equally funded by SportMalta and Bank of Valletta, will assist around 25 athletes. These athletes will be selected by a board of experts to evaluate applications received through the official organisation of the particular sporting discipline.

The scheme was launched during a press conference held at the Kirkop Sports Complex and addressed by Luciano Busuttil and Mark Cutajar, Chairman and CEO of SportMalta repsectively and Charles Azzopardi, Head PR and Marketing at Bank of Valletta.

Luciano Busuttil, Chairman of SportMalta said that this scheme is an opportunity for our youths to gain a unique experience in international competitions.

Charles Azzopardi, Head of Marketing Department of BOV said that
“Bank of Valletta has been supporting major sporting initiatives in Malta for years, however we always felt the need to embrace the development of our young athletes from an early stage,” said Charles Azzopardi, “The Youth Development Scheme is a major stepping stone in building our future champions. Since a sport builds character, increases confidence and motivates youths, we are confident that with this collaboration with SportMalta, we are making a positive contribution towards the future of our community.”
Mark Cutajar explained in detail how the scheme shall operate. ‘We are honoured that that a company of the stature of  BOV choose to team up with SportMalta to finance this scheme. Sportmalta continuously supports our young athletes since this means an investment in our country,’ said Mr Cutajar. He mentioned that the Regulatory Department is also currently holding discussions with the Malta Olympic Committee to further invest in our youths as preparation to the Small Nations Games to be held in 2023. ‘We understand that young athletes face financial difficulties to participate in international competitions, however these are essential in gaining valuable experience that will help them advance in their sporting career.’

More info about the new scheme: CLICK HERE

The Schools’ Football Tournament kicked off this week the 7th of November. This event is organised by the Sport Promotion Unit (SPU) within SportMalta and the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education (DQSE) together with the Malta Football Association’s Grassroots Department within the Technical Centre.

This  event, held for Form 3s, Form 4s and Form 5s for both Boys and Girls saw the following schools participating; Boys’ Section – Gozo Secondary School, St. Thomas More Secondary School, St. Theresa Secondary School, Maria Regina College, Msida Education Hub, Paola ALP, St. Margaret Secondary School, San Gorg Preca Secondary School, St. Claire’s Secondary School (F3), Pembroke, St. Claire’s Secondary School (F5), Sliema, St. Ignatius Secondary School and the National Sport School; Girls’ Section – St. Theresa Secondary School, St. Monica, Maria Regina Secondary School, St. Ignatius Secondary School, St. Dorothy, San Gorg Preca, Blata l-Bajda and the National Sport School.

State schools have been competing in groups all week from Monday 7^th to Friday 11^th November with the top schools in the groups qualifying for the semi-finals on Thursday and Friday. The top two state schools’ teams will then be joined by the top two teams from the non-state schools in the Finals on the 16^th and 17^th of May 2016.

The tournament has been held at premises provided by Balzan FC, Lija Athletic FC and the new SportMalta Maria Assumpta Sports Complex seeing over 400 boys and girls aged 13 to 16.

The semi-final standings are as follows:

The organisers would again like to express their satisfaction and thank all the participants from all schools, the Nurseries and sponsors TeamSport and GSD Marketing Ltd. for making the tournament a success. The MFA and Educational entities are looking forward to exciting finals in May.

SportMalta is once again joining the Malta Community Chest Fund for this year’s  The President’s Solidarity Fun Run that will be held next Sunday at 10am.

The Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation provides financial, material and professional support to people experiencing difficulties because of severe chronic illness, such as cancer. The Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation also supports persons with disability, people in poverty and NGOs (through the Fund for Voluntary Organisations).

Whilst the Run will depart from Rabat (Saqqajja Hill) and carry on for 11.3Km, the walks will commence at Paola Square (5.35Km), University of Malta (4.69Km) and St Venera (4.49Km).

All the routes will congregate at Portes des Bombes, Floriana with participants proceeding to St George’s Square, Valletta for the big finale of the Fun Run.

Applications are now open, and those who’d like to join can do so by applying at any Banif Bank branch, Maltco points of sale, San Anton Palace, the MCCFF offices at the The Palace in Valletta, or online here.

A special commemorative T-shirt will be given to all those attending, together with a wristband which entitles all holders to free public transport after the Fun Run from Valletta to all locations across Malta.

Join us next Sunday for the President’s Solidarity FunRun, where, as One Nation, with One Heartbeat we run or walk to help those in need.

Thank you for your Solidarity!

SportMalta is supporting this year’s European Network of Academics Sports Services (ENAS) Forum & Assembly.

The European Network of Academic Sports Services (ENAS) is the Association of Sports Offices in Higher Education Institutions in Europe. The 19th Annual ENAS Forum and Assembly is scheduled next week and will take place in Malta.

This is the most important ENAS event if the year and an invaluable tool for achieving goals. The Forum attracts around 130 delegates from the European Higher Education System, including senior managers of University Sport, government officials and their representatives, sport policy makers, vice-chancellors, sport directors and organisations of student representatives.

Here, you will find all the information you may need about the 2016 event in Malta that is organised by the University of Malta and the Maltese University Sports Club at the spectacular Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa in Attard.

It promises to be a spledid edition already with a full line-up of speakers already confirmed.

This year’s theme is “Leadership-Building a brighter Future.

In view of the theme of volunteering as one of the principle topics of the Maltese Presidency, SportMalta has linked it with sports through the launch of a new course for volunteers in sports that will lead to formal certification for all those attending.

The course has been conceived by SportMalta together with MCAST. All those who will successfully complete the course will be awarded with an MCAST Level 2 Award in Sport Volunteering.

This course will mark the beginning of a series of events connected to the Presidency and it shall be presented to the European Union as a good practice.

This course is being offered to all SportMalta employees whereas all sport associations have been invited to attend. The aim of this course is to equip its employees and all those working in the sport industry with competences and continuous development in specific fields related to sports.

All participants will receive a certificate that shows their aptitude in this field and the proficiency achieved which will make them eligible to work with sport entities during both local and international competitions.

The course is divided in three modules and will terminate in March.  A register containing all the names of successful participants will be developed at the end of the course and will serve as a reference to sports entities wishing to engage skilled and trained staff.

Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation Youth and Sport said that this project is going to be presented as a good practice during the Maltese Presidency. He explained that many of those involved in sports usually work on a voluntary basis and now through this course they have been given the opportunity to get formal recognition through this certification of the work they do. Moreover this project will contribute to maximize on human resources by making the best use of this potential. He maintained that this course will be beneficial to all associations as it places the participants on an advanced level.

Mark Cutajar, CEO of SportMalta stated that this is yet another confirmation of how SportMalta continuously creates opportunities for its employees to grow through learning and training. This course follows another course that was offered to SportMalta’s employees who on successful completion were certified with an MCAST Level 5 Award in Public Service Sport Administration. He reminded that this course, financed by the European Social Fund was offered together with the European Observatoire of Sport and Employment (EOSE) and in collaboration with MCAST. As a matter of fact he thanked MCAST for accepting to work together for a second time on such an initiative so as to offer together a course of the highest level to all those attending. He said that he is convinced that this project will be welcomed by the European Union and stated that the course will be repeated in the years to come so that a record of qualified people in the field of sports is created.

Mr Stephen Cachia, MCAST Principal and CEO stated that he is glad that MCAST is participating in this new project together with SportMalta.  “This course is a valuable tool which will provide sports volunteers with the skills, competences, continuous development in specific fields related to sports. It will also help the sport clubs and organisations to get the most out of their volunteers and also formally recognizes their contribution.”

SportMalta announced new assistance schemes whilst retaining and strengthening the existent ones. This was pronounced during a press conference held at Global College Malta at Smart City.

The new Sports Leave Scheme for the private sector was launched whereby employees working with private companies can now apply for special leave in order to participate in international competitions. This scheme has already yielded succesful results for employees in the public sector and hence the need to expand it further to include all employees has now been addressed by SportMalta.

In the meantime due to the current, strong and stable financial position of SportMalta, all present schemes have been reconfirmed. Hard work and dedication by both management and workers alike have produced this revenue and such results have led to a broader budget assigned to the entity by The Ministry of Finance, trusting SportMalta to administer such funds in the most professional, transparent and honest approach.

Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation , Youth and Sport explained that the new sports leave scheme for the private sector was fulfiled following  suggestions presented during the bi annual meetings Gvern Li Jisma that proves that this governement listens and acts on the people’s proposals. He said that the function of  the regulatory section was immediately addressed at the beginning of the legislature so that today, following lengthy and intensive discussions it is now semi-autonomous.

He explained that the government together with SportMalta is currently working together with the private sector on the revamping of the Youth Development Scheme so that it is given its due importance with an increase in funds allocated to this scheme. This is evidence of the government’s faith in our youths and that it is taking definite action to invest in this sector.

Luciano Busuttil, Chairman of SportMalta said that there is an urgent need to start making use of all facilities availble and not just rely on human resources. He stressed that vacant places should be transformed into sports facilities so that they start serving our Maltese athletes. Furthermore he remarked on the importance of collaboration between SportMalta and various entities amongst them the University of Malta by which the sporting community can gain from such cooperation.

Mark Cutajar, CEO of SportMalta stated that through these schemes the entity is investing above 2 million euros wherein he believes that such support will contribute to develop professional sports. However he said that it is his wish to see that through these schemes the associations work harder to attract more people towards their particular sports in order to contribute to a healthier and physically active community. He maintained that this is SportMalta’s main mission; that is to move the nation through any possible means. He confirmed that SportMalta will persist in its duty to sustain its atheletes in order for them to be prepared in the best way possible and as a matter of fact he announced that a brand new scheme addressed towards athletes under 18 years will be launched soon in collaboration with a major private company. Details regarding this scheme will be revealed  in the coming weeks.

During the activity, Dr. Karen Zammit Southerwood explained in detail the schemes available. She commented on the importance of good governance in the management of sport organisations with special emphasis on the administration of public funds attained through these schemes. There are various schemes that are available to all levels of sports, amongst them the Capital Expenditure Scheme and the Flexi Training Scheme. Further details are available at www.sportmalta.org.mt.

Applications will be received up to the 19th of December 2016.

SportMalta encourages sports organisations to apply for these schemes so as to enhance professional development and equip our athletes with competences to compete at an international level.

Intlaħaq ftehim bejn l-Assoċjazzjoni Sportiva Hibernians u l-Malta Futsal Association, liema ftehim intlaħaq bl-intervent tas-Segretarju Parlamentari għar-Riċerka, Innovazzjoni, Żgħażagħ u Sport Chris Agius.

Il-kuntratt ta’ tliet snin li kellha l-Assoċjazzjoni Maltija tal-Futsal mal-istess Assoċjazzjoni Sportiva Hibernians skada fi tmiem l-aħħar staġun u ż-żewġ partijiet ma kienux qablu sabiex l-istess kuntratt jerġa’ jiġġedded.  Kien għalhekk li l-Assoċjazzjoni Maltija tal-Futsal, anke bl-għajnuna tas-Segretarju Parlamentari Agius u SportMalta, pruvaw isibu faċilità alternattiva, liema tentattivi ma nltaħqux, bl-unika alternattiva jibqa’ l-padiljun tal-Hibernians f’Kordin.

B’rieda tajba mill-partijiet kollha ġie mfassal kuntratt ġdid, bi klawżoli ġodda, u ntlaħaq ftehim bl-istess timijiet ta’ Hibernians ikollhom ifittxu faċilitajiet alternattivi għat-taħriġ tal-basketball.  Il-kuntratt attwali jorbot liż-żewġ partijiet għal tliet snin.  Tajjeb wieħed isemmi li l-logħob tal-istaġun 2016/17 ser jkun fil-padiljun ta’ Kordin u fil-Kulleġġ De La Salle fil-Birgu imbagħad il-kampjonat 2017/18 ser jintlagħab kollu fil-Padiljun Sportiv ta’ Kordin.

L-ewwel impenn għal dan l-istaġun tal-Assoċjazzjoni Maltija tal-Futsal tkun is-Super Cup bejn Valletta u Luxol li tintlagħab fil-11 ta’ Novembru.

Intant il-Gvern huwa impenjat sabiex fiż-żmien li ġej anke l-Futsal ikollu l-faċilità tiegħu.

Fun Run 2016 launched at Kirkop Sports Complex. The Fun Run will be organised of Sunday 6th Nobember 2016.