White Hart Hockey Club marked the end of the summer with a morning of hockey, fun and community on Saturday 5th September, bringing together around 100 people, including young players, parents and coaches. The event was organised as an opportunity for children and young people to come together through sport in an inclusive and supportive setting.

Players of different levels of experience took part, ranging from those discovering hockey for the first time to those already developing their skills and passion for the sport. The morning was built around energy, enjoyment and participation, with the club’s growing team of coaches, together with the involvement of parents, helping to create a positive atmosphere throughout.

A Morning Built Around Participation and Fun

The event catered to a wide range of experience levels, giving newcomers a first introduction to the sport while allowing more established young players the chance to continue building on their skills. The mix of beginners and more experienced participants, playing alongside one another, reflected the club’s broader focus on accessibility and enjoyment as the foundation for long-term development.

Coaches and Parents Central to the Atmosphere

The involvement of parents and the commitment of White Hart Hockey Club’s growing coaching team were central to the morning, with both playing a role in creating an environment where participants could take part, learn and enjoy being part of the hockey community. The event underlined the extent to which the club’s activities depend on that combination of coaching structure and family engagement.

Encouraging a Stronger Sporting Community

The focus of the event was on participation, enjoyment and development through hockey, giving young people the opportunity to be active, learn new skills, build confidence and develop values such as teamwork, respect and fair play. Beyond the morning itself, the event was also intended to encourage more children and families to get involved in sport, contributing to a stronger, healthier and more active sporting community.

“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”

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Ghajnsielem Local Council marked this year’s European Week of Sport with a Traditional Sports Games evening, held as part of the Europe-wide #BeActive campaign encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to take part in physical activity. The event drew a strong turnout from the local community, with over 120 participants taking part across the evening.

The European Week of Sport is an annual initiative promoted by the European Commission, aimed at encouraging participation in sport and physical activity regardless of age, background or fitness level. Local councils across Malta and Gozo take part in the campaign each year through community-based events, and Ghajnsielem’s contribution this year took the form of a traditional games evening designed to be accessible to families and residents of all ages.

A Well-Attended Evening of Traditional Games

The Traditional Sports Games event brought together residents for an evening centred on games with local and generational roots, offering a lighter, family-oriented alternative to more structured sporting formats. Organisers described the turnout and atmosphere as a success, with participants of different ages taking part alongside one another throughout the evening.

Welcoming Young Guests from Ukraine

Among those taking part in the evening was a group of ten children from Ukraine, currently living in areas near the border with Russia, who have lost their parents as a result of the war. As a gesture of welcome, the group was presented with SportMalta backpacks containing additional merchandise, a small token intended to mark their participation in the event alongside the local community.

Community Spirit at the Heart of the Campaign

Events of this kind reflect the way the #BeActive campaign is carried forward at a local level, with councils across Malta and Gozo using the European Week of Sport as an opportunity to bring residents together through informal, inclusive activity. Ghajnsielem’s Traditional Sports Games evening added a further, more personal dimension to that spirit of inclusion, with the presence and welcome extended to the visiting children from Ukraine standing out as a particular highlight of the evening.

“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”

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The Malta Employees Sport Association (MESA) held its Awards Presentation for the 2025/26 season on Thursday 27 August, recognising the achievements and commitment shown by athletes, teams and members across the year. Among those honoured was SportMalta Chief Executive Officer Mark Cutajar, who received the President’s Award in recognition of his contribution to the association over the season.

The presentation brought together athletes, coaches, officials and partner organisations for an occasion centred on celebrating participation and achievement within the MESA community. VisitMalta and Malta International Airport were acknowledged as official partners of the association.

President’s Award Presented to Mark Cutajar

Mr Cutajar was presented with the President’s Award for the 2025/26 season, one of the evening’s individual recognitions.

Recognising a Season of Achievement

Beyond the President’s Award, the presentation featured further honours across the season, with additional trophies and recognitions presented to teams and individuals for their achievements throughout the year.

A Platform for Malta’s Employee Sport Community

MESA continues to serve as a structure through which sport is organised and promoted among employees across various sectors in Malta. Occasions such as the Awards Presentation give the association the opportunity to mark the season’s conclusion while highlighting the role that structured participation plays in sustaining engagement across its membership.

The recognition given to Mr Cutajar reflects SportMalta’s continued involvement in supporting employee sport initiatives, alongside its broader remit across national sports coordination.

Participants from SportMalta’s Let’s Move Malta summer programme took part in a dedicated Health Day, held at the Kirkop Sports Complex on 17 August and at Tal Qroqq Sports Complex on 18 August. The initiative formed part of the programme’s broader focus on encouraging healthy, active lifestyles among children, young people and adults taking part across Malta and Gozo this summer.

Alongside the sporting activities that form the core of Let’s Move Malta, the Health Day introduced an educational and wellbeing dimension, combining physical activity with practical guidance on sun safety and nutrition. All sessions across both days were delivered by the programme’s own coaches.

Sun Safety and Nutrition Awareness

A representative from ProHealth gave participants a talk on the importance of wearing sunscreen, reflecting the relevance of sun protection during Malta’s summer months. Sunscreen samples and fruit were distributed to participants as part of the session, reinforcing the day’s practical, hands-on approach to health education.

A separate nutritional talk was also held, giving participants guidance on healthy eating habits alongside the physical activities on offer. The session included a quiz game, adding an interactive element to the nutritional guidance provided.

A Full Programme of Activities

The Health Day featured a varied schedule of activities across both venues, including aqua fitness sessions, a football session and dancing sessions, all led by the coaching team.

Let’s Move Malta merchandise was handed out to participants over the course of the two days, adding to the range of activities and initiatives on offer at both venues.

Part of a Wider Summer Programme

The Health Day reflects Let’s Move Malta’s broader approach of combining sporting activity with wider health messaging, giving participants exposure to healthy habits that extend beyond the sessions themselves. As the programme continues across its seven centres in Malta and Gozo, initiatives of this kind add a further layer to SportMalta’s efforts to promote a more active and health-conscious lifestyle among participants of all ages.

Judoka Katryna Esposito secured Malta’s first and only medal of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Friday, 31 July, claiming bronze in the women’s -48kg judo category. She sealed her place on the podium with a juji-gatame armlock against Scotland’s Eva Ewing, winning by ippon and earning a second successive Commonwealth bronze after Birmingham 2022.

The result further establishes Esposito as one of Malta’s most consistent international performers and gave Team Malta its sole podium finish of the Games. It was especially significant for SportMalta: Esposito is a valued member of the organisation’s team, so her medal represents both a national sporting success and a proud achievement for her SportMalta colleagues.

A Second Commonwealth Bronze

Competing in an eight-athlete draw, Esposito began at the quarter-final stage, defeating Mauritius’ Marie Thomas by waza-ari. She was then beaten by Canada’s Heidi Quach by ippon in the semi-final, sending her into the bronze medal contest against Ewing. Esposito first scored a yuko before transitioning into the decisive armlock for ippon.

After the event, Esposito described the medal as the product of years of dedication, sacrifice and perseverance. She also highlighted the months of hard work, overseas training camps and regular international competition that helped prepare her for Glasgow. SportMalta formed an important part of the support network behind this preparation, alongside her federation, club, sponsors and other partners.

A Career Built on Consistency

Esposito has built a strong record since her first Commonwealth medal. Her results include bronze at the Tunis and Algiers African Opens in 2023, gold at the 2023 Games of the Small States of Europe, gold at the 2024 Commonwealth Judo Championships in Malta, and silver at both the Tunis and Algiers African Opens in 2026.

Her achievements were recognised in 2023, when she was named Sportiva tas-Sena at the 63rd SportMalta Awards – Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali. Her continued success demonstrates the value of SportMalta’s investment in elite sport. Financial and logistical assistance from SportMalta, together with support from the Malta Judo Federation, Tigné Judo Club, sponsors and other partners, has helped her access overseas training camps, specialist preparation and regular international competition.

Minister Congratulates Esposito

Hon. Minister for Education and Sport Byron Camilleri congratulated Esposito on her result, placing it within the context of Malta’s wider participation at the Games. He said: “We are proud of the 21 athletes representing Malta at the Commonwealth Games. Special congratulations to Katryna Esposito for winning the bronze medal in judo.”

Recognition for the Wider Delegation

Esposito’s medal was achieved as part of a wider Maltese delegation of 21 athletes who competed across various disciplines at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Each athlete’s presence at the Games reflected years of training and preparation, and their participation on this stage stands as a recognition of the dedication and commitment invested by the athletes themselves, as well as their coaches and support staff, in reaching international level competition.

Looking Ahead

Esposito has identified qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as her long-term objective. Her Glasgow bronze underlines the continued progress of Maltese judo and highlights the role of SportMalta support, sponsorship and coordinated partnerships in helping Maltese athletes succeed internationally.

Sportmalta Welcomes FIBA Europe President to Cottonera Sports Complex

Malta’s growing standing within international sporting circles was again on display today as Jorge Garbajosa, President of FIBA Europe, visited the Cottonera Sports Complex, the latest stop in a continued pattern of engagement between SportMalta and the governing bodies that shape sport across the continent. The visit brought one of European basketball’s most senior administrators face to face with a facility that has become central to SportMalta’s community sport ambitions.

A Familiar Face in European Basketball

Mr Garbajosa was no stranger to the upper echelons of the sport. Elected President of FIBA Europe in May 2023, he arrived in the role having already served as President of the Spanish Basketball Federation between 2016 and 2023. He had sat on the FIBA Europe Executive Committee since 2019, held a coopted seat on the FIBA Central Board, chaired the FIBA Competitions Commission, and was set to serve as FIBA Vice President for the 2023–2027 term.

As a player, the Spaniard reached the very top of the international game, lifting the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2006 and the FIBA EuroBasket title in 2009, adding an Olympic silver medal in 2008 and three further EuroBasket podium finishes to a career that also took in spells with leading European clubs and a stint in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors.

What Did the Visit Cover?

Mr Garbajosa was taken on a tour of the Cottonera Sports Complex’s sporting infrastructure and briefed on the range of activities and programmes based there. SportMalta representatives walked him through projects already completed at the site as well as those still taking shape, giving the visiting official a clear sense of how the complex had evolved and where future investment was expected to be directed.

The briefing placed particular emphasis on the complex’s role as a starting point for a number of SportMalta initiatives that had since been extended to other localities, underlining the facility’s function as something of a proving ground within the organisation’s wider network.

Mr Garbajosa also had the chance to witness the Let’s Move Malta programme in action during his visit, observing first-hand the participation the initiative had generated at the Cottonera Sports Complex as part of its ongoing rollout. He was impressed by the concept behind the programme, suggesting that it’s the kind of initiative that should be implemented in other countries across Europe.

A Two-Way Exchange

For SportMalta, hosting a figure of Mr Garbajosa’s standing offered a chance to present its work to someone with a continent-wide vantage point on sports administration and facility development. The visit was framed less as a courtesy call than as part of an ongoing dialogue between local and international sporting structures, one that officials suggested would continue beyond today’s tour.

During the visit, SportMalta CEO Mark Cutajar discussed with Mr Garbajosa how sport had grown into an important sector across the island, pointing to the extent to which Malta’s facilities and sporting programmes had improved in recent years for use by associations and the general public alike.

Also present for the visit were Larkin Bonnici, Policy Consultant within the Ministry, and Paul Sultana, President of the Malta Basketball Association. Among the topics discussed was the prospect of future collaboration between the parties, including efforts to attract international events to Malta, the possibility of hosting 3×3 basketball competitions, and the exchange of education projects between local and European basketball structures.

Basketball formed part of the broader mix of sports supported through SportMalta’s facilities and programming, and the organisation had continued working with national and local bodies to widen participation across a range of disciplines. A visit from the President of FIBA Europe was regarded as a further opportunity to strengthen those relationships and to weigh how local facilities might continue to develop in step with practice elsewhere in Europe.

Looking Ahead

Visits of this kind reflected SportMalta’s continued engagement with international federations and its efforts to align local infrastructure and programming with wider European standards. As work at the Cottonera Sports Complex and elsewhere continued, exchanges with figures such as Mr Garbajosa offered a useful external perspective on the organisation’s direction and its place within the broader European sporting landscape.

Ahead of the launch of the Let’s Move Malta Summer Programme, coaches taking part in the initiative attended a seminar yesterday titled “Coach, You Matter!”, organised in collaboration with the Malta Sport Coaches Association. The session, held under the theme Unify – Empower – Elevate, brought together coaches for an afternoon of reflection, practical guidance and shared planning ahead of the programme’s start.

The seminar opened with remarks from SportMalta Chief Executive Officer Mark Cutajar, Director Corporate Services Rose Marie Mercieca, and MSCA Founding Board Member Ruben Baldacchino, each reinforcing a shared message: coming together to empower coaches and elevate the qualities they bring to their work.

Coach, You Matter!

The seminar’s central presentation, delivered by Dr Renzo Kerr-Cumbo, invited coaches to reflect on their own values and the influence they carry, drawing on personal accounts of teachers, mentors and family members who shaped participants through simple acts of care. The presentation connected these reflections to established psychological principles, among them the fundamental human needs for safety, belonging and recognition, and the concepts of autonomy, competence and relatedness. Coaches were also introduced to the notion of professional love and its role in early years care and education and encouraged to consider how small gestures of encouragement can carry lasting significance for the children in their care.

Coaching Matters

A second section addressed the practical side of coaching, covering positive group management, from welcoming children and setting clear expectations to structuring activity time and maintaining an active, engaged coaching presence. A framework for managing behaviour, built around redirecting, reinforcing and resetting, was presented as a means of maintaining a calm and constructive environment without resorting to public correction.

Shaping a Coaching Charter

The seminar concluded with a workshop in which coaches, working in groups, contributed toward a Coaching Charter, addressing themes such as preparation, communication, professional behaviour, safety and long-term growth. Organisers described the exercise as an opportunity for coaches to define, in their own words, the standards they wish to uphold.

Looking Ahead

The seminar comes as the Let’s Move Malta Summer Programme prepares to commence, equipping coaches with both the reflective grounding and practical tools to support children across the programme’s various strands throughout the summer months.

SportMalta’s flagship Let’s Move Malta Summer Programme gets underway tomorrow, launching another summer dedicated to promoting physical activity, healthy lifestyles and community engagement across the Maltese Islands. This year’s edition has attracted an impressive 3,000 participants, reflecting the programme’s continued popularity among children, teenagers and adults.

The eight-week programme will be delivered across six venues: Cottonera Sport Complex, Marsa Sport Complex, the National Pool Complex, Maria Assunta Complex (Hamrun), Kirkop Sport Complex, Gozo  and Mosta (Zokrija Secondary School). Throughout the summer, these centres will host a wide range of sporting and recreational activities, ensuring that participants from different localities have access to quality coaching and modern sporting facilities and equipment.

Participants will benefit from the expertise of fully qualified coaches, who will lead the various sporting activities and ensure that sessions are delivered in a safe, enjoyable and professional environment. They will be supported by a team of dedicated helpers who will assist the coaches in the preparation and organisation of activities, enabling each session to run efficiently while providing participants with the attention and encouragement they need. Over 180 between coaches and helpers will deliver this programme.

Designed to encourage people of all ages and abilities to embrace a more active lifestyle, the Let’s Move Malta Summer Programme offers an extensive selection of activities, including swimming, athletics, gymnastics, football, fitness classes, dance, judo, sailing and a variety of other recreational sports. The programme not only focuses on developing sporting skills but also promotes teamwork, discipline, confidence and respect.

For younger participants, the programme provides a structured and engaging environment during the school holidays, encouraging healthy habits from an early age while allowing children to discover new sports, build confidence and make lasting friendships. Adults also benefit from a broad programme of fitness and wellness sessions tailored to different levels of experience and physical ability.  Most of the programmes run from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 14:00 hours whilst other tailor-made programmes are offered at different hours.

The participation of 3,000 individuals highlights the strong demand for organised sporting activities during the summer months and reinforces SportMalta’s commitment to building a healthier and more active nation. Over the course of the eight weeks, participants will not only improve their physical wellbeing but also enjoy the social and personal benefits that come with regular participation in sport.

As the first sessions begin tomorrow, SportMalta is looking forward to welcoming thousands of participants to its six venues for another successful edition of the Let’s Move Malta Summer Programme. With the support of experienced coaches, committed helpers and modern sporting facilities, the initiative once again demonstrates that sport is for everyone, providing opportunities for people of all ages to stay active, learn new skills and enjoy a fun, healthy and rewarding summer.

SportMalta attended the European Union Peer Learning Activity on sport tourism, held on 25 and 26 June 2026 in Salzburg City in Austria. The two-day event, co-funded by the European Union and organised under the Austrian Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport, brought together sport and tourism officials from across EU member states to examine sport tourism as a driver of economic growth and regional development.

SportMalta was represented and delivered a presentation on Malta’s approach to sport tourism. The activity focused on sport as a driver of tourism, examining data-based insights and policy impact through presentations, keynote addresses and panel discussions on the current landscape of sport tourism across Europe and its potential for policy development.

Malta’s Sport Tourism Offer

SportMalta’s presentation outlined the role that sport tourism plays within Malta’s wider tourism strategy, noting its importance in attracting visitors beyond the peak summer season. Malta’s mild climate, coastal environment and modern sports facilities were highlighted as key assets, with the country’s offer spanning football and athletics training camps, diving and water sports, sailing and yachting, and open-water swimming competitions. Cooperation between SportMalta and the Malta Tourism Authority supports shared objectives including diversifying tourism products, reducing seasonality and supporting local economic development through sports events and training camps.

Major International Events

Malta’s recent hosting record formed a central part of the presentation. SportMalta managed the National Pool Complex at Tal-Qroqq and the Cottonera Sports Complex for the World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup Division 2 in 2026, and supported the European Aquatics Champions League Final Four, both of which attracted international athletes, officials and supporters. The annual Rolex Middle Sea Race, departing from the Grand Harbour, and the Traditional Regatta, organised twice yearly by SportMalta, were also cited alongside Special Olympics Malta as events combining sporting and cultural value with measurable tourism impact.

Looking Ahead

Malta’s participation in the Salzburg peer learning activity reflects SportMalta’s ongoing engagement with European sport policy networks and its commitment to positioning the island as a year-round destination for sporting activity and international competition.

The COOP Services National Long Course Championships 2025/26 took place at the SportMalta Cottonera Sport Complex, Cospicua from Thursday 26 June to Sunday 29 June 2026, bringing together 373 athletes representing 17 clubs across four days of competitive long course swimming. The event served as one of the principal fixtures on the national aquatics calendar, attracting participants from across Malta as well as a number of international entries from Turkey and France. Hon. Minister for Education and Sport Byron Camilleri attended the championships, following the ongoing competition, alongside the President of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, Karl Izzo, and the Chief Executive Officer of SportMalta, Mark Cutajar.

A total of 373 athletes — 206 men and 167 women — generated 1,789 individual entries and 81 relay entries across the four days. The championships drew clubs of varying sizes, from large established squads to smaller visiting contingents, with competition spanning all age groups from the youngest categories through to senior open events.

Top Three Clubs

Neptunes WPSC claimed the top spot on the medal table with an emphatic 42 gold, 42 silver, and 24 bronze medals, demonstrating considerable depth across both their male and female squads. Sliema ASC finished second with 32 gold, 9 silver, and 14 bronze medals, while Southwaves Swimming Club rounded out the top three with 11 gold, 9 silver, and 7 bronze medals.

Records Broken

Two age group records fell during the championships. Martina Galea of Aquahub set a new Group C Women’s Age Group Record in the 50m Butterfly, clocking 29.60 to claim gold in that event. Madeleine Cassar of Neptunes WPSC broke the Group D Women’s Age Group Record in the 200m Butterfly, finishing in 2:25.59 in what was an impressive individual championship across multiple events.

International Participation

The championships also welcomed international representation, with Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü from Turkey contributing nine athletes across 34 individual events, alongside entries from Fmv Isik Spor Kulübü, MUC Natation, and individual representatives from Turkey. This international presence added further competitive depth to the proceedings and provided Maltese athletes with the opportunity to race against swimmers from beyond the national circuit.

Inclusive Sport at the Championships

Special Olympics Malta’s participation was a notable feature of the championships. Fourteen athletes — eight men and six women — competed in 24 individual events and two relay entries, reflecting the ongoing integration of Special Olympics athletes into mainstream competitive swimming at national level.

A Strong Close to the Season

With two age group records broken, a medal table topped convincingly by Neptunes WPSC, and a combined total of 1,870 individual and relay entries across 17 clubs, the COOP Services National Long Course Championships 2025/26 represented a fitting and well-attended conclusion to the long course season.