Course for volunteers in sports

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.”