First group of MOC Youth Development Scheme Athletes announced

The Maltese Olympic Commit‐ tee hosted the first session of Award Certification for athletes falling under the Youth Devel‐ opment scheme.

The Development Scheme was launched through the efforts of the Technical Commission led by Director of Sport Charlene Attard and Director of Youth Jo‐ hanna Grech. The Commission has been working closely with the technical directors of the various affiliated Federations and Association.

Based on this input, a matrix was developed consisting of several levels that athletes have been placed under. Depending on the category they fall under, athletes will benefit from fund‐ ing, access to the MOC’s Func‐ tional Diagnostic Laboratory as well as other services.

The first group of athletes to benefit from this scheme repre‐ sent various disciplines includ‐ ing Artistic Swimming, Badminton, Golf, Karate, Squash, Swimming, Triathlon and Weightlifting.

“The athlete selection process was meticulously designed to uphold transparency and en‐ sure that fair play is observed by all athletes. These measures are essential for the Maltese Olympic Committee and every member of Team Malta, empha‐ sizing our commitment to in‐ tegrity and equality in sports” remarked Johanna Grech, in her address to the athletes.

Grech further emphasized that alongside the prestige of being part of the programme athletes’ shoulder certain responsibili‐ ties. Athletes must recognise that their role extends beyond competitions, training, and se‐ lection periods; they are ex‐ pected to embody the essence of being role models consis‐ tently, both on and off the field of play.

Ms. Grech concluded by ac‐ knowledging the work and sup‐ port of the parents and reminded the athletes what an important part of their success they are.

Certificates were presented to the athletes by MOC Secretary General Kevin Azzopardi and Johanna Grech.

Selected Athletes Artistic Swimming

Ana Culic, Thea Grima Buttigieg, Zea Montfort, Emily Ruggier

Badminton

Emily Abela, Dayle Bugelli, Jacob Busuttil, Juan Casaru, Samuel Cassar, Francesca Clark, Martina Clark, Jeremy Gatt, Jodie Gafa Craus, Suzie Gafa Craus, Julia Galea, Julia Saliba, Monique Vella.

Golf

Serena Falzon Sant Manduca, Mark Ganado, Filippa Schulze Doering

Karate

Thyis Antonelli, Jenna Awad Attia, Mikele Bonnici, Ashley Borg, , Isaac Gatt, Jaden Grech, Dakota Micallef Gauci, Emma Mizzi, Mariah Mizzi, Evie Roadley‐Battin, Francesca Sal‐ iba, Kaya Sultana Valentine, Jes‐ sica Vella

Squash

Alexandra Agius, Venita De‐ giorgio, Mattea Saliba, Julian Scerri, Lijana Sultana

Swimming

Sophia Allen, Victoria Balderacchi, Yulya Bonnici, Nathan Cachia, Nina Cachia,

GabrielCamilleri, Martina Marie Camilleri, Michela Camil‐ leri, Samuel Camilleri, Alisa Camilleri, Julia Camilleri, Zea Caruana Garzia, Ema Cassar, Ema Liz Cassar, Emily Cassar, Madeleine Cassar, Elisa Ceccato , Isaac Ciantar, Kirsty Delia, Thomas Ellul, Roanna Farrugia, Ella Fenech Attard, Thomas Gatt, Luca Grixti, Russell Grixti, John Hick, Peyton Kruger , Nir‐ vana, Micallef, Mattea Micallef, Julia Mizzi, Ayden Mujic, Michela Portelli, Liam Rodenas, Italo Salamone, Matthew Satar‐ iano, Caine Schembri, Nolan Vella, Cristina Vidal, Julienne Woods, Beata Xerri de Caro, Luke Zammit.

Triathlon

Keira Attard, Kai Azzopardi, Liam Daly, Chylen Fava, Ryan Muscat

Weightlifting

Rylee Borg, Kim Camilleri La‐ gana, Kaya Curmi Inguanez , Aaliyah Gatt, Nathan Mifsud, Tenishia Thornton