Michela Zammit has played water polo since she was eight years old.  'My father used to play, so from a very young age, I used to spend my winter and summer days in a water polo environment," she says. "While I was watching a game, Joe Sciortino, a prominent name in local water polo and my father's friend, suggested that I should give it a try."

Since then Michela never looked back, even though the sport is demanding. "Water polo isn't an easy sport," she says. "It requires lots of dedication and motivation to start. Playing in water is a constant struggle. It was very hard when I started because I had to learn how to swim well and then learn the basic skills of the sport." At first the main aim was to work on her fitness and swimming technique.  Now, she is focusing on the technical and tactical aspects of the game. 

Michela is surrounded by coaches and team-mates who have now become her second family.  "All my coaches are incredibly dedicated. They are all different, but every coach has something to offer. I have a very good relationship with all of them," she says. "As a girl, it isn't that easy for me to be accepted in a boys' team. But I train and play as hard as they do so we have built up mutual respect."  Michela trains in and plays water polo in Malta and is now part of the prestigious Sicilian Messina team, which competes in the Italian A1 waterpolo league.

"'It all started because Exiles, my local team, brought in Maurizio Mirarchi, an Italian coach, as Exiles' senior team coach," Michela explains. "During summer, he asked me to train in Sicily with Messina, a professional Serie A1 team he was coaching. For the past year, I have gone there to train with the junior and senior teams. I am now a registered player and during weekends I can play in their junior leagues as well."

Michela describes this experience as a dream come true. "In Malta training is very well organised but not as professional as it is in Italy, mainly due to lack of pool space," she says. "As for playing, it's quite different because in Malta I play with boys and in Sicily I play with and against only girls."

She goes on to explain what she thinks needs to be done for water polo in Malta: "I think the sport deserves much more attention in Malta. Although there are many clubs, we only have one pool and it is shared by everyone."  She comments also on water polo for girls and women.  "On a personal level, being a girl is a struggle in all senses. You have to play with boys and accept that fact from the start," she says.

"You have to earn the respect of boys and coaches which is not as easy as it sounds. Ladies water-polo has now started but still is in its infant stage. There is no junior girl water polo league or nurseries for girls, but I think progress is being made. My team already has seven girls under 17 which is quite a good number."

Our conversation shifts to how her life differs from that of other teenagers.  Her weekly routine is packed and time-management is critical. "I have very limited time to do anything else. I have to manage my time constantly, and can't afford idle time. For example, I never watch television as I don't have any time for it," she says. "Also, I have to limit the time I spend going out during the weekend. I need to sleep early because I have early morning training sessions and also games.

"I have a lot of sessions every day, one after the other, as I form part of different age groups and I am also on the national team. I usually train an average of 3-4 hours a day between school, pool and gym. The pool is open so you are always exposed to the weather. Bad weather is no excuse to skip training," continues Michela.

Lots people support Michela continuously to help her realise her dream. "I have a huge amount of support from my family as they're always taking me up to Sicily and also to all my training sessions in Malta. They support me in water polo, school and obviously life," Michela says, adding that she hopes that all these sacrifices will eventually result in her ultimate dream becoming true.

"My wish is to play water polo professionally abroad. For this to happen I need to be determined and have the will to improve and keep pushing at all costs. The competition is fierce and only the best will make it."

Apart from sport, Michela also has study commitments. This year, she started to attend the National Sports School in Pembroke which she describes as another important milestone in her life.  "The school is an incredible experience. I was initially attracted to it because it offered extra training sessions during school time, but being a pupil there I am constantly amazed at the level of attention given to academic subjects.

"The school offers the best coaches possible for every sport and is also very understanding towards sport commitments like mine. The school administration are on top of things, and teachers are always available in break time to make up for lost lessons. I found this very helpful vis-à-vis my water-polo commitments abroad. For anyone who has a sport ambition, the National Sport School is definitely the school to attend."

Michela's dedication to sport is self-evident and it's admirable to see a teenager working so hard to reach her aim. But what has sport given her?  "I feel that sport is helpful and essential to my development. You learn to push yourself to your limits, to compete and it helps you interact with children of your age. I definitely wouldn't be heathy and fit if it wasn't for my sport. Even though I have to work and train hard, I always feel more relaxed after a training session."

Realising one's dream is not impossible. It takes working hard, keeping focused, being organised and accepting the support of your loved ones. Michela's well on her way. No doubt, we will hear more about her's accomplishments here and elsewhere in the coming years.›‹