Two proposed projects to give special attention to the foundation level of sport, submitted by the Youth Directorate, have been approved by the MOC Council, with all the Federation delegates agreeing that the projects were a necessity.

The first project presented by the Youth Director is aimed at the reorganisation of all the clubs of the Federations affiliated to the MOC, by ensuring that modern rules and regulations required by European voluntary services are in place. These rules mainly concern Maltese sports clubs. The second project is a technical formation system, which is widely used all over the world.

The administration reorganisation is intended to help the Federations’ sports clubs conform to modern legislation for the benefit of their members. This is a system whereby the clubs officially recognised by the National Federation review their infrastructure, and upgrade the organisation where necessary.

For example, the clubs review their statutes and also the agreements with their coaches and assistant coaches, they ensure that proper risk management and parent agreements are in order, and that they follow the proper directions for child protection. Some clubs already conform with most of these requirements, but the MOC will provide any help necessary to those that need assistance to implement these upgrades.

The MOC will publish on their website, under the Sport Federation to which they are affiliated, the appropriate grade achieved by clubs, thereby giving future members the opportunity to check the level of the club they will be joining.

On a technical basis, the MOC will be introducing Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD).

This concept is already applied in most developed countries around the world, and in order to introduce it in Malta, Dr Lisa McIver has been invited to give an introductory lecture. Dr McIver is coming to Malta at the invitation of the European Judo Union and is one of the lecturers at the EJU Education Seminar being held at the Dolmen Hotel in Qawra on 9, 10 and 11 July.

Coaches affiliated to the National Federations, as well as members of the MOC, have been invited to attend this semi-nar.

The Youth Directorate has made a point of starting a campaign to encourage young Maltese to participate in sport.

The success at the recent Games of the Small States of Europe has created a great demand, with more aspiring young athletes wanting to joint Team Malta. As the MOC said: “every winner has a team”. Our responsibility is to strengthen those teams.