With a timely intervention from the Kunsill Malti ghall-iSport, Athletics Malta managed once again to continue to pursue its youth policy and afford an opportunity of overseas competition to its younger members. This year the venue chosen was another corner of the British Isles, or rather, Cymru – or Wales - as it is perhaps better known.

The Maltese visit there saw the renewal of a friendship forged with Mr Geoffrey Ward, who in 2002 held an appointment in Malta as Athletics Co-Ordinator, being instrumental in introducing the Association’s current youth policy model.

Geoff once again proved invaluable to make the visit a success in every way, reflecting the hospitality for which his country folk are renowned.

The eleven Maltese athletes, whose ages ranged from 12 to 17, under the experienced leadership of Council Member Valerie Farrugia and Track official Frederick Borg, were part of the 200 or so athletes competing at the one-day Wrexham Games.

As on other occasions this past decade, the youngsters proved to be as good as their counterparts of the same age in other countries, as the amount of medals won truly testifies.

The Games were held under unfamiliar climatic conditions, namely a strong ‘breeze’, some rain and a ‘cool’ temperature, quite typical of Northern Wales.

In all the Maltese selection made off with 16 podium finals; four first, seven second and five third place finishes.

Furthermore, most athletes finished first or second in their heats on the way to the finals, in which a few were a close fourth. Nicole Gatt (Under 12) came away with three medals, two silvers and a bronze, while the four outright winners were Ramona Vassallo (U-17) in the discus, Nadine Aquilina (U-15) in the Shot, Julian Sammut (U-15) in the 1,500m and Ian Paul Grech (U-17) in the Long Jump. The other athletes in the party were Eric Borg Saywell and Destinay Vella Busuttil

(U 13), Sasha Cilia, Jana Pace Cocks and Michael Anastasi (U-17) and Junior category athlete Luke Gauci.

A Senior athlete, Mildred Atanasio, also accompanied the group and won a silver in her 200m race. In fact many of the Maltese athletes had to compete with older athletes outside their normal age category as in the UK categories are classified in accordance with the school year ending at the end of September, while the Maltese version follows that of the International Body - as at year’s end.

The Maltese contingent, besides being presented to the Mayor and Mayoress of Wrexham, the Honorary hosts of the Games, were also their guests at a reception to mark the occasion.

While in Wales the group took the opportunity to go to a cultural tour of the landmarks of the city and its environs, a feature at these occasions, realised, as in past years, through the association that Athletics Malta enjoys with its main sponsor Air Malta, which goes a long way to finance the air travel expenses of the youngsters