The Malta Sail Training Association launches its 2017/2018 program with the support of the Alfred Mizzi Foundation.

In a recent board meeting the Alfred Mizzi Foundation unanimously approved to support the initiative of the Malta Sail Training Association in its youth development program.

The Sail training environment places individuals from all walks of life on an equal footing without the comforts of modern day living.

The sailing experience challenges boundaries; mental physical and social, improving the individual skill and capabilities within a team structure.

This exciting environment takes individual out of their comfort zone and into exciting new situations introducing and nurturing essential life skills such as teamwork, individual and civic responsibility.

Since its inception five years ago, the Malta Sail Training Association has been able to provide increased confidence and life skills to Maltese youths ensuring them of a career path in the sailing industry or acting as a springboard to a career of their choice and enabling them to become responsible active members of society.

When asked about the importance of sail training when compared to other educational environments, Ben Stuart responded “Malta's wilderness is the sea and a Sail training vessel provides the perfect environment to place people on the edge of their comfort zone. This is proven as the greatest place to promote individual growth and development. Malta, like any society, has a need to harness and reintegrate those who have become disillusioned with the society around them. Over the past few years we have successfully taken 50 individuals from all walks of life on Sail training experiences and whilst we continue this program our aspiration is to obtain a Sail training vessel to operate out of Malta. With the support of the Alfred Mizzi Foundation we have taken a step closer to that dream.”

Board Member Jane Mizzi presented the cheque to Ben Stuart, secretary of the Malta Sail training Association.

"We are very excited to be able to collaborate with the Malta Sail Training Association in order to provide Maltese youth and underprivileged individuals with a the opportunity to explore their potential"

The Alfred Mizzi foundation has for the past 14 years pursued the promotion and safeguarding of the Maltese culture, its heritage, education, the environment and social solidarity. These noble aspirations are shared by the Malta Sail Training Association and it was this synergy that was instrumental forming this collaboration.

"On an island nation such as ours, the Alfred Mizzi Foundation is very aware of the need to place our youths in an environment which allows them to grow and develop as strong individuals, we have a particular desire to see what this program can do for those youths who are in a disadvantaged position. We are very excited by the possibilities that this collaboration presents and we look forward to being part of this program in the coming years." Board chairman Derek Vella said.

Individuals interested in being part of the Malta Sail Training Association, as volunteers or as participants please do contact us through our facebook page.