Birkirkara St. Joseph’s closure a stark warning for voluntary organisations

After nearly 50 years of shaping Malta’s sporting landscape, Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club announced its closure earlier this week, citing an increasingly challenging environment for voluntary organizations.

Known for its pioneering role in open water swimming and as a long-standing organizer of triathlons, the club has left an indelible mark on Malta’s sporting history.

Club general secretary Euchar Camilleri reflected on the decision while speaking to the Times of Malta.

“We are proud of what we achieved and the community we built. Our events, from triathlons to open water swimming races, have fostered countless athletes and brought people together. However, maintaining operations at the high standards we’ve always aimed for has become unsustainable,” he said.

Camilleri highlighted that the club’s calendar was relentless, organizing 22 events annually across five disciplines.

“We are involved in an event every two weeks. Each required risk assessments, insurance, and compliance with various regulations. It’s a fulfilling work, but the administrative, financial and logistical burdens have grown tremendously,” he added.

The shift in good governance and compliance requirements for sports organizations was a key factor in the club’s decision.

“We are in favour of good governance in sport,” Camilleri said.

“I attended EU congresses on this as early as 2003. But in Malta, most organisations are voluntary, and these new obligations are overwhelming for us. Deadlines must be met, or fines will follow. This has turned into a burden rather than a passion.”

He also noted the risks faced by individuals in leadership positions under current regulations:

“The law does not call the club to account; it calls me, personally. Thankfully, we’ve never had an incident, but the risk is always there, and it’s a lot to shoulder for a volunteer. It deters others from stepping up, no matter how passionate they are.”

“Efforts to ensure the club’s continuity proved difficult, underlying the struggles in world of voluntary work.

“We worked on a succession plan for two years, offering administrative courses and seeking volunteers, but we failed to find replacements. You can’t do this forever, and without new blood, the club couldn’t continue,” Camilleri explained.

The club has long advocated for more support from entities like SportMalta and the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport (AIMS).

“We asked for an office that could assist voluntary organizations with paperwork and liaising with authorities. With over 400 associations, this help is vital. Unfortunately, the response has always been no,” Camilleri said.

Community response

Birkirkara SJ’s decision to close its doors has inevitably drawn an overwhelming outpour of support, which Camilleri admitted was unexpected.

“Athletes, from both Malta and Gozo, have expressed disappointment. They trained hard for our events. Some competitions were the peak of their season, and we hope they continue to be held under new organisers.”

Founded nearly 50 years ago by visionaries Frans Borg and Mario Borg and other founding members, the club was built on principles of education in sport.

Mario’s insistence on naming it a sports club rather than a football club ensured it embraced multiple disciplines.

“Our founding fathers believed in inclusivity and fostering talent across all sports. That vision carried us through decades of growth and innovation,” Camilleri said.

As the club closes its doors, Camilleri remains hopeful for change.

”There’s been some movement to support voluntary organisations, but more is needed. The sporting landscape has changed, and unless these challenges are addressed, other clubs may face the same fate.”

While the club’s closure marks the end of an era, its contribution to Malta’s sporting community remains a testament to its enduring legacy.