The Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) Carded Athletes’ Scheme is part of its ongoing commitment to nurturing Malta’s most promising sporting talent.
Designed to identify and support athletes with the potential to represent Malta on the international stage, the Scheme provides access to a range of enhanced services aimed at enhancing performance and fostering long-term development.
In line with this mission, the MOC recently hosted a series of certificate presentation events, recognising over 300 athletes selected to join the scheme following a review of their achievements during the 2024 season.
Selections were based on the Athlete Development Matrix – an evaluative tool developed in collaboration with affiliated Associations and Federations to ensure a holistic and sport-specific approach to talent progression.
The Athlete Development Pathway, which spans from D1 through to Elite, takes into account key factors such as age, maturation, the unique characteristics of each sport, and the realities of Malta’s sporting environment.
Athletes at the D1 level are recognised for showing strong national potential, while those in the Elite category are competing consistently at the highest international levels.
Each event began with welcoming remarks by MOC Director of Youth, Johanna Grech. Grech emphasised the joint responsibility between the MOC and its athletes in building a strong and sustainable sporting future and culminated in the presentation of certificates.
“These events serve not only as a recognition of achievement but also as an opportunity to share crucial information and reaffirm the MOC’s commitment to nurturing Malta’s sporting talent,” she noted.
Throughout each session, Director of Sport Charlene Attard delivered an in-depth overview of the scheme, explaining how athletes can access funding across various categories and how their progression within the matrix is monitored and validated.
She also highlighted the comprehensive range of support services provided by the MOC, including nutrition, sport psychology, strength and conditioning, flow training, physiotherapy, and medical care.
MOC’s Luigi Sammut delivered an engaging session on the Functional Diagnostic Laboratory (FDL) programme, emphasising the importance of regular testing and explaining how performance data can be used to tailor training and recovery strategies for optimal results. Nutritionist Fleur Bugeja shared practical guidance on nutrition before, during, and after competition.
Complementing this session were expert contributions from Dr Bernice Sant and Ms Rosanne Rocco, who provided valuable insights into the role of sport psychology in athlete development.
Strength and Conditioning Coaches Tina De Martino, Liam Harrison and Brenda Muscat also addressed the athletes, highlighting best practices for building physical resilience and performance readiness.
Closing the event, Charlene Attard remarked: “This initiative goes far beyond a simple presentation – it marks the start of a more structured journey for each athlete. Our role is to provide the tools and environment that allow talent to thrive. We are here to support, guide and invest in athletes who are serious about reaching their full potential.”
Full details of the Scheme and its beneficiaries can be found on the MOC’s website – https://nocmalta.org/resources-for-athletes/the-carded-athlete-scheme/
