The Maltese Olympic Committee this week announced the launch of the Youth Athlete Support Scheme.
The scheme launch, which was delayed due to the COVID-19, will see 47 athletes, representing 14 different sporting disciplines benefit from funding which will not only contribute towards international competition participation – where possible but also for the use of professional services that include physiotherapy, nutrition, sports psychology and testing at the Functional Diagnostic Laboratory.
The scheme has seen a different format introduced this year. Athletes have been placed into different categories – the placement a result of their results, ranking, capabilities, and future potential.
The programme is divided into four categories.
Youth Elite is aimed towards athletes who are U-18 years of age and are already highly ranked on a World or European Level.
Youth Development groups those athletes U-18 who are already obtaining good results in international competitions while Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) is for those U-18 athletes, who are excelling in their sport and have the potential to develop into Youth Elite athletes.
A new category, Intermediate Elite, will support athletes who previously fell under the Youth Elite class who have now reached 18 years but are still progressing well in their sport.
An additional benefit introduced this year was support towards gym memberships. This was introduced since many athletes were hindered from travelling due to COVID-19.
“The Maltese Olympic Committee regards these athletes as the future of sport in Malta,” Paul Sultana, chairman of the Youth Commission said.
“They have been chosen based on their performances and we look at them as being contributors towards Malta’s success at the forthcoming GSSE to be held in Malta in 2023.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunities for and access to many of these athletes chosen sports have been hindered, however, despite the limitations these athletes have continued to remain motivated and trained as much as has been possible under the circumstances.
“We are confident that they will remain committed towards bringing pride to Malta in 2023”
BENEFICIARIES
Long Term Athlete Development
Athletics: Kyle Caruana, Mireya Cassar, Sarah Chouhal, Alessia Cristina, Jacob Greengrass.
Badminton: Francesca Clark.
Gymnastics: Ella Borg, Tara Vella Clark.
Karate: Allie Zammit, Matthew Vella.
Judo: Clive Camilleri, Kirsty Cauchi, Chris Sammut Bartolo.
Sailing: Matthew Flores, Jake Mallia, Benjamin Vassallo.
Shooting: Matthias Azzopardi, Mariah Busuttil.
Aquatic sport: Andre Camilleri, Maya Galea.
Table tennis: James Vella Vidal, Conrad Puli.
Tennis: Alex Degabriele, Jessica Dimech
Bowling: Kayden Lagana, Nicholas Muscat, Dwayne Zahra, Edward Xuereb.
Weightlifting Rylee Borg
Intermediate Level
Athletics: Omar El Aida
Shooting: Mikaela Galea.
Tennis: Liam Delicata.
Bowling: Sara Xuereb, Matthew Magro.
Youth Development
Athletics: Rachela Pace, Kurt Zahra, Jeremy Zammit
Golf: Laurens Schulze Doering.
Shooting: Liam Sciberras, Nico Sciberras
Sailing: Antonia Schulteis, Saul Vassallo.
Squash: Lijana Sultana.
Table-tennis Anthea Cutajar.
Tennis: Matthew Griscti.
Weightlifting: Tenishia Thorn-
ton.
Youth Elite
Sailing: Richard Schulteis.
