Young Maltese Struggle to Stay in Sport Amid Modern Pressures

Picture this: the scorching sun beating down on the tarmac of the Marsa Sports Complex. A group of young footballers, drenched in sweat, huddle around their coach. But instead of the usual post-match debrief, they’re discussing something far removed from the game – the struggle to balance their sporting dreams with the demands of modern life.

This isn’t an isolated scene. Across Malta, young athletes are grappling with pressures that threaten to sideline them from the sports they love. From the rising cost of equipment and club fees to the increasing academic pressure and the allure of digital distractions, the challenges are mounting.

Let’s talk money. The cost of participating in sports is on the rise. Take football boots, for instance. A decent pair can set you back around €100. Multiply that by the number of players in a team, and you’re looking at a hefty sum. Then there are club fees, tournament entry costs, and the not-so-infrequent trips to mainland Europe for competitions.

Take the case of the young players at Msida Saint Joseph Football Club. Their coach, Joe Borg, tells us, “We’re constantly having to fundraise to keep the club afloat. It’s tough on the kids and their families. Some have to choose between paying for their hobby or their studies.”

Academic pressure is another significant factor driving young athletes off the field. With the emphasis on education growing, many feel they have to choose between their studies and their sports. The pressure is particularly intense in Malta’s competitive education system.

Dr. Maria Attard, a psychologist who works with young athletes, explains, “The pressure to perform academically is immense. Many young people feel they have to give up their sports to focus on their studies. It’s a real shame because sports offer so much more than just physical exercise – they teach teamwork, resilience, and time management.”

Then there’s the elephant in the room – or rather, in the pocket. The rise of digital distractions is pulling young people away from the sports field and onto the couch. From gaming to social media, the allure of the screen is hard to resist.

Malta’s digital penetration is one of the highest in the EU. According to Eurostat, 96% of households have internet access. That’s a lot of potential time spent online, away from the sports field. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Some clubs are embracing technology, using apps to communicate with players and even offering online coaching sessions.

Despite the challenges, there are initiatives keeping young Maltese in sport. The Malta Olympic Committee’s ‘Get Malta Moving’ campaign, for instance, encourages physical activity in schools. Local councils are also stepping up, offering subsidized sports activities and facilities.

But more can be done. We need to make sports more affordable, reduce academic pressure, and harness technology to engage, not disengage, young people. We need to remind our youth that they don’t have to choose between their studies and their sports. They can, and should, do both.

As Malta’s Minister for Youth, Sports and Voluntary Organisations, Dr. Clifton Grima, puts it, “Sports are not just about winning. They’re about learning, growing, and becoming better individuals. We must do everything we can to keep our young people in sport.”