Events & Activities

Eleanor Bezzina is one of Malta’s most accomplished and respected athletes in the sport of target shooting, specialising in pistol events. Her passion for sport began at a very young age. Before focusing fully on shooting, she was actively involved in team sports, representing Malta at national level in netball and playing water polo with St Julians Water polo Club. These early sporting experiences helped shape her discipline, teamwork, and competitive mindset.

Eleanor went on to build an outstanding international career in shooting, representing Malta at the highest level of competition. She is a two-time Olympian, having competed at the Olympic Games on two separate occasions (Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020), a remarkable achievement that reflects her consistency and high-level performance.

Her success at the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) has been particularly notable. Over the years, she has won three gold medals and one silver medal. She has also delivered strong performances at the Commonwealth Games, where she finished fourth place twice, narrowly missing out on a podium finish.

Beyond these achievements, Eleanor has proudly represented Malta at the Mediterranean Games, European Games, Commonwealth Games, as well as at the European Championships and World Championships in shooting events. Her sustained presence at top-level international competitions highlights both her longevity and her commitment to excellence.

Eleanor has also played a significant leadership role within Team Malta. She has had the honour of serving as Malta’s flag bearer on several occasions, proudly leading Team Malta at major international events. In 2023, when Malta hosted the GSSE, she was appointed Team Captain. In this role, she not only competed but also supported and inspired fellow athletes throughout the Games. As captain, she had the distinguished honour of receiving the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika on behalf of Team Malta.

In addition to her competitive career, Eleanor is a dedicated advocate for athletes. She is a member of the Maltese Olympic Committee representing athletes and serves as Chair of the MOC Athletes’ Commission. Alongside her sporting and administrative commitments, Eleanor serves as a Senior Assistant Registrar at the University of Malta, where she plays an important role in supporting student-athletes as they navigate the dual demands of academic studies and high-performance competitive sport. Passionate about sharing her journey, she strives to inspire others, encouraging young athletes to pursue their dreams with determination, integrity, and pride.

Diane Desira | Athletics

“I was once a young girl who didn’t always believe in herself. Through sport, I discovered confidence, resilience, and the courage to keep going even when the journey was tough. I hope to share those lessons and support the next generation of young athletes as they find their own strength.”

Diane Desira is a sprinter (athletics) from Malta, representing the country at Olympic, World Championship, Commonwealth and GSSE level. She made her Olympic debut at the London 2012 Games, running 12.00s in the 100m preliminaries to qualify for Round 1, where she improved to 11.92s, placing eighth in her heat. A year earlier, she competed at the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu, advancing from the preliminary round with 12.29s and running 12.22s in Round 1. She later represented Malta again at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in the 100 m, 200 m and 4×100 m relay.

At regional level, Borg is a multiple Games of the Small States of Europe medallist. At the 2011 GSSE in Liechtenstein, she won gold in the 200 m, gold in the 4×100 m relay, and silver in the 100 m, helping Malta achieve its best away result in the history of the Games, at the time. Earlier in her career, at the 2005 GSSE in Andorra, she earned silver medals in both the 4×100 m and 4×400 m relays. She also competed at the IAAF World Youth Championships (2005), the European Indoor Championships (2007), and the GSSE 2007 and 2013 editions. A national record-breaker from a young age, Borg set her first senior national 100 m record at just 14 years old. She was also part of teams that set several youth and senior relay records, including the national youth 4×400 m record at the 2005 Jeux des Îles and the national senior 4×400 m mark at the 2005 GSSE.

Her performances earned her some of Malta’s highest sporting honours. Borg was named MAAA Female Athlete of the Year (2005), SportMalta Sportswoman of the Year (2011 and 2012), and Athletics Malta Senior Athlete of the Year (2012). Throughout her career she represented Malta in several major international competitions, including the FISEC Games, Jeux des Îles (Islands Games), Games of Small States of Europe, World Youth Championships, World Championships (Open), European Cup, European Championships (Open), European Indoor Championships, European Athletics U23 Championships, the Olympic Games, and the Commonwealth Games.

Her achievements began early, winning Youth Champion and Youth of the Year in 2004 and 2005, followed by Intermediate Champion and Intermediate of the Year in 2006, and the 1990 category Champion in 2007. She also received recognition at national sports awards, including a Silver Award in the MOC Sports Awards (2005) and a Bronze Award in the MOC Sports Awards (2007). Within Maltese athletics she was named Athletics Athlete of the Year in 2005, 2011, and 2012, and was part of the Athletics Team of the Year (Relay) in 2005 and 2006. Additionally, she finished runner-up for Best Youth by the Għaqda Kittieba Sport Maltin in 2005 and 2006, and was recognised as Sportswoman of the Year in 2011 and 2012.

At the Games of Small States of Europe, Borg secured several medals. In 2005 she won silver in the 4×100m relay and silver in the 4×400m relay. In 2007 she achieved silver in the 4×100m relay and bronze in the 4×400m relay. Her strongest performance came in 2011, where she won silver in the 100m (National Record), gold in the 200m, and gold in the 4×100m relay (National Record).

She also set several outstanding personal bests, many of which became Malta National Records. In the open category, her best times include 11.89 in the 100m (01/06/2011, Liechtenstein), 24.15 in the 200m (02/06/2012, Marsa), 7.60 in the 60m (04/03/2007, Birmingham), 46.30 in the 4×100m relay (04/06/2011, Liechtenstein), and 3:50.29 in the 4×400m relay (2005, Andorra). As a youth athlete, her top performances included 12.11 in the 100m (13/07/2005, Marrakech), 25.22 in the 200m (01/05/2005, Malta), 49.31 in the 4×100m relay (07/05/2005, Malta), and 3:59.21 in the 4×400m relay (2005, Crete).

Lara Gerada | Athletics

“Sport prepared me to dance to any music in life and face everything with positivity, renewed energy and resilience — and this is the mindset I hope to share with the mentees throughout the mentorship programme.”

Lara Gerada is a Maltese track and field athlete best known for her achievements in the long jump and triple jump. She held the national record of triple jump from 1996 – 2014. She also held the national record of long jump and high jump.
She participated at National and International level in athletics for 13 years, She won 7 individual medals in triple jump and long jump in Small Nation games. As well as obtaining a number of credible results other international competitions amongst them European cups, Mediterranean Games 2001 and at FISU World University Games: having got to the final and placed eighth.
Gerada not only established herself as one of Malta’s leading female track and field athletes, but also contributed to the development of Maltese athletics and Sport in general.

Lara is a pharmacist and a nutritionist. She is part-time lecturer, at the University of Malta lecturing in Nutrition and Sports at IPES, and currently works as a consultant on antidoping with AIMS.
Previously she held the post of Director of the Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport, and was instrumental in setting up the National Anti-doping Agency.

Lara also worked for many years as an athletics coach and a lecturer for World Athletics lecturing at the different World Athletics regional centres. She was National coach for Jumps and Hurdles, as well as a personal coach specializing in Jumps, Sprints and Hurdles. She was also a coach and a nutritionist at National Sport School.

She volunteers and offers her services as a nutritionist with GuateMalta Foundation, in Guatemala.Lara has continued to contribute to sport through her wider involvement in health, fitness, and nutrition, reflecting the broader lifestyle values often associated with elite athletic backgrounds. Her experience provides valuable perspective on training, discipline, and long-term wellbeing.

 

Amy Micallef | Swimming / Triathlon

“Our competitive career will eventually come to an end and records might fade, but the mindset sport builds, the discipline, resilience and perspective stays with you. Swimming has shaped the person I am today, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Now I hope to use those experiences in my everyday life and to inspire others.”

Amy is a Maltese swimmer who has represented Malta on the international stage for over a decade. Throughout her career, she achieved multiple age group records, national titles and national records. For nine consecutive years, she won the ASA of Malta Swimming Leagues in the Cadets, Junior and then Open Category Female divisions; a testament to her consistency and progression through the ranks. At just 14 years old, in 2012, she became the youngest swimmer in Malta to break a national record; an early milestone that signalled both her talent and determination.

Following medal-winning performances at the COJI Island Games, she was awarded the MOC Special Merit Award (2011 and 2012). She has also been nominated multiple times and was a finalist for Youth Athlete of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year. Her development was further recognised through her selection to the Maltese Olympic Committee Youth Development Scheme, supporting the country’s most promising young athletes.

Amy went on to represent Malta in three editions of the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE 2017, 2019, 2023), and three editions of the FINA World Swimming Championships (2015, 2017, and 2019), competing among the world’s elite athletes.

While her journey includes significant achievements, it has also been shaped by moments of challenge. She narrowly missed qualification for the Youth Olympic Games and selection for Olympic Games on two occasions, experiences that profoundly influenced her personal and athletic development. Rather than defining her by disappointment, these setbacks strengthened her resilience and perspective. They reinforced the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and long-term vision, qualities that continue to guide her today.

Alongside her sporting career, Amy has placed strong emphasis on education and personal growth. She wrote her dissertation on Maltese dual-career athletes, exploring the balance between high-performance sport and academic development. This research deepened her understanding of athlete wellbeing and identity beyond sport, while equipping her with practical tools to navigate setbacks and transitions with clarity and purpose.

Amy is passionate about athlete development and the empowerment of women in sport. She believes in the importance of visibility, mentorship, and strong support systems in helping young female athletes build confidence, manage performance pressure, and pursue sustainable success both in sport and beyond.

Sana Grillo | Artistic Gymnastics

“Train your body to perform, but train your mind to believe you belong there” 

Sana Grillo is a 25-year-old Maltese athlete and Sport Psychology Practitioner whose life has consistently revolved around high-performance sport. She began her journey as a member of the Maltese Gymnastics National Team, dedicating over a decade to the discipline and representing Malta in numerous international competitions. A major milestone in her gymnastics career was competing at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, where she also finished as a reserve finalist on two apparatus. She further earned multiple medals at the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) and the Island Games, marking some of the proudest moments of her early athletic career.

Five years ago, she embraced a new challenge by transitioning into athletics, specialising in Pole Vault as part of the Maltese National Athletics Team. Since then, she has become a four-time National Champion and secured a bronze medal at the GSSE, as well as a third-place finish at the European Team Championships. Transitioning between two high-performance sports has shaped her not only physically but mentally, strengthening her resilience, adaptability, and determination.

Alongside her athletic career, she pursued her academic passion for psychology. She completed a three-year undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Malta and later obtained a Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Staffordshire University. She is currently mentored by Dr. Adele Muscat, one of Malta’s leading sport psychologists.

As a Sport Psychology Practitioner, Sana works closely with athletes, coaches, and parents through group workshops, one-to-one sessions, and in-club observation. Her work focuses on helping athletes develop a resilient mindset, enhance wellbeing, and optimise performance. Having personally experienced the psychological demands of elite sport, she is deeply committed to mentorship and athlete development. She believes that sport psychology is not only a support system during challenging periods, but also a proactive tool to unlock potential and cultivate confident, self-aware performers.

Beyond sport, she describes herself as bubbly, charismatic, and always eager to embrace new opportunities and meaningful connections.

Laurie Pace | Taekwondo

“Passing the torch” to me means supporting those who follow, sharing knowledge and experience, and watching something you care about continue its journey with renewed momentum. Whatever experience I gathered during my sporting career is something I believe should be passed on to help guide and inspire the next generation.

Laurie Pace is one of Malta’s most accomplished and respected sporting figures, widely regarded as a pioneer of Maltese judo on the international stage. Representing Malta for an extraordinary 24 years, Laurie built a competitive career defined by longevity, consistency, and historic achievement.

A three-time Olympian, she competed at the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Atlanta, and Sydney, proudly carrying Malta’s colours at the highest level of international sport. She was the Flag bearer on two occasions. Her participation across three Olympic cycles reflects not only elite performance standards but also remarkable durability in a physically demanding discipline.

Laurie made history at the Commonwealth Games in New Zealand, where she secured Malta’s first-ever medal for Malta at these Games—an achievement that marked a defining milestone for Maltese sports. On the global stage, she competed extensively in World and European Championships, with her strongest result being an impressive 7th place finish at the World Championships, positioning her among the elite judoka worldwide.

Domestically, Laurie’s dominance was unparalleled. She remained unbeaten as National Champion for 23 consecutive years, a testament to her technical superiority, tactical intelligence, and unwavering commitment to excellence. She also represented Malta in five editions of the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE), earning an outstanding medal tally of three silver and two gold medals.

Following her athletic sporting career, Laurie continued to serve Maltese sport at an executive level. She was elected to the Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) Board for two consecutive terms, contributing her experience and strategic insight to the governance and development of sport in Malta.

In recognition of her extraordinary contribution to sport, Laurie Pace has been inducted into the Hall of Fame, cementing her legacy as one of Malta’s greatest athletes. Her career continues to inspire future generations of judokas and athletes, exemplifying dedication, resilience, and national pride at the highest levels of international competition.

Dr. Maya Podesta | Sailing

 “Sport has given me so much over the years, and giving back is both a privilege and a responsibility.”

Dr Maya Podesta comes from one of Malta’s most distinguished offshore sailing families. Her late father, Arthur Podesta, was a pioneer of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, competing in every edition of the race from its inception in 1968 until his passing in 2015. Growing up in this environment, Maya developed a deep connection with the sea and with offshore racing from an early age.

Maya began sailing in her early teens, initially inspired by her brothers, Aaron and Christoph Podesta. The family yacht Elusive joined the Podesta fleet in 1999, and under their father’s guidance the siblings quickly immersed themselves in competitive sailing. Over the years, the Podestas established themselves as a formidable presence in Mediterranean offshore racing, ultimately achieving overall victories in the 606-nautical-mile Rolex Middle Sea Race in 2019 and 2020.

Maya first competed in the race in 2001 aboard Wet Blue, the same year she began studying for a degree in Doctor of Medicine and Surgery. Alongside her keelboat sailing, she also pursued dinghy racing, moving into the Laser class after several years coaching young Optimist sailors at a local club. As a newly graduated doctor, Maya balanced the demanding commitments of medical training with high-performance sport.

Her competitive achievements include winning a silver medal for Malta at the Games of the Small States of Europe in 2009. She subsequently launched a campaign to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics, competing in European and World Championships as well as World Cup events. While narrowly missing Olympic qualification, the experience proved formative both professionally and personally.

Today, Maya works as a Public Health Medicine specialist and consultant, with her sailing primarily focused on keelboat racing. Having completed 19 editions of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, she was part of the team that realised a lifelong family ambition when Elusive 2 secured overall victory in 2019, a feat repeated in 2020.

Beyond sailing, Maya maintains a strong interest in environmental responsibility and the protection of the marine environment that has shaped much of her life.

Elaine Genovese | Squash

“Success in tennis and in life comes from doing what you truly love, committing to work hard every single day, and trusting that the effort will always pay off. There will be challenges, losses, and moments of doubt, but the key is to keep moving forward no matter what. Stay passionate, stay disciplined, and never stop believing in the journey.”

Elaine Genovese is one of Malta’s most accomplished tennis players, recognised for her leadership, and success representing Malta in international competitions. Genovese has been a central figure in Maltese tennis for more than a decade, competing regularly on the international circuit while also contributing significantly to Malta’s national team programmes.

Genovese began playing tennis at a young age and steadily progressed through Malta’s competitive ranks before establishing herself on the professional circuit, primarily competing in tournaments on the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour. Over the course of her career, she has secured three ITF doubles titles, demonstrating particular strength in the doubles discipline.

A cornerstone of Genovese’s career has been her contribution to Maltese national teams, representing Malta extensively in the Billie Jean King Cup, and adding dozens of appearances and memorable results for Malta across singles and doubles ties.

Genovese is a thirteen-time medallist at the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) winning four silver and three bronze medals across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.

One of the defining moments of her career came at the 2022 Mediterranean Games in Oran, where Genovese partnered with fellow Maltese player Francesca Curmi to secure a historic silver medal in women’s doubles—the first tennis medal ever won by Malta at the Mediterranean Games.

Beyond her results on court, Genovese has played an important role in Maltese sport as a leader and role model. She was selected as one of Malta’s flag bearers at the Games of the Small States of Europe, reflecting both her sporting achievements and her standing within the national sporting community.

Through her sustained commitment to competition, representation of Malta at the highest level, and contribution to historic results for Maltese tennis, Elaine Genovese remains one of the country’s most respected and influential tennis players.

Dr. Michelle Vella Wood | Swimming

“The most amazing, yet terrifying moment of my life was on the starting line at the Baku European Games. It is an honour to help prepare the next generation for that experience.”

Dr Michelle Vella Wood represented Malta in cycling in the 2015 Baku European Games and the 2017 San Marino Small Nations games where she won a team silver medal together with her teammates. She also represented Malta in the 2017 World Games Indoor Rowing event in Poland. Michelle is also a former multiple Maltese National Triathlon, Cycling Road and Time Trial, Athletics Junior Road Race as well as Indoor Rowing 2000mNational Champion as well as a 5 time Ironman finisher with various podium finishes in the different sports over her 34 year sporting career.

She holds a PhD in tendon biomechanical properties, a Master’s degree in Business Administration, a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship, and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Biology. She is a World Triathlon Level 2 certified triathlon coach and a World Cycling Centre Level 3 cycling coach, with full compliance in safeguarding, anti-doping, body confidence, and prevention of competition manipulation CPD.