Bearing in mind the excellent results obtained by Maltese Athletes in the last years, the Maltese Olympic Committee appointed a Commission responsible for running the MOC Elite Scheme.
The aim of the scheme is to identify the most promising athletes who can represent Malta in the various international sports events and provide them with extra support services in order to help them further upgrade their level. These athletes shall still be entitled to the benefits National Team Athletes are entitled to, but shall also benefit from other advantages.
These Schemes will be open to athletes from individual sports only.
The Elite Scheme shall have the following categories: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Youth.
The fact that an athlete is in a lower category does not mean that such athlete is an inferior athlete; the scheme Directors shall allocate the category bearing in mind the:
- annual sports programme
- the sports programme of the coming years
- the level of the athletes
- improvement achieved in previous years
- results obtained by the athlete
- commitment of the athlete to the program’s requirements
- age of the athlete
- the equitable inclusion of athletes from various sports disciplines
A member of the Elite scheme shall be entitled to:
- Membership at the National Pool Gym
- Functional Diagnostic Laboratory Physiology Testing
- Medical Services (injury diagnosis, management of treatment, rehab)
- Physiotherapy and Massage
- Sports Psychology Services
- Nutritional Consultation
Athletes in the Youth Category will have access to a ‘strength and conditioning’ program instead of gym membership.
Conditions
- Athletes will be provided with a uniform to distinguish them as members of the Elite scheme. This uniform is to be worn as directed by the MOC.
- A symbolic Oath of allegiance to the Olympic Ideals will be taken by the Athletes concerned.
- The athlete must follow a year long training and competition program, copy of which is to be submitted to the MOC.
- The athlete must undergo regular FDL testing. A regression in results might jeopardise membership of the scheme.
- The athlete will renounce to the financial benefits of the above schemes if entitled to an Olympic Solidarity Scholarship with more advantageous benefits.
- The Athlete is to participate in all the initiatives of his/her relative Association/Federation and those of the MOC as directed.
- The athlete is to attend the yearly celebration of the Anniversary of the Olympic Movement, with attendance at the Olympic Day Run.
- The Athlete will have to respect the norms of conduct of a professional athlete, both on and off the field of play, abiding by the rules of conduct including those laid down in the Olympic Charter.
- Once an athlete is dropped from the scheme, she/he will not be eligible to re-apply for membership for a minimum 2 month period.
The Directors of the Elite scheme are to review the list of Athletes should circumstances warrant such charges. These evaluations will be based on results obtained, dedication to training schedules, injuries, training programmes and other factors which in the opinion of the Directors affect the decision criteria.
Moreover, international competitions, training camps, sparring partners, etc. shall be proposed by an official nominated by the Federation of the sports concerned and are to be approved by the Elite scheme Commission.
On becoming an Elite member an athlete shall be presented with a certificate to this effect. All athletes are to sign the Elite Athlete contract. In the case of athletes under 18 years of age, one of the parents of the athlete is to countersign such contract.
The Maltese Olympic Committee shall be responsible for the funding of the project. All expenditure authorised shall be according to the laws of Malta regarding VAT, working permits etc. where required.