The secret of Pembroke's success

On most days there's only one person on an athlete's mind: him or herself.

Irrespective of whether the aim is to win an event, better a personal best or even that of simply finishing a race, there is little scope for club or national allegiance.

Yet, rare as they might be, there are also occasions when athletes join together in the name of the common good.

Athletics Malta's Clubs League is one such example, a series of three meets where the athletes strive not for individual honour as per norm but rather to see their club come out on top.

It is a competition that in recent years Pembroke Athleta have always started as clear favourites and this year is no different. With their mixture of experienced and upcoming athletes in a wide range of events, they've got the strength in depth that really makes a difference.

"In the Clubs League you can feel the co-ordination within a group. This is one of the few opportunities where athletes compete as a team so you have to do your utmost," Victor Camilleri, the president and the man who has been at the heart of Pembroke Athleta for the past 20 years, told The Times.

"There is pressure on the athletes but also on us because we have to get everyone prepared. Athletes have different targets on their mind: there are those getting ready for the FISEC Games, those gearing up for an international competition and even some hopefuls for the Olympics."

It is difficult this year to see where a challenge could come from.

"Other clubs do take the league seriously, but they don't have the spread of athletes we have. We've got all the processes in place so that we can organise ourselves for this competition," Camilleri reckoned.

Pembroke have a wide mix of athletes, most of whom they've nurtured since they were mere beginners. But this is no easy job.

"We lack facilities and equipment particularly in primary schools," Camilleri said.

"There's very little time for them to take part in any physical activity. Half an hour simply isn't enough. You can have as many policies as you want but the reality is a different picture."

There is also football's long shadow that darkens their skies.

"You have to consider that now there is a synthetic pitch practically in every locality but only two tracks available for us. For a parent it is much easier to take children to a local football nursery then to drive to Marsa," Camilleri said.

"It is a growing problem because now they're also setting up girls' teams which are also drying up the talent pool."

Despite everything, Camilleri and his hard-working staff at Pembroke Athleta keep pushing on.

"Our target is to keep building on what we have and try to tap up localities where we haven't been as yet. Sometimes it isn't the Physical Education teacher who introduces someone to our attention but rather someone else," Camilleri said.

"So, you have to keep working and looking for talent."

The Club's League kicks off today at 6 p.m. at Marsa. Two further meets are scheduled for July 9 and 23.