In an interview given by Aquatic Sports Association president Austin Sammut to Alex Vella, the ASA top man gives his views on local waterpolo in the wake of the 2010 season.

Has the 2010 season been a successful one in general terms?

It depends. It was successful in the sense that we had some very keen encounters at Division One and Two. On the other hand, we had a reduced number of teams in certain competitions in the age group brackets, something which does not augur well for the future.

Unfortunately, the season was somewhat marred by violent incidents and controversies involving the competition rules.

A working group to review these rules will be set up.

Two teams have been dominating local waterpolo for some years now. Is there a need for a better distribution of the balance of power?

I’m sure all will agree that there should be a better distribution of the balance of power. This time we were hoping that, at least, San Ġiljan would be challengers, but this was not to be. In fact, we had two levels in Division One, with a substantial number of points dividing the first two from the second three, and this seems to have justified the ASA’s decision to have five teams in this category.

Exiles are constantly improving and had a good season. The same may be said of Otters in Division Two. Sirens are in a period of transition and are giving the right attention to their juniors, having won the U-16 and U-19 leagues with impressive teams.

Do you agree with the engagement of foreigners by junior teams?

The question of foreigners at junior level is both delicate and controversial. There are various arguments put forward.

On the one hand, the recruitment of junior foreigners will limit space for local boys. On the other hand, it is also argued that without foreigners certain teams would not be in a position to field a junior side.

At senior level, foreign players will enrich the game and also provide a platform for the exchange of players between Malta and other countries. There are also European Community law aspects which might come into play. I feel all arguments have their own validity.

You have been the subject of unsavoury personal comments in certain sections of the media, including websites. Your reaction.

We had a season full of controversy. Besides the incidents during the Neptunes- San Ġiljan encounter, we had the issue of San Ġiljan’s junior foreigners, which was decided independently from me or the executive committee, first by means of a council ruling and then by a number of statutory protest boards.

We had the issue of foreign players during the Ta’ Xbiex-Otters match, decided by the Protests Board.

There was also the unfortunate Matthew Zammit case, as a result of which he has been suspended by FINA for two years.

I must say that all FINA-related expenses in this case will be borne by the ASA, since the incident occurred at national team level.

We also had some controversial refereeing in the decisive stages of the senior competitions. But then I do not even choose the referees myself and this with a purpose. Referees are assessed during every match by an independent person and meetings are then held to discuss their performance.

All these matters are independent of any action taken by myself, so I was not even in a position to mishandle them. But then the head of any association always gets the brunt for everything.

Are there any problems facing several local clubs?

Yes, another serious problem is the state of some of our clubs. We have lost two leading clubs over the years, and another two are in imminent danger of packing up.

On a positive note, the Cottonera Aquatics Club has recently been set up under the auspices of the Senglea football nursery. I wish them well.

I will be proposing the setting up of a Task Force to work towards reviving clubs that have closed down and seeking ways of supporting those that are sinking. Our senior leagues risk being considerably depleted.

What about our referees?

On a positive note, this year saw the introduction of Maltese referees into the Italian league at A2 level, following an agreement reached by the ASA with the Federazione Italiana Nuoto (FIN) and the Italian Referees Association.

We hope that this programme will attract more referees to the game. We also participated in a referees clinic at top level in Rome.

Later, we organised a seminar for referees, coaches and club officials in Malta, with the participation of the renowned Gianni Lonzi and Sandro Campagna.

We hope to organise this seminar again next year. Our relations with the Italian aquatic bodies are excellent.

What about the winter months ahead?

Of course, there is much more to be said. Some may think that with the waterpolo season over, the burden on the ASA will be much lighter during the winter months.

This is a total misconception. It will be heavier.