Although Malta is surrounded by the Mediterranean sea and most children learn to swim from a young age, it is disappointing to note that those girls who wish to take up waterpolo seriously have an extremely arduous task ahead, at least until there are enough numbers to start making a difference.
Whilst there were various attempts over the years to set up a women’s league, the situation today is that we have a fledgling waterpolo competition for senior women with little or no support for youths to join the sport at nursery level.
At the moment, there are only six U-15 girls training and playing the sport regularly in all local clubs, which barely makes up one team.
Without a girls’ tournament, the young ones have no other option but to play in boys’ tournaments.
As much as this could be considered a landmark situation for gender equality, it is not helping the girls develop to the best of their abilities.
Michela Zammit, an 11-year-old from Birżebbuġa, is determined to surmount this obstacle and is doing everything possible to try and change things around.
She plays for Exiles SC and practises daily all year round at the National Pool.
During one of her games last summer, her talent was spotted by a spectator and she was offered a training experience in England.
With the support of her parents and her school here, she grabbed the opportunity and travelled to the UK. There she trained waterpolo in the early mornings and then attended lessons at Bolton School.
In the UK, she had the opportunity to practise with U-14, U-16 and U-18 girls’ teams of Tyldesley, Liverpool and Manchester and also with the Manchester senior women’s team.
Manchester won all girls’ youth leagues in 2013 with Liverpool being the other major contenders.
Despite being the youngest girl in the pool, Zammit left a very good impression and she was also offered more training in future and an opportunity to play in the junior and senior leagues next September.
In an attempt to generate more interest in waterpolo among other girls, a facebook page has been set up (facebook.com/maltadolphins) with the support of Klikk Technology Stores.
Those interested are invited to join this page to create a network aimed at improving the women’s game on our shores.
Young player Michela Zammit had a training stint in England last summer.