Seated in her new surroundings at Tal-Qroqq, the new ASA administrative secretary, Isabelle Zarb, talks frankly about the way her new responsibilities could be carried out for the benefit of aquatic disciplines in our country, some of which had long been regarded as anathema to our sporting traditions, despite obvious geographic advantages.

Many know you as a person closely-involved in sport especially swimming. How did these connections start?

I started as a basketball player and a runner but an ankle injury forced me to practise non-impact sport. At the age of 32, I had my first swimming lesson and got hooked... moved on to triathlon. In the meantime, I coordinated the Swimming Promotion Unit for the past 10 years.

Can you relate any lasting experience in sport, recent or not so recent?

I can say that coaching has given me the opportunity to help others reach their goals and although I don't compete at an elite level, I can prepare others to do so.

The recent International Coaching Education Certificate Program (ICECP) I have just attended in America has given me the opportunity to shadow Bob Bowman, Michael Phelps's coach, for two weeks.

It has also given me the opportunity to meet 26 other coaches from all over the world, share ideas and create a network with them, the Maltese Olympic Committee and the Olympic Solidarity.

What do you make of aquatic sports in Malta?

Aquatic sport in Malta is divided mainly in two disciplines, waterpolo and swimming. Waterpolo has a much longer history whereas swimming is relatively a young sport in Malta... 16 years old since the National Pool was built.

Do you regard any of the six disciplines as needing more attention than the others?

Masters swimming and open water swimming are picking up in Malta thanks to Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club but still need more attention. Synchronised swimming and diving are still virtually non-existent locally.

What, in your opinion, are the priorities of the association in its routine work?

It is mostly targeting waterpolo tournaments. Swimming time-trials, training and competitions come next but I feel more could be done in swimming.

Have you any innovative ideas of what needs to be done in this respect also in co-ordination with the association's new PRO?

I'd rather call them necessary steps. I will be working mostly towards setting up a Swimming Coaching Education programme to offer the possibility to unqualified swimming teachers and coaches to obtain accreditation. Hopefully this would grow and be offered to waterpolo coaches, synchronised swimming and diving.

Vision and purpose are the driving forces in such a job. How do you regard these qualities?

I think they are the key driving forces. Long-term planning and ways to implement these plans are crucial.

Fortunately, I am still studying and as long as I keep abreast with what's happening in the water world I should have the vision and purpose clear and updated at all times.

How far will your new responsibilities benefit the smooth running of the ASA's administrative wheel?

Having a full-time executive secretary should make the ASA more efficient. The president and general secretary are now able to concentrate more on the actual management and implementation rather than the administration.

Do you intend to use your good office and those of the ASA president to improve the already good working relationship with the MOC?

Yes, definitely. I feel that both should be working hand-in-hand towards developing aquatic sport in Malta.

The MOC has been instrumental in encouraging me to take up the ICECP. It is through this course that I will be working on the Swimming Coaching Education programme as part of my project which I will present in May 2010 in Lausanne.

How can the association benefit from the Olympic Solidarity?

Through the ICECP, Olympic Solidarity has opened so many doors.

The contacts I have made and all the discussions that I had with the Olympic Solidarity officials have done a world of good.

Do you see your responsibilities as a challenge?

I need challenges to spur me on at work, training and competitions. A job like this allows me to raise the bar as much as I can, knowing that I will have the association's backing.

How do you look at the future in terms of smoother day-to-day administration?

As with other new jobs and posts I need some time to settle down but I will try to be the link between all the clubs, officials, ASA and MOC.

I know my job will involve continuous correspondence with all stakeholders and am looking forward to that and to developing aquatic sport further.