In 2019 SportMalta launched the National Strategy for Sport and Physical Activity in Malta 2019–2030, entitled Aiming Higher. The strategy represents a cross-sectoral framework aimed at strengthening sport structures and increasing participation in physical activity across Maltese society. It was developed following extensive consultation with stakeholders in the sports sector and is implemented under the remit of the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation.

The strategy recognises sport and physical activity as key contributors to a healthier, inclusive and productive society. It promotes collaboration between stakeholders and aims to increase participation in sport at grassroots level while supporting elite performance.

The strategy is built around five core values:

• determination and motivation
• an integrated approach through collaboration
• inclusive participation in sport
• operational accountability
• innovation in sport governance and practice.

Following consultation with stakeholders, the strategy identifies five strategic themes:

• building a more active and healthy nation
• stimulating a new sporting culture
• enhancing the competence of stakeholders
• transforming Malta into a centre of sporting excellence
• achieving competitive success.

These themes are implemented through seven operational pillars:

• High Performance
• Integrity
• Gozo
• Industry
• Facilities
• Participation and Quality of Life
• Education.

The strategy is coordinated by SportMalta, the national agency responsible for sport development in Malta.

In addition to the national sport strategy, Malta has also adopted the Strategy for Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) 2025–2030, which aims to promote regular physical activity across the life course and in different life settings. The vision of the strategy is for every resident in Malta to have the knowledge, awareness and opportunities to engage in health-enhancing physical activity within supportive social, cultural and physical environments. The strategy adopts a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, recognising the role of multiple stakeholders in promoting physical activity. Particular emphasis is placed on creating opportunities for physical activity in everyday environments where people live, learn, work and socialise, including schools, community settings and neighbourhoods. Through these settings, the strategy aims to encourage children and young people to develop active lifestyles from an early age and to maintain regular physical activity throughout their lives. The promotion of physical activity is also identified as one of the priority areas within Malta’s Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention Framework, highlighting its importance for improving long-term public health outcomes.

In 2015 the Ministry for Education had launched The Whole School Approach to a Healthy Lifestyle: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Policy, aiming to promote healthy lifestyles among children and young people within the school environment. The policy recognises that schools play a crucial role in shaping lifelong habits related to health and well-being. It adopts a whole-school approach, integrating healthy eating and physical activity into different aspects of school life, including the curriculum, school environment and extracurricular activities. Through this approach, schools are encouraged to create supportive environments that enable students to develop healthy behaviours from an early age. The policy emphasises the importance of regular physical activity as part of daily school routines and promotes opportunities for students to engage in sport and active play both during and beyond the school day. By embedding healthy lifestyle practices within the school setting, the policy seeks to support the physical, social and emotional development of children and young people and contribute to the prevention of lifestyle-related health issues later in life.

Several national programmes and initiatives promote participation in sport and physical activity among young people in Malta. Many of these initiatives are coordinated by SportMalta, the national authority responsible for sport development.

#OnTheMove Programme

One of the main initiatives encouraging youth participation in sport is the #OnTheMove programme, organised by SportMalta. The programme provides structured opportunities for children, young people and adults to engage in physical activity and sport.

The programme runs annually between October and May and consists of several modules aimed at different age groups and levels of ability.

The Performance module is targeted at young people aged approximately 11 to 16 years, although participation may begin from the age of nine after completing earlier stages of the programme. Participants are introduced to a variety of sports and learn the skills, rules and tactics associated with each discipline.

Sport associations and clubs partner with SportMalta to deliver training sessions in sports such as athletics, basketball, gymnastics, football, sailing, swimming, volleyball and table tennis.

Summer On The Move

The Summer On The Move programme complements the main initiative and runs between July and September, offering additional opportunities for young people to engage in sport and recreational activities during the summer months.

Sport academies

SportMalta also operates specialised Sport Academies in collaboration with national sport associations. These academies allow young participants to further develop their skills in disciplines such as basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, handball, triathlon and synchronised swimming.

Participation in these programmes often acts as a pathway for young people to join sport Youth Fitness Support Scheme (Free gym membership) the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation introduced the Youth Fitness Support Scheme, which provides six months of free gym membership to eligible young people in Malta and Gozo. The initiative aims to encourage young people to adopt healthier lifestyles and to increase participation in regular physical activity by reducing financial barriers associated with gym membership.
 

European Week of Sport and #BeActive Malta

Malta participates annually in the European Week of Sport, which forms part of the European Commission’s #BeActive campaign. The campaign aims to encourage citizens of all ages to adopt more active lifestyles.

The initiative is coordinated nationally by SportMalta, which organises a number of events and activities in collaboration with schools, sport clubs, local councils and community organisations.

Activities organised during the week include sport demonstrations, training sessions, open sporting events and community-based physical activity programmes aimed at encouraging participation among children, young people and adults.

School sport festivals and national sport events

SportMalta and educational authorities periodically organise national sport events and school sport festivals to encourage participation in physical activity among students.

These events bring together students from different schools to participate in a variety of sporting activities including athletics, team sports, fitness challenges and recreational games. Such events aim to promote teamwork, fair play and healthy lifestyles while encouraging participation rather than focusing exclusively on competitive outcomes.

Financial incentives encouraging participation in sport

Malta also provides fiscal incentives aimed at encouraging children and young people to participate in organised sport activities.

Parents who pay fees for their children to attend sports activities organised by registered sport organisations can claim a tax deduction of up to €300 per child from their taxable income. 

This measure was increased from €100 to €300 through amendments to the Income Tax Act, with the objective of supporting families and encouraging greater participation in sport among children and young people.

Government authorities support collaboration between schools, sport organisations, health professionals and educational institutions to promote youth fitness and physical activity.

FitMAP Malta

The FitMAP-Malta initiative was launched by the Ministry responsible for education and sport in collaboration with the University of Malta and FitBack Europe.

The project aims to improve adolescent health by introducing a national fitness monitoring system in schools. Students receive personalised fitness assessments through scientifically validated exercises, helping them understand their fitness levels and set individual goals.

The initiative also provides data that can support evidence-based policymaking on youth health and physical activity.

Youth Development Scheme

SportMalta also operates the Youth Development Scheme, which provides financial support to talented athletes under the age of 18.

The scheme supports the training and development of promising young athletes and aims to strengthen Malta’s future high-performance sport potential.

Move 360

The Move 360 project was launched through collaboration between SportMalta, the Health Promotion Unit, St James Capua Hospital and the Institute for Tourism Studies.

The project aims to increase physical activity levels among students by introducing additional sport sessions and promoting healthy eating habits within participating schools.

Collaboration with sport organisations

Schools also collaborate with national sport federations and clubs, which regularly visit schools to introduce students to different sports disciplines. These initiatives help students discover new sports and encourage continued participation in sport outside the school environment.

The government also supports grassroots sport development through financial incentives and funding schemes that assist sport organisations and local councils in organising sporting activities for young people. In addition, some sport organisations benefit from European Union funding programmes, which support sport participation initiatives targeting young people.