Why Are So Many Great Local Coaches Ignored?
- Darren Bezzina
- Jun 20, 2025
- 2 min read
The Overlooked Backbone of Athlete Development
In every town, in every school, and in every sports club, there are coaches who give everything they have to their athletes. They work long hours, often unpaid or underpaid. They keep learning, attending courses, reading books, and reflecting on every session they run. They adapt, evolve, and care deeply about athlete welfare and progress. And yet, when the time comes for selections, for appointments, or for national roles—they are nowhere to be seen.
Why?
Why do we keep ignoring some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable coaches in our country?
This isn’t about bitterness or jealousy. It’s about the sustainability of sport in Malta. If the best coaches remain stuck at grassroots level with no clear pathway or recognition, what message are we sending?
Let’s be honest: in many cases, coaching appointments are based on connections, not competence. On loyalty, not leadership. On familiarity, not fresh thinking.
We’ve seen roles given to individuals who haven’t coached in years, haven’t worked with young athletes, or who prioritise results over development. Meanwhile, the coach who built that athlete from the ground up is left out of the room.
This isn’t just demoralising. It’s dangerous. It tells upcoming coaches not to bother. It encourages athletes to mistrust the system. And ultimately, it erodes the foundation of long-term athlete development.
Great coaches are not born. They are built over time. They teach values, not just tactics. They develop humans, not just performers. And when these coaches are sidelined, our athletes suffer.
So what can be done?
Transparent Selection Processes: Coaching roles at any level should be clearly advertised with open applications, interviews, and clear selection criteria.
Coach Education Pathways: Invest in local coaches by giving them access to continuous development and a structured pathway toward elite roles.
Recognition Beyond Medals: Evaluate coaches not just on results but on the environments they create, the retention and development of athletes, and their contribution to the sporting community.
Mentorship and Support: Senior coaches should mentor younger ones. Federations should establish mentorship systems that help develop talent from within.
We cannot build a world-class sports system on unstable ground. And without strong, supported, and respected coaches, that’s exactly what we’re doing.
We need to stop asking, "Who do we know?" and start asking, "Who is best for our athletes?"
To every coach who’s ever been overlooked: your work matters. Keep showing up. One day, the system might finally catch up with the standard you’re setting.
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