1 July 2024
Sun, Sand, and Soccer: Community Beach Tournament Lit Up Pretty Bay
On Friday 28 June 2024, the picturesque Pretty Bay in Birzebbugia, Malta, transformed into a vibrant arena of community spirit and friendly competition as it hosted an exciting Beach Soccer Tournament. The event, organized jointly by the Malta Football Association (MFA) and the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sports (AIMS), proved to be a highlight of the summer calendar, bringing together individuals from various organizations to represent their localities.
Teams and Venue
The tournament featured two enthusiastic teams:
- Floriana – Team 1
- Zabbar SP – Team 2
- Zabbar SP – Team 3
- Pembroke – Team 4
- Qrendi – Team 5
These teams, composed of individuals who work in different companies, showcased their skills and team spirit on the sandy shores of Pretty Bay, with the Birzebbugia stadium providing a stunning backdrop to the action.
More Than Just a Game
This event was a key part of the Work, Move, Performance (WMP) Project, an initiative designed to promote active lifestyles, community engagement, and workplace well-being through sports. The Beach Soccer Tournament exemplified the project’s goals by bringing together employees from various sectors, fostering team building, and encouraging physical activity in a fun, relaxed setting.
Integrity in Sports
The involvement of the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sports (AIMS) in organizing this event underscores the commitment to maintaining high ethical standards in sports, even at the community level. AIMS’ participation ensures that the spirit of fair play and integrity is woven into the fabric of the tournament, setting a positive example for all participants and spectators.
Community Impact and the WMP project
The event drew a significant crowd, boosting local community spirit and showcasing Birzebbugia’s beautiful coastline. It provided a unique opportunity for participants to step out of their usual work roles and engage in friendly competition, while also allowing spectators to enjoy an exciting day out.
The Work, Move, Performance (WMP) Project aims to integrate physical activity into the daily lives of working individuals, promoting better health, increased productivity, and stronger community bonds. This Beach Soccer Tournament is just one example of how the project brings these goals to life, encouraging people to stay active and engaged outside of their regular work environment.
Looking Ahead
As the WMP Project continues to grow, events like the Beach Soccer Tournament pave the way for more innovative community initiatives across Malta. The success of this tournament, organized with the support of respected bodies like the MFA and AIMS, has set a high bar for future events, combining the joy of sports with the natural beauty of Malta’s coastline and the spirit of community engagement.
The Beach Soccer Tournament at Pretty Bay will be remembered as a day of sun, sand, and spirited competition, leaving participants and spectators alike eagerly anticipating next year’s event.
Background information – WMP project
The WMP project is a 24-month project co-funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ Sport 2023 programme and coordinated by the French Federation for Company Sport (FFSE). It aims to promote active and healthy lifestyles in Europe by developing the practice of Physical and Sports Activities (PSA) in the workplace. The WMP project is the first EU study on the effects of PSA for employees’ performance and well-being. The FFSE is implementing the project with 8 partner organisations : the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), the University of Murcia (Spain), the European Federation for Company Sport (France), the Association for Sport in the Free Time (Bulgaria), the French National Olympic Committee (France), the Sports Association of Bank of France (France), the Authority For Integrity In Maltese Sport (Malta) and the European Network for Innovation and Knowledge (Netherlands).
