Qormi Hockey Club is the EuroHockey Small Club of the Year 2025, becoming the first club from Malta to attain such an honour.
It follows a momentous year in which their efforts saw them become the first club from the island to be invited by the Prime Minister of Malta to acknowledging their role in honouring the nation through sport.
Club secretary Fiona Montebello said it is a recognition of the “dedication of our players, coaches, parents, and volunteers which is central to our vision”.
Speaking about Qormi’s background and approach, Montebello explains: “In Malta, hockey is a sport that remains relatively less visible compared to others. To address this, the club invested heavily in player retention and development.
“We created a welcoming family-oriented environment supported by qualified coaches who offer personalised guidance, clear pathways from junior to senior levels, and continuous mentorship.
“Continuous team talks were held to emphasise fair-play mentality, respect, integrity, and discipline. This approach ensures that our players not only develop technically but also grow holistically as respectful ambassadors for our sport.”
To strengthen public awareness, coaches volunteer their time by offering free sessions in schools. The club organised a Bring-A-Friend open day aimed at attracting beginners and encouraging participation.
Qormi is also proud to be the only club to have fielded an Under 18 female team in Malta. Even though there were no opponents available, they continue to offer weekly training to promote and inspire participation among women.
The impact of these initiatives and the sense of community among all club members contributed to an exceptional season in which the club won all six local honours, including the league, undefeated.
Internationally, they also secured gold at the EuroHockey Club Challenge III in Norway.
“Looking ahead, the club aims to build on the valuable lessons learned from this remarkable season. We plan to strengthen grassroots pathways, enhance coaching structures, and expand school partnerships. Recognising the dedication of our players, coaches, parents, and volunteers is central to our vision.
“We remain dedicated to honouring hockey by playing with pride, upholding the values of fairness, respect, discipline and sportsmanship in every game we play.”
