Reiterating its commitment to helping its students succeed, the University of Malta is pleased to launch the free services of an in-house professional sport psychologist to its student-athletes.

During this unprecedented time, in addition to the struggles being faced while adapting to the current situation, student-athletes have had a number of disruptions to their training programmes and regimes. This could consequently put these athletes in emotional distress as they aim to do their best to maintain their sense of identity as sports persons as well as regain some normality in terms of their training commitments and requirements, where at all possible.

All 118 student-athletes registered on the University’s Student Athlete Support Programme (SASP) are now able to avail of this psychological assistance being made available to them via the Institute for Physical Education and Sport in collaboration with the Secretariat for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations.

Knowing how both studies and sports are important to help these students succeed, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations, Hon. Dr Clifton Grima, commended the initiative.

University Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella commented that with the health and wellbeing of the University community being a priority, this service will leave a positive impact on them when trying to strike a balance between their studies and their sports.

In addition to this in-house professional support, student-athletes will be able to set-up free online one-one consultations as and when they feel they need to reach out for assistance. This is all in addition to all other services that were available before the COVID-19 measures were set in force.

It is also being planned that this service will continue beyond the current situation.

“We are pleased to launch this free service to all our student-athletes at the University. Whilst hoping that they would be able to resume their normal training schedules with their coaches very soon I urge them to stay positive and if they feel the need to speak with Dr Muscat to come forward and do so not only during this difficult time but throughout their time with us”, says Dr Andrew Decelis, Director of the Institute for Physical Education and Sport.

“This may be a time for student-athletes to seek support since their sport plans may have been disrupted, but it is also a time for them to reflect on where they want to go in their sport career and also to strengthen their mind through mental warm-up techniques for performance and other psychological skills that may help them go the extra mile”, sports psychologist Dr Adele Muscat advised.