In this episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, Karl Izzo, President of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, shares a comprehensive and honest insight into how water polo and aquatic sports are organized and developed in one of Europe’s smallest nations.

Karl begins by introducing his long journey in the sport. A former national team player with over 90 international appearances, he later transitioned into coaching, working with several Maltese clubs before serving as head coach of the Maltese national team for ten years. Under his leadership, Malta qualified four times for European Championships – a historic achievement for the country. Since November 2022, Karl has taken on a new role as federation president, responsible not only for water polo, but also for swimming, artistic swimming and open-water swimming.

A central theme of the episode is Malta’s unique league structure. Unlike most European leagues, the Maltese water polo season is centered around the summer months, when foreign players from top European clubs join local teams. This creates a highly competitive and attractive environment, allowing Maltese players to train and compete alongside world-class athletes such as Filipović, Ivović or Joković. Karl explains why this system works for Malta and how it directly benefits the national team by raising the level of daily competition.

Karl also outlines the three-competition model in Malta: a development-focused winter cup, a winter league without foreign players, and the summer league with international stars. This structure ensures playing time for young athletes while still providing elite exposure during the summer. Upcoming adjustments aim to further balance competitiveness, sustainability and player development.

The conversation then shifts toward national team development. Karl explains why it is crucial for Maltese players to compete abroad during the winter season in countries such as Montenegro, Italy or Serbia. Playing year-round against stronger opposition accelerates individual growth and directly strengthens the national team during international tournaments.

Another important aspect is infrastructure and governance. Despite being a small island nation with limited resources, Malta has invested heavily in aquatic facilities, including multiple outdoor pools and a new indoor venue to ensure year-round training. Karl highlights the importance of close cooperation with government authorities and local institutions to make such projects possible.

As federation president, Karl also discusses his transition from coach to administrator. The role change, he admits, is challenging, but necessary to influence the sport on a broader level. He speaks about safeguarding policies, coach education programs, certification systems and governance reforms designed to modernize Maltese aquatic sports.

The episode closes with Karl’s broader vision: increasing participation, strengthening clubs, improving youth pathways and ensuring long-term sustainability across all aquatic disciplines. Despite financial and structural limitations, his message is clear – with clear vision, cooperation and commitment, even small nations can compete on an international stage.

This episode offers a deep, realistic and inspiring perspective on how water polo can grow beyond traditional powerhouses.

🎧 More about the podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de