The Malta Basketball Association has appointed Roderick Vella as Head Coach of both the Men’s and Women’s 3×3 National Teams. Vella will lead the two squads in the upcoming Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE), set to take place in Andorra from May 26 to 31, 2025.
A former national team player and one of Malta’s most respected basketball coaches, Vella has steadily built a strong coaching résumé through consistent and dedicated work across various levels of the sport.
At the 2023 GSSE in Malta, Vella served as assistant coach to Angela Adamoli for the national 3×3 teams, gaining invaluable experience in the fast-paced, tactical format. Over the past four years, he has held multiple roles within the national setup, including assistant coach for the men’s team in two FIBA tournaments and for the women’s team at the 2023 GSSE. He also led the coaching staff of Malta’s U18 and U16 women’s national teams.
In club basketball, Vella has been active for several years, most recently guiding Luxol’s women’s side to the U23 championship title.
Malta Basketball Association President Paul Sultana praised the appointment, stating:
“The decision to entrust this role to Roderick Vella was based on our strong belief in his capabilities. From the outset of his coaching journey, he has demonstrated dedication, in-depth knowledge of the game, and a strong desire to grow professionally. His attention to detail in both training and match preparation makes him exceptionally suited to this role, especially at the international level. With 3×3 basketball evolving rapidly, we believe that Roderick’s openness to innovation and passion for development will help elevate the standard of our national teams.”
Commenting on his new role, Vella expressed his enthusiasm:
“I am grateful to the Malta Basketball Association for this opportunity. 3×3 basketball is distinct from traditional 5-on-5, but having gained valuable experience alongside Coach Angela Adamoli and having nurtured a personal interest in the 3×3 format over the years, I feel ready to take on this new challenge. I’m looking forward to working with the teams and helping them compete at the highest level.”
Vella’s appointment marks a significant step as Malta aims to make a strong impression in Andorra this May.
