Seventeen-year-old synchronised swimmer Zea Montfort has cemented her place as one of Malta’s brightest young sporting talents, becoming the first synchro swimmer in the country to be awarded the prestigious Malta Sports Scholarship for two consecutive years, first for the 2023–2024 season and now again for 2024–2025.
Currently registered with Club Synchro Knights in Malta, Zea’s rapid rise in the sport is not only a personal achievement but also a milestone for synchronised swimming nationally. This past year marked a major leap in her athletic development as she trained in Spain with the elite club CN Kallipolis under the guidance of renowned technical director Anna Tarrés. Tarrés, a name synonymous with excellence in the sport, not only mentored Zea but also choreographed both her solo routines. During this period, Zea competed in both the Catalan and Spanish Championships, showcasing her growing international credentials.
In January 2025, she began training for the senior category, a significant step in her career, with a focus on three major competitions: the World Cup in February, the Malta Open in April, and the World Cup in Canada. These events served as vital preparation for her eventual participation in the 2025 Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) held in Andorra. Thanks to her outstanding performances in the lead-up, Zea was selected to represent Malta, where she went on to secure silver medals in both the solo technical and solo free routines. Her poised, artistic, and technically excellent performances stood out on the international stage and brought great pride to the nation.
All her training and international competition efforts throughout the season were made possible thanks to the Malta Sports Scholarship, which covered the costs of preparation. Additionally, SportMalta funded her participation in key competitions, including the senior debut season, while the Malta Olympic Committee (MOC) supported her journey to the GSSE. Recognition must also go to the ASA and her dedicated team of coaches for their guidance and commitment to her success.
Zea Montfort’s achievements are a testament to her discipline, talent, and the robust support network behind her. Her back-to-back scholarships and podium finishes mark her as a rising star not only for synchronised swimming but for Maltese sport as a whole.
