The Malta Sports Journalists Association (MSJA), together with National Lottery plc, has announced that the Malta Men’s Rugby Sevens National Team has been named the winner of the Elite Athlete Award for May and June 2025.
The team achieved a historic promotion to the Rugby Europe Sevens Trophy Division, which is the second-highest level out of five in European rugby. They reached this milestone just three years after competing in the lower-tier Conference 2 division.
Malta began their Rugby Europe Conference 1 campaign with a 24–17 loss to Serbia but bounced back with strong wins over Finland (27–10) and Austria (27–21). These results placed them second in their group and secured a place in the semifinal against Andorra. In a tight match, Malta won 10–7, earning promotion to the Trophy Division. They later lost the final to Monaco, 24–5, after suffering several injuries.
Franco de Gabriele, Chief Commercial Officer of the National Lottery, said that the team’s promotion reflects their dedication, discipline, and the growth of rugby in Malta. He also expressed continued support for local sport and Maltese athletes.
Lorraine Cunningham, General Secretary of the Malta Sports Journalists Association, said the team’s success is a great achievement and a natural result of the steady progress made in recent years. She added that the award recognises both their recent performance and their journey from Conference 2.
The Elite Athlete Award is given every two months to highlight outstanding performances by local athletes or teams. A panel made up of sports journalists and observers evaluates each nominee’s achievements during the review period.
More information and the rules for the award can be found on the Malta Sports Journalists Association website: www.maltasportsjournalists.com.
