Siġġiewi Rowing Club, a voluntary organization (VO) registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organization, was established in 2016 when on 25 August 2016 was enlisted with Malta Rowing Association with the rank of ‘Observer Status’, becoming a full member on 19th January 2022, with all the rights that membership brings with it.
Since its inception in 2016, the Club brought together a number of like minded athletes who formed a vibrant community that gives value to sportsmanship, training guided by scientific principles and friendship. Our Club athletes participate regularly in sliding-seat rowing trainng and competitions and medalled in events such as the National Indoor Rowing Championships, thus gaining the right to represent Malta in international competitions, including the European Indoor Rowing Championships and the World Games held in Wroclaw 2017 (Dr Michelle Vella Wood and Jessica Borg Ghigo). Moreover, in 2017, Dr Michael Borg, an athlete of the Siġġiewi Rowing Club, was the first Maltese athlete to ever participate on behalf of Malta in the World Coastal Rowing Championship.
The Club prioritises para rowing and has various para rowers enrolled with it. These athletes compete in para rowing competitions where a number of successes have already been achieved, including two gold medals awarded to Owen Mallia at the British Virtual Indoor Rowing Championships in September 2021 and two world records in the PR3-ID 17-18 category established Isaac Borg, who also hold the overall PR3 world record in the 100m.
In September 2021, the Club participated for the first time with its own crews in the traditional boat rowing races held in the Grand Harbour as part of the European Week of Sports and on the 31st March 2022, the Club made its debut in the National Regatta commemorating Freedom Day.
However, true history was written on the 9th of February 2022 when the Club signed a leasehold agreement on the premises in Marsa from where it operates its on-water activities. This historical agreement was formally announced in public ceremony held in Siggiewi by the Hon. Silvio Schembri, Minister for the Economy and Industry, in the presence of Mr Dominic Grech, Mayor of Siggiewi on the 23rd March 2022, two key individuals who are most supportive of our initiatives and instrumental for this agreement to be signed.
A few days later, on the 31st March 2022, the Club took part for the first time with its own boats and crews in Malta’s National Regatta. This dream became a reality following granting of “full membership” of Malta Rowing Association as a result of a unanimous decision of all other seven Clubs, thus becoming the 8th Full Member of the Association with its own right to participate in Malta’s historical National Regatta.
25 August 2016
Established through recognition of Malta Rowing Association (Observer Status).
November 2016
Club Athletes participated for the First time in Malta National Indoor Rowing Championships and medalling.
December 2016
Club Athletes participated for the first time in international Indoor Rowing Events (BRIC’2016). Since then, athletes participated in various other competitions, including European Championships (medals awarded in F-LW) and the World Games.
September 2017
Club athlete participated for the first time in the World Coastal Rowing Championships.
November 2017
Club registers its first para athlete, Antonio Flores, who took part in the Malta National Indoor Rowing Championship’s. athlete participated for the first time in the World Coastal Rowing Championships.
November 2020
Club enrolled as a Voluntary Organisation (VO/2036).
April 2021
Club officially recognised by SportMalta SM/C/315.
September 2021
Club para rower Owen Mallia medalled in the British Virtual Indoor Rowing Championships thus getting the first international para rowing medals for the Club. In the same month, Club took part for the first time with its own boats and crews, as well as boats borrowed from Marsa RC, in the traditional regatta organised in Malta’s Grand Harbour as part of the European Week of Sports.
19 January 2022
Club granted “full membership” of Malta Rowing Association, following a unanimous decision of all other seven Clubs, thus becoming the 8th Full Member of the Association with its own right to participate in Malta’s historical National Regatta.
9 February 2022
Club signs a leasehold agreement with the Lands Authority thus acquiring a store in Marsa for use as its home in the Grand Harbour.
31 March 2022
Club took part for the first time with its own boats and crews in Malta’s National Regatta.
July 2022
Club athlete Dr Julian Bajada makes history with the Julian Bajada Challenge raising thousands for the setting up of our para rowing progamme.
September 2022
Club launches its ISport Programme, aimed at athletes with a visual impairment, in collaboration with the Malta Paralympic Committee and the Malta Trust Foundation chaired by H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President Emeritus of the Republic of Malta.
January 2023
Following another historical agreement, all Club land training starts to operate from the gym of Dar tal-Providenza, which we proudly call our natural home in Siggiewi. Gym is being equipped by the Club through various donations and grants. These include the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (SIS) managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) and supported by the Ministry for Inclusion, Voluntary Organisations and Consumer Rights (MIVC), the ISport Programme, Julian Bajada and other members’ donations.
Siggiewi Rowing Club 