Guest Interview: ‘Ella Has Always Loved The Water’ – Proud Parents Of Record-Breaking Maltese Swimmer Open Up

1. Ella is still very young, but she was much younger when you introduced her to swimming. How did it all start? 

“For Ella, it started at the tender age of three, as a simple learn-to-swim experience with coach Roberta Stellini, from Rob’s Swim School. We noticed she really loved swimming. As Ella progressed in her swimming lessons, Coach Roberta always passed on feedback regarding Ella’s natural talent, specifically in the Butterfly Stroke.” – Maria.

2. Why swimming and not some other sport?

“Ella has always loved the water. I recall an incident in the Summer of 2012 when she decided to jump off the jetty in Marsascala into the sea unaided while we were still settling down for the day by the sea. In a panic, I jumped in, still clothed, and hauled her out of the water, only to see her jumping back just a few seconds later. She is a natural-born swimmer! How could we stop her?” – Josef.

3. You and Maria are busy business executives, and you travel a lot. How do you cope with Ella’s challenging training regime?  

“Swimming is one of the few sports regimes where it is necessary to train at least twice a day. That is not enough since, in between training sessions, one needs to carry out the essential formulas to recover well; this makes the challenge a considerable one, not only because of Ella’s routine but also because we both are very career-oriented parents. Time is limited, but we try and make the best of it. Ella’s determination to pursue her sport always fuels us to strive for the next day.” – Maria.

4. Ella is one of the most successful Maltese young athletes attending the National Sports School. How was your experience with this school to date? 

“I was always against Ella moving out from a private school into the National Sports School (NSS), and people who know me can vouch for this. Ella applied to join NSS, purely out of her own initiative and determination. At the time, I was totally against her decision; however, I take it all back today! This was the best decision we ever made.”

“Reality has shown us parents that NSS offers the much-required balance of sports and academia. The school, under the baton of Mr Robert Magro, is home to the highest discipline standards and no-nonsense policies. They are fully understanding and supportive and recognise one’s efforts. Ella looks forward to each day at school. How can we complain?” – Josef.

5. And how does Ella fare in her studies? 

“Ella joined the National Sports School in pole position, with the highest points in both her sport and academia. Results so far clearly show that she understands that her studies are as important as her sport.“ – Maria.

6. Do you find Malta’s facilities adequate and supportive enough for a child aspiring to succeed in swimming as a sport? 

“Unfortunately, not! The truth is that taking up competitive swimming in Malta beyond an amateur sports level is close to impossible. The only possible way forward is to seek professional coaching and facilities abroad. Thankfully we have the National Sports School, which supports these initiatives, although more is needed.” – Josef.

7. You must feel proud of your daughter’s swimming career achievements. Is financial support offered to young athletes? Or is this training an expense you chose to make on your own steam? 

“I am more than proud of her achievements and of her determination to overcome all hurdles. We ignore the nonsense and block out any degree of bad-mouthing that unfortunately exists from a few individuals in the local competitive swimming sphere. Above all, I admire her ability to wear blinkers daily and focus only on working hard.”

“For us, as parents, the scope of Ella’s sports training goes far beyond records and personal ambitions. We see it as a character formation exercise, the base to a solid backbone structure necessary for one’s future. Indeed, no form of financial support is currently available for such young athletes. We decided to build on Ella’s skills and talent at our own expense.” – Maria.

 8. What about travel expenses? 

“Training and racing on foreign soil constitute a substantial part of Ella’s athletic swimming formation. As parents, we are guided that at this stage, it is essential to be training and competing with children of her age, which can give her an edge during training and also put up a ’fight‘ while racing. This is all funded through our pockets, of course.” – Josef.

9. If you had to suggest how the authorities could help Maltese children venture into swimming as a sport – what would this include? 

The state currently runs one pool, with an additional two pools which are the property of local private clubs. These three pools collectively need to cater for around 300 registered swimmers; all the learn-to-swim programs, together with other water sports regimes such as synchronised swimming, and waterpolo. The authorities need more vision and commitment in this regard.”

“Another area that needs to be improved is early support for promising athletes. Swimming is an early development sport, with a lot of work required at the pre-puberty stage. If the authorities wish to see more success in swimming on an international scale, promising athletes need to be guided and provided support from an early stage.“ – Josef.

10. Some parents fear that extracurricular activities such as sports can be taxing where schooling is concerned. Do you agree? 

“Extracurricular activities should be an integral part of the educational formation. Various disciplines and sports taken seriously from a young age develop the lifelong required skills of perseverance, determination and commitment. These are the same ingredients needed for success in one’s academic (and future career) results.” – Maria.

11. Ella has travelled a lot. Does she have time to make friends and play with other children her age? 

“Ella’s ‘recreational’ time is minimal, as, apart from her training, she understands well the importance of recovery in the life of an athlete. Yet this doesn’t mean Ella has no free time. She enjoys travelling, meeting people from different cultures and listening to music.”

“Francesca is Ella’s faithful ’lifelong’ friend. Francesca and Ella met in their very early school years, and despite the fact that they took different paths, destiny somehow got them back together again. Other good friends are some schoolmates, especially the ones that share her athletic seriousness, as well as various foreigners she trains with abroad. Ella is the type that would rather have one meaningful friend than hang around with many kids with whom she has little in common. She chooses her best mates well.“ – Maria.

Q & A with Ella:

1. What is your favourite food?  

My favourite food is pasta, which, however, I rarely eat. I usually eat it only before long-distance races and as a special treat after racing.

2. What’s your favourite song?  

My favourite song is Fight Song by Rachel Platten. I like it because it describes my swimming career well.

3. What’s your favourite movie?

I love documentaries, and my favourite is My Octopus Teacher. I love it because I can relate to it very well.

4. What was it that attracted you first to swimming? 

What first intrigued me about swimming was the determination required and how precise you have to be in any movement you make. What also attracted me was the high level of competition one finds between athletes.

5. Swimming is physically very demanding, but what would it be if you had to go for another sport?  

If I had to choose another sport, it would still be a water sport, synchronised swimming.

6. What message would you like to pass to other children your age in Malta?

I would tell them whoever they are, it is never too late to become a better version of themselves or a successful athlete.

7. What is your favourite cartoon character – if you have any?

My dad introduced me to Tom and Jerry when I was young. It is still my favourite cartoon show.

8. Can you tell us about your hobbies, other than swimming?

My other hobbies are mainly other sports-related activities, like climbing, zip lining, running, strength and conditioning and Pilates. When I find the time, I also love cooking, especially baking.

9. What are your ambitions when it comes to swimming? 

To qualify to represent Malta in high-level competitions abroad and to place swimming in Malta on a higher step than it is today.

10. Where would you see yourself at 25?

When I’m 25, I aspire to be at the peak of my international sports career and get close to graduating as a doctor.

 

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11. Do you believe Malta offers suitable facilities and training to help you succeed?

“Unfortunately, in Malta, the sport of swimming is lacking in various aspects. Primarily it doesn’t have enough professional pools, so swimmers always work in a crowded environment. Also, we don’t find the equipment required to get the most out of training sessions, such as equipment for underwater stroke analysis, starting blocks/ flags for the 25mtr pool, monitoring devices, vasa trainers etc.”

“Swimming is an early development sport, so having access to professional coaching and adequate facilities from a young age is very important. Another important aspect I see lacking is education in nutrition and recovery, starting from a young age.”

“Everyone seems to underestimate how important nutrition is for an athlete. I am proud to say that I only fuel myself on fresh and balanced healthy food, keeping away from fast food, highly processed food and preserved food containing E numbers. Additionally, no supplements, steroids or additives form part of my diet. The only way in my sport is hard work!”

12. Of all the countries you’ve visited so far, which is your favourite- both to live in and practise swimming? 

Swimming has already taken me to various countries across the globe. Travelling is the only way to find athletes my age that I push against in training and seriously race against in competitions. My favourite place to live and train in would be Dubai.

The facilities are outstanding, and being around swimmers from all over the world is fantastic too.

I take this opportunity to thank all the coaches I’ve worked with throughout these years; I thank them for believing in me and pushing me further than I thought I could. I owe my success to them and my parents’ encouragement.

Ray De Bono is a content writer and public relations adviser

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