Sliema’s Eyla Schembri wins Women’s Award

San Giljan’s Jake Bonavia is the BOV Water Polo Player of the Year for season 2023/2024. The top performing players of the last Water Polo season were announced during an awards night co-hosted by Bank of Valletta and the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta with the presence of Dr Clifton Grima Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation.

At his young age, Jake has grown to be a key player for his team and has already won a number of important trophies with his boyhood club San Giljan. He forms part of the Malta seniors’ national team where he formed part of the Seniors National Team who in December registered an excellent 5th place in the World Cup Div 2 in Istanbul.

Talent and consistency are synonymous with Eyla Schembri, a player who has been with Sliema for many years as well as with the National team. Despite the lack of honors this season, Schembri excelled on a personal basis and always stood out with her goals and creative play throughout the season.

ASA President Karl Izzo focused on the Associations achievements over the past few years, with memorable performances in the World Cup Division 2 and the European Championships – a testimonial of the ever-growing level of the game on the islands thanks to the constant investment of the Clubs and the ASA. 

BOV Community Relations Officer Stefan Abela pointed out that the ASA’s 100^th Anniversary coincides with BOV’s 50^th – two organisations that have shaped their respective areas over the years. ‘The BOV Water Polo winter League starting next week will see the 18^th consecutive year of collaboration between BOV and the ASA – a commitment to the sport and to a healthy and active lifestyle that BOV firmly believes in.’

The event proceeded with the presentation of various awards, including the Best players in different categories, best goalkeepers, best foreign players and best coaches. BOV and the ASA also presented a token of appreciation to all participating clubs as well as the National Team Coaches.

All the winners of awards:

BOV Water Polo Premier League Player of the Year

Jake Bonavia – San Giljan

BOV Water Polo Female Player of the Year

Eyla Schembri – Sliema

BOV Water Polo 1^st Division Player of the Year

Julian Valletta – Marsaxlokk

BOV Water Polo Premier League Goalkeeper of the Year

Jake Tanti – San Giljan

BOV Water Polo Female Goalkeeper of the Year

Kursty Plumpton – Sliema

BOV Water Polo 1^st Division Goalkeeper of the Year

Miguel Farrugia – Marsaxlokk

BOV Premier League Best Foreign Player

Giacomo Cannella – Sliema

BOV Women’s Best Foreign Player

Morgan McDowall – Sirens

BOV 1^st Division Best Foreign Player

Fran Valera – Marsaxlokk

BOV Water Polo Premier League Coach of the Year

Giannis Katrouzanakis – Sliema

BOV Water Polo Women’s League Coach of the Year

Aurelien Cousin – Sirens

BOV Water Polo 1^st Division Coach of the Year

Sasa Misic – Marsaxlokk

BOV Referee of the Year

Massimo Angileri

BOV U20 Player of the Year

Sam Gialanze – Neptunes

BOV U18 Player of the Year

Julian Valletta – Neptunes

BOV U16 Player of the Year

Shailon Cutajar Casha – San Giljan

BOV U14 Player of the Year

Giulio Massa – Sliema

Winners Bio Notes

U14 Player of the Year – Giulio Massa

Giulio is a versatile player with big potential. A very capable defender, but can fill other positions around the pitch, which makes him an important asset for the team. Also forms part of the U16 National team, in preparation for the U16 European Championships being held at Manisa this summer.  

U16 Player of the Year – Shailon Cutajar Casha:

A fast nippy player, known for his ability to counter-attack. Learning fast with San Giljan Shailon is an obedient and intelligent athlete. Very active in the San Giljan U18 team, and if he continues to improve at this pace he will surely grow to be an important player for the San Giljan seniors’ team. Shailon also formed part of the U16 national team and participated in the World Championships last year.

U18 and 1st Division Player of the Year – Julian Valletta:

A lanky, intelligent and fast player, Julian continues to improve year after year. Surely a future prospect for Maltese water polo. Julian played a big part in helping his team Neptunes to be one of the important contenders for the U18 league. Julian was part of the U19 National team, participating in the European Championships in Bulgaria.

U20 Player of the Year – Sam Gialanze:

An important young player for his local club Neptunes both in the U20 category as well as the seniors’ team. At his young age one can say that Sam is already an experienced and talented player. He also formed pat of the Malta seniors’ national team and was an important figure in Milan Cirovic’s team in Istanbul during the World Cup Div 2 competition.

BOV  Division 1 Goalkeeper of the year – Miguel Farrugia:

A big improvement was seen by Miguel this year. His safe hands between the Marsaxlokk goal post helped his team win the Div 1 double. A committed young goalkeeper, whom we will surely see continue to improve notably in the pool next season. 

BOV Women’s League Goalkeeper of the Year – Kursty Plumpton

Despite her young age, Kursty has been with Sliema since 2017 where she has won several honours with her team and in addition to her talent between the posts, she reads the game very well and launches several of Sliema’s attacks following her saves.

BOV Premier Division Goalkeeper of the Year – Jake Tanti

Jake has proved to be a high-level goalkeeper year after year. In the past years he has been instrumental in helping his team San Giljan lift numerous trophies in the Premier league. Also, a very important pawn in the seniors’ national team set-up. Considered as an assurance between the posts, with his club San Giljan, the National team, and with Spanish top league team CN Mataro.

BOV Division 1 Player of the year: (also U18 player of the Year) Julian Valletta

Figlio d’arte as they say in Italian, Julian follows the steps of his father Jonathan, a prominent water polo player in his days. A lanky, intelligent and fast player, Julian continues to improve year after year. Surely a future prospect for Maltese water polo. Julian played a big part in helping his team Marsaxlokk win the Div 1 double in season 2023/24. He also formed part of the U19 National team, participating in the European Championships in Bulgaria.

BOV Women’s Player of the Year – Eyla Schembri

Talent and consistency are synonymous with Eyla Schembri, a player who has been with Sliema for many years as well as being a member of the National team. Despite the lack of honours this season, Schembri has shone on a personal level and has always stood out with her goals and creative play throughout the season.

BOV Premier Division Player of the year: Jake Bonavia: 

Jake has grown to be a key player for his team, and at his young age has already won a number of important trophies with his boyhood club San Giljan. He forms part of the Malta seniors’ national team, with whom he is growing to be a fixture in the team headed by Mr Milan Cirovic. Formed part of the Seniors NT who in December registered an excellent 5th place in the World Cup Div 2 in Istanbul.