The Malta Handball Association has backed plans by Luxol Handball Academy to establish a new programme aimed at encouraging more children and young athletes to take up handball.
The association published the announcement on 28 July 2026 following what it described as a positive meeting with academy representatives David Cini and Dean Buhagiar.
The initiative remains at the planning stage publicly. No opening date, age range, venue or registration process has yet been announced.
What Has Been Announced?
The Malta Handball Association said its discussions with Luxol focused on increasing access to the sport, investing in youth programmes and creating a sustainable development structure for young players.
The proposed academy is intended to give children the opportunity to learn and enjoy handball from an early age while providing a pathway through which future talent can develop.
MHA President Vladimiro Comodini said:
“The creation of handball academies is essential for the continued growth and sustainability of handball in Malta.”
He said the association supported initiatives that encouraged youth participation and looked forward to cooperating with Luxol to provide development opportunities for the next generation of players.
David Cini and Dean Buhagiar said their vision was to create an environment where young athletes could develop a passion for handball while learning teamwork, discipline and respect.
Why Youth Development Matters
A new academy could give more families an opportunity to introduce their children to a sport that receives less mainstream attention in Malta than football, basketball or swimming.
It could also widen the pool of young players entering club and national development structures, although the initiative’s eventual reach will depend on factors such as location, affordability, coaching capacity and the age groups accepted.
Youth development has already been identified as a priority by the Malta Handball Association’s committee, which was elected in May 2026. When the committee was announced in July, the association said it intended to focus on youth development, grassroots participation and greater opportunities for athletes, coaches and clubs. MHA has also previously operated its own academy initiative. In October 2024, the association reported that more than 40 players attended an introductory session for a pilot project intended to develop young players and create a pathway towards national-team handball. proposed Luxol initiative would therefore form part of a wider effort to create more structured opportunities within the local sport.
What Families Still Need To Know
The announcement confirms the intention behind the academy but does not yet provide the practical information families would need before deciding whether to participate.
Details still required include:
- The academy’s opening date
- Eligible ages and experience levels
- Training venue
- Session days and times
- Participation or membership fees
- Coaching team
- Registration instructions
- Contact details for parents and guardians
Until those details are officially published, the initiative should be understood as a supported plan rather than an academy that is already open for applications.
The Malta Handball Association was represented by President Vladimiro Comodini, Vice-President Kenneth Hili and Orlando Bonnici, the board member responsible for marketing and growth of the game.
