Elisa Cassar grew up in Naxxar, a close-knit town in Malta where people know their neighbours and community means something real. It’s the kind of place, she says, where familiar faces and shared traditions create a sense of belonging that quietly shapes who you become.
For Elisa, that shaping happened early – and it happened through dance.
A Life Built Around Movement
She started dancing as a child, drawn in by the rhythm and the freedom of it. What began as a fun activity gradually became something much more central to her life. “Dance became more than just a hobby,” she says. “It’s a way for me to express myself, stay active, and challenge myself both physically and mentally.” By her early twenties, she was no longer just a dancer – she had moved into coaching and joined the Programmes Department at SportMalta, working to bring those same opportunities to others.
But being active in sport doesn’t mean the path is always clear. Before joining the Girls Positive and Safe Coaching Pathway, Elisa felt she was missing something. She had the experience, and she had the drive – but she was looking for direction. “I sometimes felt unsure about how to progress further,” she reflects. “I was looking for a space where I could feel safe, build confidence, and develop not only my skills but also myself as a person.”
More Than a Training Programme
When the opportunity to join the Pathway was shared through her workplace, it caught her attention immediately. The focus on creating positive, safe environments in sport felt directly relevant to the work she was already doing – and to the kind of coach she wanted to become.
Through structured sessions, discussions, and real-life scenarios, Elisa explored the finer points of coaching: how to communicate with different individuals, how to encourage participation, how to build an environment where people – especially young girls – feel genuinely included.
I learned that coaching is not just about instruction, but also about awareness, empathy, and the way you interact with each individual.
My journey is proof that when communities invest in girls, empower them, and give them opportunities, transformation becomes possible.
One of the most unexpected lessons came from noticing just how much the small things matter. A tone of voice. A moment of acknowledgement. The way a session is set up. These details, she discovered, can make the difference between someone feeling like they belong or feeling like they don’t. Stepping outside her comfort zone wasn’t always easy – there were moments in group discussions where she had to reflect honestly on her own approach, which felt uncomfortable at first. But those moments turned out to be among the most valuable.
It ended up helping me grow and see things from a different perspective. It made me more intentional and thoughtful in how I support others.
Carrying It Forward
The change hasn’t stayed in the training room. Elisa carries what she learned into her work at SportMalta every day – paying closer attention to communication, making sure participants feel included, and being more conscious of the impact she can have on the young people she works with. She’s also built connections with others who share her values, a network of people committed to making sport a better, safer, and more welcoming space.
Looking ahead, Elisa’s vision is clear. She wants to keep growing as a coach, deepen her work in dance, and contribute to a culture where sport isn’t only about performance – but about confidence, wellbeing, and connection. She hopes to see more opportunities in her community where everyone, regardless of background or ability, feels they truly belong.
For anyone hesitating to take a step like this, her message is simple and direct: go for it.
You don’t need to be perfect or have everything figured out before you start. Taking that first step might feel uncomfortable, but it can lead to really positive and meaningful changes.
Elisa’s story is, at its heart, about what happens when someone is given the right environment to grow. Not just as a coach – but as a person who believes in the power of sport to change lives, starting with her own.
Girls Positive and Safe Coaching Pathway 