Forget the Games of the Small States of Europe and those in regional fora where Maltese athletes do at times capture the headlines when winning particular events.

This time the stage is much bigger and more prestigious - a global one - as a Maltese lad is plying his trade and performing exceptionally well in the Italian top waterpolo league in which some of the world's best exponents are playing.

Steve Camilleri was regularly hitting the headlines last year when turning out for his team Rari Nantes Bogliasco. He ended up as his team's top-scorer with 41 goals and eighth overall in Italy in a list of 140 goal-getters, most of whom world-class foreigners.

This season it is very much the same goal-scoring traits which are complementing the Neptunes WPSC player's scheming skills for his Genoa team.

Camilleri is currently again top-scorer for RN Bogliasco with 31 goals and also lying third in the overall list.

The player's scoring feats were acknowledged recently when he was picked to form part of the All-Stars team of foreigners engaged by Italian teams who pitted their strength against an Italian selection in a charity match in aid of the Haiti earthquake victims.

Again it was much of a déjà vu by Camilleri as he managed to insert his name in the scorers' list for the prestigious selection in their emphatic 16-11 victory.

Playing alongside such great players as Filip Filipovic, Vania Udovicic, Norbert Madaras and other players of top quality was a great honour for Camilleri and Maltese sport, waterpolo in particular.

Camilleri somewhat played down the part he has been playing.

"On a personal level my season so far has been satisfactory. My main worry has been my consistency, as at times it is a struggle to maintain a high level throughout," he said.

"The fact that I haven't been able to have a proper break in the last couple of years does not work in my favour," he added when referring to the arduous games in Italy last winter, and the immediate build-up towards the summer season when turning out for Neptunes, only to return to Genoa in autumn and resume his duties with Bogliasco.

Naturally, he was delighted to be picked for the all-star selection.

"When I was first told that I would be taking part in that charity match, I was pleased, to say the least. Mainly because I was playing a small role in helping to raise funds for the children in Haiti. Secondly, I was honoured to have the possibility to form part of a team made up of legends of the sport," he said.

When asked how his exploits abroad could affect the future of waterpolo and sport in general here in Malta, the Neptunes player said he sincerely hoped that all this "would help in further promoting waterpolo in our country both financially, in terms of sponsors and investment, and also regarding its popularity.

"However, for this to be possible, I feel the authorities have to play their part. The sport needs more media attention and also more recognition, as I feel that over the last few years, given the success we achieved in waterpolo, the sport hasn't been given enough of either.

"Also, there are many people in Malta who work hard to this end, especially club officials that do their utmost to bring world-class foreigners many of whom are world and Olympic champions," Camilleri said.

There is no doubt that this Maltese waterpolo star has become an established ambassador of Maltese sport at the highest level.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.