Hajja Salesjana Jan-Mar 2019

31 H AJJA S ALESJANA way of how to handle athletics. Matthew is a great inspiration to many and am sure he is one of your mentors. He always had great faith in you and your progressive improvement is evidence. At present you are being trained by another formidable coach: Mario Bonello: still very patient and attentive to the least detail. If you were to compare these two local athletic icons what is your opinion of them? I think that the transition process from Matthew to Mario went smoothly and it was just a consolidation of the same. They do perceive the same basics and principles. Which sessions do you prefer and which sessions do you like less? I am very privileged to say that I started my experience in Athletics with one of the most iconic athletes in Malta’s history and was honoured to learn, train and experience first-hand the highs and lows of training, the sacrifices and the races, with a role model of mine Matthew Crocker. Matthew was my coach when I started running .He showed me the basics and introduced me to a whole new world. When I started to progress, show my potential and achieve results, he suggested I try and take things more seriously and that I should start training with him and his coach Mario Bonello. This proved to be the right choice. With the guidance and impeccable coaching of my new coach I became accustomed to tougher and more frequent training sessions, new concepts on how to train, run and race. However Matthew had already instilled the basics in me and since his philosophy resembled very much that of coach Mario, I experienced a smooth transition. My training varies from long runs, speed endurance, technique and pure speed. I don’t really have any that I dislike, but I do tend to prefer the fast and speed endurance sessions even though these can be some of the hardest sessions one can do. They are fast paced and challenging from the very start till the end. There is always a battle between your mind and body, one tells you to stop the other to just keep going and not think about the fatigue because in the end it is all worth it. You are a Savio College Past Pupil and like many of us, myself included, we carry with us that sense of ownership which distinguishes us from the rest and remains throughout our lives. One of my credos at heart which was Don Bosco’s was “Idleness is the devil’s workshop” and I can say that I lived up to it. I know that you are highly active in the Salesians community. I remember long time ago when I was young, eagerly waiting for those blessed 7 days to share with many other unknown children of my age at the Salesians’ Summer Camps. Such experiences helped me considerably in socialising and learning new talents. Salesians are always at the forefront of youth development. What are your experiences in these regards? Are there more activities on a regular basis apart from the summer Camps? What is your role and what does it entail? I am lucky to say that I completed my Secondary education at Savio College. My school has taught me many things, not just academically but also life lessons that have allowedme to grow as a person. At Savio College I was provided with necessary skills to face my life journey confidently. Needless to say I was sad when my experience as a student was over, but luckily I started a different involvement at Savio College as a Salesian Animator. I’ve had the pleasure to meet and work with many amazing people. We organize activities such as Óbieb Domenico Savio meetings, live-ins and the Summer Camps for children. These