Active Fridays: Inspiring a Culture of Physical Activity in Schools

Active Fridays was an initiative launched in 2018 with the aim of encouraging children to lead more active and healthy lifestyles through enjoyable physical activity experiences. Every Friday, primary schools across Malta and Gozo, together with various indoor and outdoor sports complexes, hosted a wide range of innovative physical activity events and sporting disciplines. These activities gave students the opportunity to experience new sports, develop fundamental movement skills, and discover the joy of being active in a fun and inclusive environment.

The initiative proved to be highly successful, engaging thousands of students and strengthening collaboration between schools, sports organisations, and the wider community. Although Active Fridays came to a temporary halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, its positive impact laid the foundation for a more sustainable approach to physical education and school sport.

Following the pandemic, the concept evolved into a more structured and continuous programme. Today, a dedicated team of specialist primary PE teachers, known as the PE Resource Event Teachers, organises physical activity events and learning experiences on a daily basis throughout the school year. Their work continues with the vision of Active Fridays by providing high-quality, inclusive, and engaging opportunities that promote lifelong participation in physical activity and sport.

The legacy of Active Fridays lives on through this enhanced model, ensuring that students across Malta and Gozo continue to benefit from meaningful physical activity experiences that support their physical, social, and emotional wellbeing.