About the Exiles Sports Club

There is a rocky beach below Tower Road in Sliema (Malta) located below the Playing Field under the historical watch tower built by Grand Master De Redin and stretches for about one kilometre right to the end of the same beach below the Kiosk previously known as 'Taormina' (across the road from today's 'Plaza Hotel').              

This area is commonly known as Exiles Beach. The origin of the name is not really known. However there are two completely diverse opinions as to how the name 'Exiles' could have been derived. The first one might have been related to an Office of Customs & Excise (hence the distorted word 'Exiles') which is believed to have been located at innermost part of the beach by the sea side. The second version is that in the streets adjoining Tower Road, Russian exiles, who fled from the Bolshevik Revolution, lived and frequented that neighborhood, and the rocky beach beloe the Tower.

In the area close to the current club premises, there is a small hut which used to be owned by the 'Malta Eastern Club' whose membership was restricted to locals and expatriates (mostly British) working with then 'Cable and Wireless' (later TeleMalta and now Maltacom). The foreign players representing the M.E.C. in the various sports were also known as 'Exiles'.

Exiles Sports Club made use of the Summer Clubhouse belonging to the Civil Service Sports Club for several years until 1990 when the current premises were inaugurated. Construction works had started during May of 1989, to be completed within a few months.

Other Sports

The Club ventured in various fields of sport. However, waterpolo was always its forte.

Football tournaments have organized for a number of years, first in Lija and later in Gharghur. Unfortunately Exiles never managed to build a team strong enough to compete in the leagues run by the Malta Football Association.

Tennis, volleyball, basketball, netball and hockey were sports in which Exiles fielded teams which competed at national level, managing to obtain mixed and encouraging results. Details of our participation in these sports will be dealt with and covered by another article.

Social Activities

The Club has always been known to be strong in the organising of social activities. These have ranged from Car Treasure Hunts to Marathon Walks, New Year’s Eve parties to Quiz Nights. These activities form the base of financing part of the Club’s requirements with the balance being collected from sponsorships. The reliance on these activities has diminished these last years as there is more competition from other means of entertainment like the Cinema, and fund raising functions organized in aid of charity.