Swimming has been part of Emma Tanti’s life for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Malta, she started swimming at the age of three and competed until her late teens before discovering a passion for open-water swimming and freediving. Today, she is the Head Coach at San Giljan Aquatic Sports Club and runs her own swimming club, where she also provides free swimming lessons for people in need.
Her journey into coaching was shaped by her experiences as a young athlete.
“When I was younger, I had a lot of different coaches. Some were very nice and very good and that’s what kept me going. But there were others that made me almost want to give up,” she says. “I decided that I could do it better and that I can be better than that. I want to be the change that I want to see in the industry.”
That belief continues to guide her work today. For Emma, coaching is about far more than improving times or winning competitions. Sport should be a place where athletes feel supported, valued and able to grow.
Success cannot be rushed
One principle has guided Emma throughout her career: consistent effort outweighs short-term talent. In her view, success is built through discipline, resilience and a willingness to keep learning.
That perspective was shaped by experience. One of the most important lessons she has learned as a coach is the value of patience. “Success cannot be rushed,” Emma says. “Real progress takes time, consistency and trust in the process. Building confidence and developing steadily often leads to the best long-term outcomes.”
The same philosophy influences the way she works with athletes. Rather than focusing solely on results, she prioritises long-term development and creating an environment where individuals can reach their potential.
Earning respect in leadership
Emma became one of Malta’s youngest head coaches at the age of 23. Along the way, she encountered some of the assumptions and stereotypes that women in sport still face. “One of the most thought-provoking comments I’ve received as a woman in sport was, at a young age, encountering surprise at being in a leadership role and hearing people suggest that athletes only came to me for sexual reasons rather than for my coaching ability,” she says.
Experiences like these reinforced her determination to let her work speak for itself. Rather than becoming discouraged, she focused on building her expertise, supporting her athletes and continuing to develop as a leader.
Looking beyond medals
The best advice Emma has received reflects the values that now define her coaching philosophy: “Focus on developing people, not just performance. Results are important, but when you invest in an athlete’s character, confidence and wellbeing, the performance often follows.”
For Emma, that principle captures the wider purpose of sport. While victories and medals have their place, she believes the most meaningful impact of sport lies elsewhere. “In sport, I wish more people would value the journey as much as the result. Wins and medals are rewarding, but the real value of sport is in the lessons it teaches: discipline, resilience, teamwork and character,” Emma notes.
It is an approach that shapes her work every day. Whether coaching competitive swimmers, mentoring young athletes or creating opportunities for people who might otherwise miss out, Emma remains focused on helping individuals grow both in and out of the pool.