|  The Miss Malta Knight Pageant is an annual event held by the Maltese Rugby League Association (MRLA), and by MRLA Ambassador, Maltese-Australian Iron woman athlete and model Candice Falzon. The event, which raises valuable funds for the MRLA to continue its work in taking Rugby League to Malta was started in 2005. The inagural event was highly successful, and helped the MRLA to send a team to Malta to take on the English Lionhearts. The winner of the 2005 event was Rachel Muscat. Information for the 2006 Event will be put on this page as soon as details are confirmed. To find out more about the 2005 event, please read on below. 2005 Recap:  SBS TV's Fat Pizza personality Pauly Fenech as MC, Former rugby league legend Mark Geyer, Iron woman Candice Falzon, Wallaby International Matt Henjak, Multi award winning performer Adam Scicluna-accompanied by Simone Wasley and IBF Pan Pacific Light Middleweight Champion Shannon Taylor were all amongst those on hand at the recent Inaugural 2005 Miss Malta Knight Pageant, the major fundraiser for the Maltese Rugby League Association. Joining the celebrity sporting guests were not only members of Malta's national team in rugby league, but also special guests including members of the executive of Inchcape Motors and Subaru Australia, members of the Australian Maltese Chamber of Commerce (AMCC), the Maltese High Commissioner and his respective state consular general representatives as well as over 430 fellow supporters and sponsors who gathered for the fantastic evening held in Sydney. However it was 20-year-old Rachel Muscat, an Arts and Law student from Woronora Heights that took out the major honour of the night, the inaugural Miss Malta Knight crown that was challenged for by 11 other beautiful contestants. Aside from the Miss Malta Knight crown and a busy schedule of commitments towards Maltese rugby league, Muscat will enjoy a return trip to Malta-thanks to Pageant sponsor Breakaway Travel. “I'm still in shock…” responded Muscat, hours after the announcement. 1st runner-up Lauren Borg and 2nd runner-up Tara Micallef acquired prizes in the form of a weekend away at Peppers Fairmont Resort at the Blue Mountains along with use of a Subaru WRX and a Personal Training & Diet programme provided by former Mr Malta Mr Charlie Duca respectively, for their efforts which included fundraising as well as 2 catwalks entailing leisure and formal wear on the night. National Marketing Manager for Inchcape Motors Mr Toby O'Bree congratulated the MRLA for their efforts in promoting rugby league to the Maltese community. Rugby league legend Mark Geyer echoed O'Bree's comments in praising the MRLA. “the Maltese are very passionate and there needs to be a rugby league team to represent the Maltese community. The MRLA have provided the Maltese community with this opportunity” Geyer responded. Aside from a host of items to go under the hammer on the night, donations towards the auction included a trip to Malta thanks to Panthers Travel, as well as Adam Scicluna offering his services. The success of the evening further helping the MRLA's efforts to stage the first ever rugby league match on Maltese soil, later this year. Malta Head Coach Joe Grima displayed his emotion while hosting a video presentation of Malta's rugby league account to date, before Malta skipper Ben Sammut outlined his excitement towards Malta's future commitments in Malta itself and then the World Cup in 2008. “we've got a professional mix of youth and experience in the team” Sammut expressed in relation to Malta's match against France Espoirs in Malta in October. The Maltese High Commissioner H.E Dr Ivan Fsadni- a special guest, was extremely impressed by the pride and enthusiasm shown by the younger generation of the Maltese-Australian community, an aspect he had not previously experienced throughout his term in Australia. SBS TV's Up your Street program was on location for the marquee event of the Maltese-Australian calendar and filmed the evening. The program will feature on SBS later this year. Miss Malta Knight Ambassador Candice Falzon drew the MRLA Major Raffle on the night, with the following winners. 1ST Prize- Framed & Autographed 2004 NRL Premiers- Bulldogs jersey P.Nicoll- Drummoyne 2ND Prize- Original Subaru Rally Driving suit, as worn (and autographed) by current Australian Rally Champion Cody Crocker. J.Sacco- Rossmore 3RD Prize- Digital Camera, thanks to PCS Australia Karen Curmi- Blacktown 4TH Prize- Harley Davidson Joy Ride Chris Kolkman- Kingswood 5TH Prize- Dinner for Two Janette Miller- Sth Windsor |