Play soccer for Australia in Israel
With football fever bursting in Australia, Maccabi is also in the act with Maccabiah Games trials about to commence for our up and coming talent with hopes of representing their country at the Maccabiah in Israel in 2017.
Registrations are open for players who want to nominate ahead of the trial process commencing, with football having an earlier nominations deadline of 12 June.
Trials will take place for Youth Boys (players born in 1999 or 2000), Junior Boys (players born in 2001 or 2002) and Junior Girls (players born from 1999-2002) at the new synthetic football fields at Waverley Park in Sydney on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 July, 2016.
On the Tuesday, both male squads will be put through their paces with trial matches against A-League club Sydney FC’s academy teams, with the Youth Boys player the Sky Blues under-18s, and the Junior Boys will play the under-16s. The girls’ group will play the UNSW Lions under-15s side, currently equal first in the Women’s Super League.
All three sides will be guided under the watchful eye of vastly experienced coaches.
Maccabi Australia has appointed Mark Gannon as coach of the Youth Boys side, while Kerry Lambos will take charge of the Junior Boys’ campaign.
Gannon brings a wealth of experience to the Maccabiah football coaching set-up, having led teams to premierships and grand final championships at youth and senior level in state league and National Premier League levels. He is currently the coach of the Hakoah FC under-18s in Sydney, who are top of the table halfway through the season.
Lambos comes to the Maccabiah set-up with extensive experience at National Premier League 1 clubs in New South Wales, including St George Bankstown City and Sydney Olympic. He turned to coaching after a playing career which included a stint overseas, as well as representing Australia in the youth ranks.
Youth Boys Team Manager Mick Swibel said: “This will be my seventh Maccabiah Games and I’m just as excited as I was for my first way back in 1981.
“You’re representing your country and community at the Maccabiah and to have that honour is a wonderful experience.”
He added: “To walk into the stadium for the opening ceremony and to sing the Hatikvah is a very emotional moment and one each athlete will never forget.
“Then to go into competition against the best young Jewish footballers from around the world is a challenge no Aussie youngster will want to miss.”
A Maccabiah spokesman told J-Wire that the trials being held in Sydney are national and players from a cross Australia are invited to apply.
Hi I have a son who would love to join academy we from South Africa
its his passion he has taken after my dad who was and still is a professional Ball player fro LEEDS UNITED.How can my son join your academy
please contact me .
I will tell you why we “bother ” to send a team.
Whiilst the bridge collapse & it’s terrible consequences were a tragedy for several of our families , it is still none the less a wonderful opportunity for Jewish athletes to compete every 4 years in Israel at Maccabiah , which is the third largest sporting contest in the world & is a unique experience for those fortunate enough to participate
Next year , as on every occasion , there will a commemorative ceremony at the site for all of our team members
We shall never forget what occurred on that terrible evening , however that is not a reason not to participate in the memory of those who perished
Barry Smorgon OAM
President Maccabi Australia
Inc
After the 1997 bridge disaster and the way the Israelis handled its results,I wonder why Australian
Jewry still participates in the Maccabiah.