Lions win their league
The Lions Football Club has continued to build on their most successful year in the club’s history.
The Lions were already crowned most successful club in the Eastern Suburbs Football Association (ESFA) by being the only club to win the league in three divisions, but on Sunday evening their first-grade side made it back-to-back grand final wins by defeating Queens Park in penalties at Fraser Park.
The first-grade team was playing in their third grand final in a row after ascending through the divisions of ESFA and have now sealed their third-straight promotion to ESFA division 4.
In a tightly contested game, the final score was 1-1 after extra time after a brilliant first half goal from Lions midfielder Chris Barker. Queens Park responded with a goal from a corner two minutes before the half-time break. The match seemed destined for penalties with the Lions prevailing 2-1 after goals from Justin Levy and Stuart Casey. Man of the match, Goalkeeper, Cameron Hankins was nothing short of immense stopping 4 penalties in the shoot-out.
Keeper Cameron Hankins stops another one
In other Lions’ games, the second graders had a hard fought loss to Queens Park in the elimination semi final 3-2 to just miss out on the grand final. Queens Park scored two goals early on, but the Lions rallied with goals on either side of half time to Lloyd Major, however, it was not to be and they fell just short.
The third grade team booked a grand final birth against Coogee United after cruising to a 4-1 win over Waverley Old Boys. Striker, Danny Aron completed his 2nd Hat-trick for the season and a wonder-goal from defender Eli Wine sensationally chipping the Waverley Goalkeeper from behind the halfway line. Their Grand Final will be played on Sunday 6th September.
The Lions Football Club was founded in 2002 by ex-Hineni members Peter Barany, Michael Barel, Richard Benjamin and Ilan Bloom. There is no religious requirement to play for the club and we embrace a diverse player roster, who play with the ethos of hard-work, pride and a fair go. Over 60% of the Lions players are Jewish.
Maccabi is a lame team.
You need to know the right people to get it and that’s the sad thing.
Keep thinking you’re good.
Comes to the lion’s den and we’ll take you with open hands.
You’re only able to talk bullshit on a website and not face to face on the field.
I think you are jealous that an article appeared about us and not you and so you should be because we’re awesome.
I LOVE YOU ILAN BLOOM !!!
I have to say, as a child growing up in the Jewish community and keeping some semblance of Shabbat, I was actually prevented from playing with my peers on a Saturday.
That exclusion was a horrible feeling.
The other horrible thing was actually having to tell people that Shabbat isn’t just on a Friday night, but goes to Saturday night as well. Lots of people in Maccabi don’t know that.
half of the club has played for maccabi at one point in time…some left to go play with their friends, others because they wanted to avoid the stupid politics that changes what should be a fun game every sunday
why cant we celebrate the accomplishments of jews regardless of them playing for a jewish club (altho we are predominantly jewish)?
its just stupid pettiness
regardless, in divisions where lions and maccabi played together, lions came first and maccabi didnt even come close..why would you want to play anywhere else?
ps i want cams babies
Maccabi Supporter, it is your very views that led to the establishment of the Lions in the first place… and possibly one of the reasons behind their remarkable results, harmony and lack of politics.
As the parents of Cameron we were very proud of his part in the game on Sunday night & of the other players in the team. I fail to see what a person’s background has to do with playing sport. Cameron in his career as a ‘keeper’ has played with all nationalities & religious persuasions & that has made him a better person.
I have had little or nothing to do with the Jewish community & I see his involvement with Lions FC as a benefit to him & to me.
All the boys & their girlfriends/wives have made us feel welcome every time we have attended a game & they are people we will always enjoy being around.
Everyone should be proud of their win & see it as a benefit for sport in the local area & for tolerance of other peoples beliefs or background.
Some questions
What’s Maccabi’s policy on players where only one parent (say, the father) is Jewish? Does Maccabi differentiate between Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Renewal, etc? What if a child’s parents never married in a synagogue? Or at all?
Why does Maccabi play in competitions on Saturdays?
Why does Maccabi allow non-Jewish players to play in their soccer teams?
Specifically, why does Maccabi allow non-Jewish, unregistered players to play in their team – even more specifically, one who committed such a violent act, it would have been classed as assault if it weren’t on a sporting pitch?
The hypocrisy astounds.
You can’t be 60% pregnant. You are, or you’re not. You’re either a Jewish Club, or you’re not.
such a small minded comment….i sincerely hope they dont reflect the views of the wider maccabi family………
do Juws really have to only play for Maccabi? Have you really thought that through?
And anyway, how would we find a Jewish goalkeeper who could dive like that?
The Jewish community benefits when organisations actively encourage Jews to participate in social activities with other Jews. Lions FC provides members of the Jewish community with an environment to play socially competitive football without religious bias or politics. We don’t discriminate, so if our non-Jewish friends want to play with us, they can. We foster multi-culturalism, giving non-Jews an opportunity to interact with members of the Jewish community and understand our beliefs and cultures, and vice versa.
Lions FC is proud of its Jewish roots, with an all-Jewish board and a greater than 50% Jewish membership base that shares strong ties with many Jewish communal organisations, including youth movements, AUJS and the various charities. We are equally proud of the success that all of our athletes have achieved this season – a record that every club in the Eastern Suburbs would be proud of – and the achievements of the our Jewish members should be relevant to this forum and the rest of the community.
Ilan Bloom
Jared Rapaport
David Grunstein
Richard Benjamin
Peter Barany
It’s a free country – Jews can play for whatever club they want, and if a predominately Jewish club performs phenomenally then it’s newsworthy.
I’m sure that when Maccabi scores some victories on the field they will be entitled to receive at least equal airplay.
Why is this a relevant article for a Jewish News website? The Lions is not a Jewish club. Those who identify themselves as Jewush should be playing for Maccabi. It is there for them.