Maccabi on the lookout for Maccabiah rugby players
Australia’s road to rugby success at next year’s Maccabiah Games ups the ante in June when trials commence for one of the most fiercely contested sports in Israel.
The green and gold has a proud tradition in the sport, and will look to follow-up performances in recent seasons, where they brought home gold in 2009, while making the grand final in 2013, going down to Israel in the decider, bringing home silver.
Now it’s time to begin the road to the 2017 tournament, which will be conducted under the watch of another top class coaching set-up that is guiding the team to Israel.
Mike Penistone, a well-travelled rugby diehard, who has some of the game’s great minds on speed dial, will take charge of the side in Israel.
Before landing at the Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club and then opening his own rugby coaching consultancy business, Penistone worked with academies and under-21s set-ups at Leicester Tigers and NSW Waratahs, following from extensive experience across England, including a role as head coach at Nottingham. He has also authored books on rugby coaching and is highly regarded in rugby circles.
He’ll be joined by Kieran Wallace, who will be forwards coach. Wallace was an ACT Brumbies junior who has vast experience working with local clubs.
Joining them to select the squad will be two legends of Maccabi rugby, who have been appointed as selectors. Alex Lehrer, who was the captain of the gold medal winning side in Israel in 2009, and Brad Sewitz, one of the great stalwarts of the local club in Sydney, will assist putting together the squad that will go to Israel.
“We know the core of the rugby community here in Sydney, but what we really want from now and until the trials is to spread the word,” Ron Molnar, who will co-manage the side with David Greenstein, said.
“Who are the eligible players playing at a more elite level, not just in Sydney, but across the country, who can join us in vying for gold in Israel? We want to get this message to them.
“The process starts soon. Anyone interested should contact David or myself to register interest.”
Details: Contact David Greenstein ([email protected]) or Ron Molnar ([email protected]) to confirm interest and receive more information for the 2017 Maccabiah rugby campaign.
