Maccabiah

Israel names 15-man squad for Maccabiah

Danny Caro — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:58:11 +0100

Raymond Aston has been appointed captain of the Israeli Open cricket team at next month’s Maccabiah Games.

The host nation has selected a 15-man squad for the competition which gets under way on July 18.

Aston, who plays for Young Ashdod, will work closely with vice-captain Eshkol Solomon in a squad featuring four players from Raanana, including former skipper Herschel Gutman.

SQUAD:
Raymond Aston (Capt, Young Ashdod)
Eshkol Solomom (Vice-captain, Super Lions Lod)
Danny Maliankar (Young Ashdod)
Shailesh Bangerra (Super Lions Lod)
Shalom Rubin (Super Lions Lod)
Herschel Gutman (Raanana)
Josh Evans (Raanana)
Gabi Schachat (Raanana)
Matt Hoffman (Raanana)
Yaniv Razpurker (Neve Yonatan)
Itamar Kehimkar (Neve Yonatan)
Matan Razpurkar (Neve Yonatan)
Nir Dokarker (Dimona A)
Safania Nagavkar (Dimona C)
Shifron Waskar (Beersheva Lions)

Edwards ready for Maccabiah test

Danny Caro — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:18:07 +0100

Ellie Edwards hopes to show real star qualities when she takes to the world stage at the 19th Maccabiah Games in Israel next month.

The Trafford Athletics Club runner is on the road to recovery following a series of injuries over the past 18 months and caught the eye at the recent Greater Manchester Schools Championship.

Aiming to hit 26.0 seconds in the 200m to qualify for the English Schools finals, she ran a season’s best 26.6 in the heats and, just an hour later, she achieved the time she wanted to cement her place at the Greater Manchester Team finals in early July.

Indeed Edwards, 16, appears to be finding her best form at just the right time, and is confident she will show her rivals a clean pair of heels at the Hadar Yosef Stadium in Ramat Gan.

"I'm getting very excited about the Games," she said ahead of her first Maccabiah. "I've met up with the track and field team twice now, and they seem a really friendly bunch of boys who have made me very welcome, even though I am the only girl on the team.

"My preparations are going well and it will be a great honour to represent my country for the first time."

With the majority of her rivals from warmer climes, Edwards hopes that her recent experiences of representing her school - Manchester High – in netball and hockey in the Far East will stand her in good stead.

"I have never competed in an athletics event abroad before,” she said. “I think the heat will affect me, but unfortunately we can't prepare for that in this country.

"I recently ran in a race on a rare hot day here and I need to make sure I have plenty to drink to keep myself hydrated."

Ellie’s athletics prowess was identified in Year Three, when she outclassed the field at a school cross country competition. Following her success, she lined up against 13 other schools and made history by becoming the first pupil from King David to win a gold medal.

Upon joining Bury Athletics Club, the coaches realised that Ellie had real talent and she powered to victories at the Manchester Primary Schools Cross Country and won the County title at 75m in the same year.

Gold is on the agenda again for Ellie in Israel next month, but she is taking nothing for granted. "On a personal level, just to win a medal would be great, but to get on the podium would be fantastic for me."

She regards being the ninth fastest sprinter in England over 200m for her age and representing Greater Manchester at the English Schools Championship as her biggest achievements in the sport so far.

Ahead of her second visit to Israel, she plans to compete in several events, including the 100m, 200 – which she describes as her "strongest event" - and the 400m. She could also line up in the long jump and there is possibility of a place in the Rest of the World Relay team, as the only track and field athlete from GB.
Athletics runs in the family, with Ellie’s grandfather, Oskar, a former competitor for Austria.

Ellie says she is as focused on her studies as she is on her athletics. "I'm actually quite organised in terms of balancing the two," she said. "I think the sport gives me discipline. I have a routine that works for me."

Asked about her pre-race ritual, she said: “Just before the start, I think this is my one chance and I try to get in the zone and try to be focused. I always kiss my magen david around my neck and always have it on before a race."

So what is it like being one of the top junior athletes in the country? "I don't actually feel that I’ve missed out on very much," said Ellie, "but I do have to discipline my time if I know I have school work, parties and training.

"I always try and get a good night’s sleep in before a race and may forego the odd sleepover, but not too much."

A tough fitness regime sees Ellie train up to four times a week, with a combination of running, plyometrics and conditioning.

"They are usually an hour and a half sessions," she said. "I eat a well-balanced diet, but allow myself treats as I know I will burn them off at training. I try to eat carbohydrates the night before a race and take bananas with for after."

In terms of sporting heroes, Ellie describes Usain Bolt and Jessica Ennis as her favourite role models.

"I was thrilled to be able to see both of them at the Olympics last summer in London," she said. "It was amazing to see them in action and gave me a real buzz for the sport and the Maccabiah for this summer.

"My parents have always encouraged and supported me in every way and I would like to think I have my dad's competitive streak and, thankfully, my mum’s athletic build."

GB ready for futsal frenzy at Maccabiah

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:19:33 +0100

The Team GB Open futsal squad continued their preparations for the 19th Maccabiah Games in Israel by claiming an impressive 9-6 victory over Loughborough University.

An 11-man squad features eight players under 22 years of age, with Motti Colman the most senior squad member at 30. He will be able to call on his experience playing for Tel Aviv in the Israeli National Futsal League.

The side also features two England internationals in Jon Kurrant, who has been capped by the Full National Team, and Russell Goldstein, who has played for the U21 side. Kurrant will also be the squad’s coach.

The man who will be looking to lead the side to a potential medal in Israel will be seasoned manager, Andy Landesberg, who recently guided London Maccabi Lions to JC Cyril Anekstein Cup success.

Speaking about the squad and the team’s expectations for the Games, Landesberg said: "This is a very tight-knit group of players and the spirit is fantastic.

"Jon Kurrant is a key member of this squad, not only for his playing ability, but his fantastic tactical knowledge in what is a very technical game.

"With the mix of players we have, we are very positive about the quality and experience within the group. Players including Max Kyte, Nick Landesberg, Charlie Rubin, Ricky Engleman and Liron Mannie all had a fantastic season at London Maccabi Lions, and Daniel Lipman and James Castle are both excellent Futsal keepers.

"We are all looking forward to the challenge that lies before us in Israel. The quality of the eastern European teams, as well as the excellent South Americans, means we have a mammoth task ahead. But this is a great bunch and you just never know.

"The boys have already expressed their excitement leading up to what will be a debut Maccabiah Games for many of them, and I feel delighted that they will be representing the cream of Jewish Futsal in the UK against other Jewish players from around the world. It really is an amazing opportunity."

TEAM GB OPEN FUTSAL SQUAD (age in brackets)
Jon Kurrant (24)
Russell Goldstein (19)
Pablo Ostrick (22)
Motti Colman (30)
Daniel Lipman (19)
Nick Landesberg (19)
Charlie Rubin (19)
Max Kyte (20)
Liron Mannie (19)
Ricky Engleman (22)
James Castle (24)
Manager: Andy Landesberg
Coach: Jon Kurrant

19th Maccabiah Cricket draws

Danny Caro — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:19:12 +0100

Here are full details of the cricket schedule for the 19th Maccabiah Games in Israel.

OPEN CRICKET
Thursday, July 18 - Opening Ceremony (7pm) - Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem

Friday, July 19
Great Britain vs South Africa - Lod (10am)
Israel vs India - Ashdod (10am)
Canada vs Australia - Hadar Yosef 2 - Tel Aviv (10am)

Sunday, July 21
Great Britain vs India - Hadar Yosef 2 (10.30am)
Israel vs Canada - Lod (10.30am)

Monday, July 22
India vs Australia - Hadar Yosef 1

Tuesday, July 23
Great Britain vs Israel - Ashdod

Wednesday, July 24
South Africa vs Canada - Ashdod

Thursday, July 25
REST DAY

Friday, July 26
Great Britain vs Canada - Hadar Yosef 2 (10am)
Australia vs Israel - Lod (10am)
India vs South Africa - Ashdod (10am)

Sunday, July 28
Great Britain vs Australia - Ashdod (10.30am)
South Africa vs Israel - Hadar Yosef 1 10.30am)
India vs Canada - Lod 10.30am)

Monday, July 29
Final - Gold medal match - Ashdod (10.30am)
3rd vs 4th - bronze medal match - Lod (10.30am)

Tuesday, July 30
Closing Ceremony - Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem (7pm)

---------------------------------
---------------------------------

JUNIOR CRICKET
Thursday, July 18 - Opening Ceremony (7pm) - Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem

Friday, July 19
Great Britain vs Israel - Hadar Yosef 1 (10am)

Sunday, July 21
Great Britain vs South Africa - Ashdod (10:30am)

Monday, July 22
South Africa vs Israel Hadar Yosef 2 (10.30am)

Tuesday, July 23
REST DAY

Wednesday, July 24
Great Britain vs South Africa - Lod (10.30am)

Thursday, July 25
Great Britain vs Israel - Lod (10.30am)

Friday, July 26
South Africa vs Israel - Hadar Yosef 1 Tel Aviv (10am)

Sunday, July 28
Gold medal match - 1st vs 2nd - Hadar Yosef 2

Tuesday, July 30
Closing Ceremony - Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem (7pm)

Bring on the Germans, says Stone

Danny Caro — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:44:48 +0100

Michael Stone says the Team GB Open Football squad will approach the Maccabiah Games in confident mood after being paired in the same group as Germany.

The draw for several sports was made in Israel this week and the blue riband event sees 2009 runners-up GB also up against fellow seeds South Africa, Colombia and Peru in the only five-team group in the competition.

Head coach Stone, formerly of Spurs and Barnet, has been researching GB’s opponents, with manager David Pollock and assistant-coach Darren Yarlett. He said: "There are some positives and negatives. The fact that we’re in the biggest group gives us a cushion if one of the results doesn’t go our way. But that extra game will put extra demands on the players physically, with little recovery time between games.

"The likelihood is that we’ll be playing seven games over the best part of 10 days. It will certainly mean the squad will be tested in terms of depth – both quality-wise and fitness-wise."

Beaten on penalties by Argentina in the final four years ago, GB are the second seeds, based largely on their progress over recent Maccabiot.

Most of Pollock’s players come from London Lions who recently won the Spartan South Midlands League Division One and Stone believes this will give them an advantage.

He said: "A lot of them come on the back of a very demanding season, but more importantly, they bring with them a winning mentality. We have a very tight-knit changing room and many of the squad are experienced at this level. They know what to expect."

GB are current European champions after winning gold in Vienna two years ago, where they beat Germany 4-0.

"We know we’re taken a lot more seriously these days," said Stone. "Now it’s a case of taking it through to the next level.

"The Germans are always strong, hard to beat and hard to break down. They have the nucleus of a good side."

But Stone believes South Africa will pose the biggest threat in the group phase. "I remember playing them in a playoff a few years ago," he said. "They always have some talented players and will be tricky opponents.

"I believe they even approached Dean Furman with a view to joining the squad and that speaks volumes about their ambitions.

"Colombia and Peru will also be dangerous as they are something an unknown quantity.

"There are no weak sides in the competition and the standard has improved. We certainly won’t be taking any team lightly.

"We want to qualify in first place, first and foremost, and the main focus will be on ourselves. We will get our preparations spot on.

"Our aim is gold and there is a case of unfinished business for many of the boys. For some of them, it will be their last chance in the Open squad."

GB will train three times a week. They plan to play two friendlies before flying to Israel and will go on a training camp in Reading this weekend.

It is clear the GB camp is keen to exorcise the demons of the 2009 final. "Penalties are certainly on the agenda in training," said Stone.

"We have a good coaching team, including a sports psychologist, and we’ll be focusing on the shootout scenario as part of our preparations."

Maccabiah Games draws for Team GB

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:00:51 +0100

Maccabi GB’s teams now know who they will be facing in Israel this summer as all groups have been drawn for the 19th Maccabiah Games.

Maccabi GB, who is in partnership with UJIA, have been highly seeded for many of the sports, owing greatly to their success in the 18th Maccabiah Games in 2009 where they won nine gold, 13 silver and 18 bronze medals. They will be looking to better those results this time.

The draw sees Team GB pitted against a variety of countries in the numerous sports ranging from the international powerhouses of USA, Brazil, South Africa and hosts, Israel, to Maccabi delegations which include Peru and India.

The full draw, with sports involving Maccabi GB, can be found below (seeded team number in brackets):

OPEN FOOTBALL (MALE)

GROUP A
ARGENTINA (1)
CANADA (8)
VENEZUELA
CHILE

GROUP B
GREAT BRITAIN (2)
SOUTH AFRICA (7)
GERMANY
COLOMBIA
PERU

GROUP C
ISRAEL (3)
AUSTRALIA (6)
FRANCE
BRAZIL

GROUP D
MEXICO (4)
USA (5)
DENMARK
URUGUAY

---------------------------------

OPEN FUTSAL (MALE)

GROUP A
ISRAEL (1)
GERMANY
GUATEMALA
MOLDOVA

GROUP B
BRAZIL (2)
HOLLAND
GREAT BRITAIN
SPAIN
SOUTH AFRICA

GROUP C
RUSSIA (3)
SERBIA
URUGUAY
FRANCE

GROUP D
ARGENTINA (4)
AUSTRALIA (5)
USA
CUBA

--------------------------------------

OPEN RUGBY (MALE)

GROUP A
AUSTRALIA (1)
ISRAEL
SOUTH AFRICA
CHILE (7)

GROUP B
GREAT BRITAIN (2)
USA
CANADA (6)

• USA IS DRAWN INTO GROUP A OR B, ISRAEL GOES INTO OPPOSITE GROUP
• SOUTH AFRICA IS DRAWN INTO GROUP A OR B
------------------------------------

JUNIOR FOOTBALL (BOYS: U16)

GROUP A
ISRAEL (1)
USA
CHILE
VENEZUELA
AUSTRALIA
GERMANY

GROUP B
ARGENTINA (2)
BRAZIL
SOUTH AFRICA
RUSSIA
GREAT BRITAIN
CANADA

-----------------------------------

YOUTH FOOTBALL (BOYS: U18)

GROUP A
ISRAEL (1)
USA
CANADA
BRAZIL
SWEDEN

GROUP B
MEXICO (2)
GREAT BRITAIN
ARGENTINA
SPAIN
SOUTH AFRICA
GERMANY

-----------------------------------

OPEN CRICKET (MALE)
AUSTRALIA
CANADA
GREAT BRITAIN
INDIA
ISRAEL
SOUTH AFRICA

-----------------------------------

OPEN RUGBY 7’s (MALE)
GREAT BRITAIN
ISRAEL
SOUTH AFRICA
USA

-----------------------------------

OPEN WATER POLO (MALE)
BRAZIL
GREAT BRITAIN
HUNGARY
ISRAEL
ITALY
USA

-----------------------------------

YOUTH FUTSAL (BOYS: U18’s)
ARGENTINA
BRAZIL
GREAT BRITAIN
HUNGARY
MEXICO
RUSSIA
SPAIN

-----------------------------------

JUNIOR FUTSAL (BOYS: U16s)
ARGENTINA
BRAZIL
GREAT BRITAIN
SPAIN
TURKEY

-----------------------------------

JUNIOR NETBALL (GIRLS: U18s)
AUSTRALIA
GREAT BRITAIN
ISRAEL
SOUTH AFRICA

-----------------------------------

JUNIOR RUGBY 7’s & XV’s (BOYS)
GREAT BRITAIN
ISRAEL
SOUTH AFRICA

-----------------------------------

MASTERS FOOTBALL (MALE: 35+)
ARGENTINA
BRAZIL
CHILE
GREAT BRITAIN
ISRAEL
MEXICO
USA

-----------------------------------

MASTERS FOOTBALL (MALE: 45+)
ARGENTINA
AUSTRALIA
BRAZIL
GREAT BRITAIN
ISRAEL
USA

-----------------------------------

MASTERS FUTSAL (MALE: 35+)
ARGENTINA
GREAT BRITAIN
HONG KONG
ISRAEL
MEXICO
RUSSIA

GB netball stars ready to sparkle in Israel

Danny Caro — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:34:54 +0100

Team GB Open Netball squad will be going for gold at next month's Maccabiah Games has been selected.

The side featured a number of experienced players, some of whom have come up through the Junior ranks and represented their country at past Maccabiot and European Maccabi Games.

Overseeing the push for gold will be Head Coach, Lesley Tischler. She brings with her a wealth of experience, being a Middlesex Talent Scout and coaching the County under-17 squad.

Supporting her will be player-manager Sophie Lovat, who will be participating in her third Netball competition at a Maccabiah Games, having featured in both the Junior and Open Squads in the past.

As Head of Maccabi GB Netball Club, Lovatalready has a strong relationship with many of the Team GB players – five of which play in the Club on a weekly basis - and will be looking to utilise that to inspire the squad in Israel this summer.

Maccabi GB will be looking to go one step further than the silver medal they won in 2009 against Australia in the Final.

Speaking about the squad and the team’s expectations for the 19th Maccabiah Games, Maccabi GB Netball Chair, Beverly Jones said: "This is the 20th anniversary for Open Netball at the Maccabiah Games. During this time Maccabi GB has won one gold, one silver and two bronze medals, with the Juniors joining the competition in 1997.

"We have a strong squad covering a wide range of ages, including several players who can draw on their knowledge from previous International Competitions. All this experience in the squad means another gold medal will be coming home."

"The Maccabiah Games is always a spectacular event for any athlete and it gives me great pride to seeing these girls, all of whom come from different backgrounds, competing together and meeting other Jewish athletes from around the world."

GB OPEN NETBALL SQUAD:
Sophie Lovat
Jessica Pinnick
Ella Dennison
Claire Lewis
Natalie Klier
Abi May
Amy Needleman
Justine Harris
Ruth Davis
Emma Izon

GB ranked second in Maccabiah draw

Danny Caro — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 10:07:58 +0100

Team GB will face South Africa, Germany, Colombia and Peru in the group stages of the Open Football competition at next month’s Maccabiah Games in Israel.

Ranked second in the tournament, GB claimed silver at the 2009 Games and they will be confident of reaching the quarter-finals.

Israel (3), Australia (6), France and Brazil will battle it out in Group C – the group of death.

Full draw:

Group A: Argentina (1), Canada (8), Venezuala, Chile
Group B: England (2), South Africa (7), Germany, Colombia, Peru
Group C: Israel (3), Australia (6), France, Brazil
Group D: Mexico (4), USA (5), Denmark, Uruguay

GB swimmers looking to make a splash in Israel

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:01:22 +0100

Maccabi GB has selected the Team GB Swimming squads who will be aiming for gold at this summer’s 19th Maccabiah Games.

There will be six Junior athletes and two Open athletes competing. The side’s talent pool is overflowing, featuring some of the best young Jewish swimmers in the country.

The GB squad is double the size of that which competed at 2009 Maccabiah Games. However, although most of the swimmers have represented Team GB at either a JCC Games or European Maccabi Games, all eight will be competing at their maiden Maccabiah on July 18.

The Junior Girls Squad includes 2011 European Maccabi Games medallist, Hollie Fisher. Joining her are Chloe Jacobs, Elisha Kramer and Rachel Ayrton, with Robert Dos Santos and Daniel Schindler completing the Junior Boys. All six are JCC Maccabi Games medal-winners and will be hoping to draw upon this experience in Israel.

The Open Squad sees another joint-JCC Maccabi Games and European Maccabi Games medallist take to the water - Naomi Ayrton, older sister of Rachel.

Completing the line-up is possibly the team’s most experienced swimmer, Adam Warner – winner of the Brighton Pier-to-Pier Race 2012, as well as two Golds (800 and 1500m freestyle) and one Bronze (400m freestyle) at the British Gas Senior and Masters National Championships.

Injecting some much-needed experience and guidance to the Squad will be Team Manager, Abbi Pinnick. She has a plethora of Maccabiot under her belt, having won a Swimming Relay Bronze in 2001 and a Netball Silver from 2009. She has also overseen the Maccabi GB Swimming Squad at the JCC Maccabi Games 2010.

Speaking about expectations for her swimmers at the 19th Maccabiah Games, Pinnick, said, "Having represented my country before at the Maccabiah Games, I know that the Squad will have a fantastic time – it is my job to ensure they enjoy themselves and the whole experience.

"We have some very talented swimmers in both age groups and I’m excited to be part of Maccabi GB alongside them and other members of the Jewish Community from around the world."

TEAM GB MACCABIAH SWIMMING SQUAD:

Junior Girls:
Rachel Ayrton
Chloe Jacobs
Elisha Kramer
Hollie Fisher

Junior Boys:
Robert Dos Santos
Daniel Schindler

Open Women:
Naomi Ayrton

Open Men:
Adam Warner

Team GB names Maccabiah water polo squad

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:01:55 +0100

Team GB will take a 12-man Water Polo squad to compete at this summer’s 19th Maccabiah Games.

The side’s talent pool is overflowing, featuring some of the best players in the country, and managing to blend youth with experience. Included in the squad are two Maccabiah debutants, Josh Brown and Jared Baker, who both play at a top level in the British National Water Polo League.

Joining them is David Lewis, who played for GB as an 18-year-old in 1997 and has since been playing at a high standard in Australia.

The side will be hoping that leading talent, James Kattan, will be fit in time for 18th July as he is recovering from recent keyhole surgery on his shoulder.

Maccabi GB will be lead by one of the top Water Polo coaches, Nikola Jovanovic. Jovanovic’s CV is one of the most impressive in the Team GB delegation.

Having played in the first division Water Polo for Serbian Club NIS Classic from 1992-2000, he went on to coach and manage the side from 2000-2005. During that time, NIS was a force to be reckoned with, as the team featured strongly in the first division, the Serbian-Montenegro Cup, LEN Cup and they won the European Water Polo League.

In 2008 he moved to the UK to become Development Officer at the London Swimming Regional Training Centre, which was followed by a role as the London 2012 Olympic Games Technical Operations Manager for Water Polo.

In preparations for Israel, the team has entered a European water polo tournament in Mallorca, Spain just two weeks before they leave for Israel. Most of the squad and the GB Management Team will be travelling to Spain for what should be ideal preparation against teams from Spain, England and Germany.

GB player Neil Haftal said: “The more experienced players in the squad, who have been to previous Maccabiot, are under no illusion of the tough task that faces us in Israel. Water Polo is a major sport in Israel, USA, Hungary and Brazil with many of their squads playing full time. We are, however, boosted by securing the experienced Serbian coach, Nikola Jovanovic, and some fantastic talent in the side.

“Playing for Maccabi GB at the Maccabiah Games is one of the greatest honours you can have as a British Jew and I know that all the boys will enjoy themselves, whether they’ve been before or are going to Israel for the first time."

SQUAD:

Jared Baker (18)
Started playing at HABS. Has represented county and regional level for under-18 and trained with the Great Britain team. Started playing for Maccabi GB in 2008 and has since played for Watford and Polytechnic. Currently playing in the British National League First Division.

Steve Behr (40)
Started playing at HABS. Played under-16 for North England Students then with Polytechnic in 1st Division National League for eight years (1998 - 2005). Past Maccabiot: 1989, 1993 and 1997.

Ashley Blake (32, Goalkeeper)
Started playing at HABS. Represented Middlesex and Southern Counties and invited to train with England. Played at University of Birmingham and Penguin Juniors.

Josh Brown (21)
Played at City of London School (2003-2009), Polytechnic (2007-2011), Durham, Team Northumbria (2011-current) and University (2010-present). Top-scorer in the British National League Championship Division Two this year.

Arron Gould (16)
Played in the ESSA (National League). Under-14 and under-16 winner and was recently a finalist in the under-18 age group. Trains with the Manchester Water Polo Club Men's team and regularly trains with the GB National Women's team.

Neil Haftel (57)
Started playing at Harrow at both local and National League level. Currently plays for Watford in the National, London and Middlesex Leagues. Past Maccabiot: 1973, 1977 (Swimming) 1989, 1993 and 2005 (Water Polo).

Dan Kattan (36)
Started playing at HABS and has played for Herts County, Southern Counties and Manchester University, where he won the BUSA Championship. Playing in Middlesex, Herts and London Leagues since 1993 with Maccabi GB and now Watford. Past Maccabiot: 1993, 1997 and 2005

James Kattan (32)
Started playing at HABS. Has represented County, Regional and International all at U18 Level. Played National League Division 1 with Hammersmith Penguins before University, now playing with Watford and Maccabi GB. Past Maccabiot: 1997 and 2005

Sammy Kattan (35)
Started playing at HABS. Represented County and Regional at under-18 level. Played at Leeds University. Currently living in Israel. Past Maccabiah: 1997

David Lewis (33)
Started playing at Highgate School. Represented Southern Counties and captained Middlesex. He also played for Penguin Juniors as well as representing the University of Massachussets at the NCAA Division One Final Four Water Polo Championships. He currently plays for the UNSW Wests Magpies in the Sydney Metro League. Past Maccabiah: 1997

Yakov Sadovskii (28)
Started playing in Canada at age 11. Played two seasons in the French National League, followed by two seasons with Ealing in British National league. Currently plays for Watford in the National, London and Middlesex Leagues.

Gyorgy Szemere (35)
Started in Hungary aged seven for KSI. Played for the University of Birmingham and Maccabi GB in 1996. Played for a year in German Team, Essen06. Trained with London Polytechnic in preparation for the Maccabiah games in 2005. Currently plays for Zurich City Water Polo team in the Swiss First Division, East National League and Second Division North National League (2nd XI). Past Maccabiah: 2005