A new football tournament that allows the community’s dads to showcase their silky skills and technique was launched last week
Supported by Maccabi GB, the Tecta Systems Cup is an interschools dads’ 11-a-side football tournament that will see parents at 15 schools compete in the inaugural competition.
Organised by volunteers Ricky Lawrence and Arieh Miller, the league comprises 15 teams - Alma, Wolfson Hillel, Etz Chaim, Akiva, Clore Shalom, Sinai, North West Jewish Day School, Hertsmere Jewish Primary School, Independent, Sacks Morasha, Clore Tikva, Eden, Mathilda Marks-Kennedy, Rimon and Rosh Pinah - who will initially compete in a group stage. A knock-out stage will then follow, before a grand final in June.
Lawrence said: “Since I started a simple WhatsApp group, we’ve had hundreds of dads playing competitive football again. Since the football competition started, a mums’ netball group has been formed and I’m sure that we could have an entire Olympiad of sports in the near future.”
Jordan Sapler, head of Sport for Maccabi GB said: “It’s an incredible opportunity to see dads of all ages get back into 11-a-side football. We know at Maccabi GB how incredible sport can be as a tool for engagement, for fitness, and for mental health. To have a brand new avenue to engage nearly 500 members of our Jewish and sporting community is truly remarkable.
“This competition perfectly complements the existing and successful Maccabi Masters Football League, Maccabi GB Southern Football League and the Maccabi GB Strollers Walking Football Club by offering yet another avenue for organised, competitive, Jewish football.”
With the competition expected to be an annual cup, and plans for a netball cup also under way, more parents’ sporting competitions are on the horizon.
Any schools which are not taking part but would like to be involved should email: jordan@maccabigb.org
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