Sport
Green to lead Maccabi GB at Pan American Games
Brian Green has been appointed Head of Delegation for Maccabi GB ahead of next year’s Pan American Maccabi Games in Mexico.
February 6, 2018 16:12
2 min read
Brian Green has been appointed Head of Delegation for Maccabi GB ahead of next year’s Pan American Maccabi Games in Mexico.
February 6, 2018 16:12Green, who was a flag bearer for the delegation at last summer’s Maccabiah Games in Israel, has been installed for what will be his 13th international Games in a management capacity but 2019 will be his first PanAm event.
Speaking about his appointment, he said. “I thought I had ticked all the boxes for MGB when I had the honour of carrying the flag at the opening ceremony at last year’s Maccabiah. But to be asked to lead the delegation at the PanAm is an absolute privilege which I am relishing.”
Green has appointed Daniel Jacobs and Rob Glass to lead the Masters 35+ Football squad and Brian Donne and Ian Leader to manage the Masters 55+. This comes just weeks after Darryl Lee, Adam Solomons and Adam Fegan took on the same positions for the 45+ Football squad.
Jacobs was in charge of the Masters at the 2017 Maccabiah and he described his position as “a true honour”. He said: “It’ll be a tough challenge, more so with the competition for the first time, taking place in the summer months. But it’s one to relish - the chance to take on the powerhouses of Maccabi Masters football in their own back yard was one too good to turn down, and with the quality of footballers I know we have I’m sure we’ll have a group to compete.
“However my mantra has always been that these trips must be more than just football and more than just the 10 days. To that end, for those lucky enough to be selected, we will once again deliver a year to savour on and off the pitch culminating, we hope, with a challenge for a medal out in Mexico”
Glass is a Uefa licenced coach and worked with an MLS feeder club in Michigan two years ago. He has also captained London Lions in the South Midlands League and Maccabi London Lions in the Garston League, as well as having played at two Maccabiahs.
"It's an honour to be a part of this set up with the other managers and to represent my country once again. With the calibre of players available, we have a real chance,” said Glass.
Ian Leader and Brian Donne have the full set of Maccabi medals. They won silver at the European Maccabi Games in 1983 followed by bronze as part of the first over 45’s tournament at the 2008 Pan Am’s in Argentina. They went one better a year later and won Maccabiah gold.
Leader, who has been managing EHRS for the past 18 years said: “We thought our international days were over so to now have another opportunity at over 55’s is absolutely fantastic and very exciting. It is an absolute honour for Brian and myself to be asked to take the team”.
Donne insists MGB “will take the competition seriously and set our sights high and go for gold”. He went on to say: “At the same time we will remind the squad how lucky we are to be able to still play at our age. It is therefore imperative that we maintain perspective, have a great time and enjoy the experience one more time. Our preparation will take into consideration the hot weather. We shall lose a few pounds and be as fit as we can be ready to play Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, USA and possibly Chile.
“We are also encouraging family members to come with in order that they too can share the Maccabi experience.”