MGB will take 35 players to Israel to compete in the Junior, Open and Masters categories at the event which gets under way next week.

The tennis squad will be led by Junior Manager Sophie Conway and Joseph who admits the group “cannot wait to get out to Israel to and take in the whole experience of participating in one of the largest sporting events in the world”.

He said: “Having taken part in a Maccabiah, there is nothing to compare walking into a stadium with 10,000 other Jewish athletes from all corners of the world.

“It’s something that will stay with them for the rest of the their lives.”

Joseph believes the senior members will help newcomers to the squad.

“We won seven medals in Berlin at the last European Maccabi Games, including one gold in the over 65 men’s doubles. I am confident we will be able to put up a good fight against stiff opposition.”

“We are aware that we will face tough opposition, especially from the teams representing Israel and the USA, but our Masters players are seasoned campaigners which will be really inspiring for the juniors to see.”

Conway described the atmosphere in the Junior squad unique. “We have an extremely enthusiastic junior squad who have been training very hard and will savour the whole atmosphere and experience,” she said.

“We have achieved a fantastic team relationship at the training sessions by playing the juniors against the masters squad which has enhanced the bonding between all age groups.”

“Not will the team have the opportunity of competing at the highest level, I am also excited to see them enjoy the wonderful land of Israel which has so much to offer with thousands of other Jews from all over the world.”

SQUAD:

JUNIORS

Adam Bolchover, Isabelle Brand, Benjamin Felt, Joshua Hennes, Jamie Osrin, Sam Radiven, Jasmine Randall, Joseph Salt, Charlotte Salt, Katy Spalter.

Manager - Sophie Conway

Coach - Marc Peterman

OPEN

Samuel Abrahams, Samantha Cohen, James Phillips

MASTERS

Alex Barnett, David Bloom, Stephen Carlin, Samantha Cohen, Craig Feldman, Diana Gold, Brian Klitzner, David Mattey, Lee Meranda, Simon  Millet, Andrew Moses, Robert Ollman, Alan Rechtman, Sarah Schechter, Barrie Searle, Andrew Shindler, Richard Smith, Simon Spalter, David Spanbok, Emily Stone, Sheldon Sussman

Chair:  Stephen Joseph