Maccabi GB, in partnership with UJIA, have announced the Management Team for next summer’s JCC Maccabi Games in Orange County, California.
The JCC Games are a chance for young athletes, under the age of 16, to represent their country in America in a sporting environment, whilst experiencing social and cultural programmes with other young Jewish people.
Heads of Delegation, Brian and Helena Green, have predominantly appointed coaches with a range of international experience, having selected a combination of former JCC Maccabi Games and Maccabiah managers and athletes. These include Girls U16 Football Managers, Matt Travers and Debra Silver, the former who is now overseeing his fifth JCC Football Squad with the latter involved in every major Games in the last four years; Girls U16 Lacrosse Managers, Nicole Sawdaye and Emma Gibbor, both who took charge at the last Games in Rockland; Tennis manager, Allan Bailey, who will be managing at his third JCC Games; and Dance Manager, Lori Greenglass, who has previously supervised JCC Games Swimming and Dance Squads.
However, there are also a number of managers who will be taking their first ever international squads. The Boys U14 Football Squad will be overseen by previous JCC Maccabi Games athlete and current Maccabi GB Coach, Alex Elf, as well as Jonathan Green, who represented Team GB Open Futsal at the 2011 European Games in Vienna.
Two of the other managers that fall into this category are Swimming’s Daniel Harris and Track and Field’s Liam Stein – both of whom have represented Team GB at previous JCC Maccabi Games.
JCC managerial debutant Samantha Rosehill will take the helm of Table Tennis. Welfare Manager, Jessica Overlander-Kaye, will also be attending her maiden tournament.
The Management Team will be looking to improve upon the record medal haul of 96 at last summer’s games in Rockland, New York. The Greens are overseeing the trial process with their team, which are currently underway, and final squads will be announced in the coming weeks.
Speaking about the selection, Brian Green said: "We are absolutely delighted with the strength of our Management Team as next year in Orange County we will more-than-likely be taking our largest delegation to a single JCC Games.
"It is particularly pleasing to have four young people who will get their first experience of the JCC Maccabi Games as managers although two of them have experienced the Games as competitors.
"The balance of the Management Team has a wealth of experience and can boast over 20 JCC Maccabi Games between team in a managerial capacity. We are going to be well prepared for the competition ahead and even more prepared to enjoy the whole experience on and off the field of play, especially giving the participants a chance to mix with other young Jewish athletes from around the world.”
Co-Manager for U16 Girls Football, Matt Travers, said: "I am so honoured to be involved with the JCC Maccabi Games once again this year. In the five years I have been included in this trip I have seen Team GB grow from a delegation of 27 people to the 2013 delegation which will involve over 80 people.
"The Games are a fantastic opportunity for young Jewish people to engage in sporting and social activities with Jews from right around the world. I am thrilled to be taking a Girls Football squad for a second consecutive year and look forward to working with all the participants as we build towards the Games next summer."
Team GB Managers for 2013 JCC Games
Heads of Delegation: Brian and Helena Green
Boys U14 Football: Alex Elf & Jonathan Green
Girls U16 football: Matt Travers and Debra Silver
Girls U16 Lacrosse: Nicole Sawdaye and Emma Gibbor
Swimming: Daniel Harris
Track & Field: Liam Stein
Tennis: Allan Bailey
Dance: Lori Greenglass
Table Tennis: Samantha Rosehill
Welfare Manager: Jessica Overlander-Kaye
With the official squads being announced in the New Year, the JCC Maccabi Games Team GB Squad are still taking applications for Boys U16 Football, Girls U16 Lacrosse and Dance. For further details visit www.maccabigb.org/jccgames.
