Richard Baum and Scott Ansher will spearhead Great Britain’s under-16 Boys Football squad at the 20th Maccabiah Games.
A veteran of three Maccabiahs, Baum, a former Spurs youth team player alongside the likes of Sol Campbell and Nick Barmby, played regularly at Conference level for Sutton United before representing Wingate & Finchley FC and, later, Faithfold.
Baum said: “I am looking to select a squad that has the balance between good technical ability and an appetite to work hard, individually and collectively.
"We will go to Israel with the emphasis on playing a passing game. Ball retention at this level will be vital to the success of the team. I firmly believe there is an abundance of talented, Jewish boys at this age group which will give us a very good chance of winning the gold medal.
"Having played football at a high level I have to say, there are not many events like a Maccabiah Games. The sport is incredible, but you also make friendships there which last you many, many years after you land back in England."
Joining him as assistant-manager is Scott Ansher, who has been involved in Jewish football for over 35 years. He has progressed through Brady Maccabi Football Club from youth to Men’s to Masters, before managing a youth team for the past 12 years from under-7’s.
A Masters Futsal player from the Maccabiah in 2009, Ansher recently helped guide Team GB’s U16 Boys Football Team to gold last summer at the European Maccabi Games.
Ansher commented: "I am delighted and honoured to yet again be asked to be a part of Maccabi GB’s Delegation as Assistant Manager for the Under 16 Boys Football Team.
Ansher said: “I am really looking forward to working with Richard. I believe that we have the combination to succeed in Israel next year.
"The hard work will start from the first trial, and I am sure we will create the right blend of players to build an incredible team spirit which, along with fitness and ability, will enable Richard and I to make this experience a positive and unforgettable one for all our players and their families."
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