Maccabi GB have announce the Management Team for next summer’s JCC Maccabi Games in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
The JCC Games are a chance for young athletes, aged 13-16, 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 number of former JCC Maccabi Games and Maccabiah managers. These include Girls U16 Football managers, Matt Travers and Debra Silver, the former who is now overseeing his sixth 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 Orange County; and Table Tennis manager, Ben Travers, who will be managing at his third JCC Games.
There is also Swimming manager, Dani Popeck, who will be repeating the role she had in Orange County; and Boys U14 Football managers, Alex Elf and Liam Stein, both have previously supervised JCC Games Football and Track-&-Field squads respectively.
However, there are also a number of managers who will be taking their first ever international squads. Tennis manager Jamie Gibbor is an international-level Tennis player with history as a Team GB competitor, having previously represented Great Britain at a Maccabiah Games, European Maccabi Games and two JCC Games.
The Track-&-Field squad will be managed by Philip Benson, a University track and field athlete who has competed at three JCC Maccabi Games himself. Finally, Clare Dorset-Purkis will be the Team GB Dance Manager, having a wealth of dance experience behind her – Clare has danced with the Engluish Youth Ballet, competed at the All-England Dance Finals, performed in London’s Drury Lane Theatre and has coaching qualifications in ballet, tap and modern, amongst others. Welfare Manager, Daniel Broman, will also be attending his maiden JCC Maccabi Games tournament, having previously been a Medic at the 19th Maccabiah Games in Israel.
The Management Team will be looking to improve upon the record medal haul of 108 at last summer’s games in Orange County, California. The Greens are overseeing the trial process with their team, which are currently underway, and final squads will be announced in the coming weeks.
Full Maccabi GB Management Team list:
Delegation Heads - Brian & Helena Green
Boys U14 Football - Alex Elf & Liam Stein
Girls U16 Football - Matt Travers & Debra Silver
Girls U16 Lacrosse - Nicole Sawdaye & Emma Gibbor
Swimming - Dani Popeck
Table Tennis - Ben Travers
Tennis - Jamie Gibbor
Track & Field - Phillip Benson
Dance - Clare Dorset-Purkis
Welfare - Daniel Broman
Speaking about the selection, Brian Green said: "We are absolutely delighted with the strength of our Management Team as next year in Cherry Hill we will be looking to take one of our largest delegations to a single JCC Games.
"It is particularly pleasing to have three young people who will get their first experience of the JCC Maccabi Games as managers and we hope this will encourage others to apply in the future.
"The balance of the Management Team has a wealth of experience and can boast over 25 JCC Maccabi Games between them 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 six 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 had 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 third consecutive year and look forward to working with all the participants as we build towards the Games next summer."
With the official squads being announced in the New Year, the JCC Maccabi Games Team GB Squad are still taking applications for Girls Lacrosse and Girls Football. For further details visit www.maccabigb.org/jccgames.
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