Andrew Myers and Daniel Reuben have been appointed joint-managers of Team GB’s Masters 45+ Men’s Football at the 20th Maccabiah Games in 2017.
Myers began his early footballing career with Brady Maccabi before going onto captain Wingate & Finchley FC, where he played for 15 years. Following his time at the Harry Abrahams Stadium he moved onto pastures new, joining London Maccabi Lions where he is now part of an increasingly-successful 35+ team in the Garston Vets League.
Next summer’s 20th Maccabiah will be his sixth outing at the tournament – his first being in 1993. He has also competed at two European Maccabi Games and the Pan American Maccabi Games in 2007.
Describing himself as "excited and honoured" about the appointment, Myers said: "The Maccabi Movement, including the Maccabiahs, have in many ways shaped our lives and this is our chance to give something back and hopefully enable our squad to have the same incredible experiences that we have enjoyed over the years.
"From 7-year-old at Brady Maccabi, both Danny and I have lived and breathed the Maccabi ethos and, it can be said, it has defined us as people and footballers.
"It has always been about the ability to compete to your full potential on the pitch against the best Jewish players and then step off the pitch and build lifelong friendships and bonds.
"One usher at my wedding in 2000 was a Dutch opponent I played against (and occasionally kicked) in the 1993 Maccabiah! That to me sums up the Maccabiah experience."
Reuben's involvement in Jewish football started at Kinnor youth club before joining Myers at Brady Maccabi. A seven-year spell at Wingate & Finchley was followed by a brief stay at Wealdstone FC. However, it is London Maccabi Lions (formally MAL) where he has spent the last 23 years.
He is currently the player-manager of the 35+ Squad in the Garston Vets League with Maccabi GB’s 35+ Men’s Football manager Dan Jacobs. Reuben also possess vast experience of representing Maccabi GB at numerous International Maccabi Tournaments around the world.
Reuben spoke about his aims for Israel. He said: "Our experiences at the Games have always been that you have to build a squad that is significantly stronger collectively than the sum of its individual parts.
"You aim to achieve success on the pitch but success does not have to mean win. It means to aim to achieve, to have goals and do everything you can to achieve those goals.
"However, those goals should never be solely about winning but, first and foremost, about enjoying everything the Maccabiah has to offer. Play hard, flay flair, play to win but play within the spirit of the Maccabiah and embrace everything that the tournament has to offer off the pitch.
"Andy and I would swap every medal we have won to stand and listen to the Hatikvah at the Opening Ceremony. That is the true Maccabiah experience – athletes from all around the world coming together in one place under one roof united in religion and culture and spirit."