By, Danny Caro
1 min read
ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Jon Feld is relishing taking the London Pumas women’s team on a groundbreaking tour to Israel.
Team manager and coach Feld will lead the squad on the trip, which marks the start of a new legacy by Project Israel, an organisation formed to bring sports and cultural tours from the UK to Israel.
Lining up for the Pumas, an invitational team, will be two Jewish players, 17-year-old Charlotte Feld-Davidovici and Alexis Bloom, a former Israel captain.
The Pumas start their programme with a 7’s match against Galil in Haifa during a week-long visit that begins on May 23. This will be followed by a 15-a-side contest against an Israel Development XV.
The trip will conclude with another 7’s match, this time against the Israel national team, who are completing preparations for the European 7’s Championships in Croatia in June.
Matches for the second part of the tour, which is being held under the auspices of the Israel Rugby Union, will take place in the Sporteq at Park Hayarkon in Tel Aviv.
Feld said: "The objective is to change perspectives and opinions on Israel through sport and culture."
Pumas’ scrum-half Alexis Bloom relocated to Israel in 2005 before returning to England last year following the birth of her first child.
She said: "I'm excited about the opportunity that lies ahead as it enables the Israel team to hone their skills ahead of the Euros.
"I've gained so much from playing rugby, including strength, speed and agility. It helps clear my mind and makes me feel better.
"It would be great to see women’s 7’s at the Maccabiah Games one day."