Maccabi GB have unveiled the Great Britain Management Team for next summer’s JCC Maccabi Games in Stamford, Connecticut.
The team exhibits a wide range of experienced and some fresh faces, with five members of the set-up in line to make their managerial debuts at the event.
Amongst the new appointments are Joey Carr, Tamir Grant, Chloe Greenberg, Natasha Kalmanson and Jordan Sapler. They will join Alex Elf, Liam Stein, Sophie Conway, Ben Travers, Natalie Sawdaye, Nicole Sawdaye, Clare Dorset-Purkis and Gilah Samuels who have all attended this event before.
Golf Manager, Carr, will be making his third appearance at a JCC Games, but his first as a manager. He has a wealth of international experience, having competed in two previous JCC Maccabi Games in 2005 and 2006 where he brought home several medals.
Nicole Sawdaye is going back to her roots as the Lacrosse manager. Her success with last year’s Girl’s Football Team has put her in good stead for Stamford. Her focus will be on improving on two years ago where Team GB won their first ever Lacrosse game at a JCC.
U16 Girls Football’s newest member is Chloe Greenberg, a keen footballer and a previous JCC player herself. Greenberg will be setting her standards high as she knows the quality that the US and Canada produce. A former Brighton and Hove Albion coach, Chloe will fulfil the same role under manager Alex Elf to hopefully bring home the first ever medal for Great Britain in this category.
Tamir will look to pick a strong U16 Boys Basketball squad to compete against the much-fancied Americans and Canadians. Grant is an experienced Basketball player and coach. He has been involved in Maccabi GB for many years, managing the U18 Boys Basketball team to their first ever victories at an International Jewish Games when he took the side at the 19th Maccabiah Games in 2013.
Joining Stein, Elf, and Nicole Sawdaye as returning JCC Maccabi Games coaches are Natalie Sawdaye (Swimming), Sophie Conway (Tennis) and Clare Dorset-Purkis (Dance) all of whom were influential in helping to bring back 79 medals to the UK last year.
Ian Aarons and Janice Aarons will oversee the squad. Speaking of the appointments, co-head of Delegation Janice Aarons said: "It's a strong group, made up of quality across the board. Together with experience and maturity, from those who have been before, and new additions, who are enthusiastic and excited to experience the JCC Maccabi Games for the first time, they all have one goal and one aim in mind - to make these the best Games filled with a fun and social experiences for all our young athletes.”
Ian Aarons Co-Head of Delegation, Janice Aarons, spoke about Maccabi GB’s JCC Managerial appointments, “We are extremely pleased with the Management Team. It’s a strong group, made up of quality across the board. Together with experience and maturity, from those who have been before, and new additions, who are enthusiastic and excited to experience the JCC Maccabi Games for the first time, they all have one goal and one aim in mind - to make these the best Games filled with a fun and social experiences for all our young athletes.”
Ian Aarons gave his views on why the JCC Maccabi Games are so important, “It [the JCC Games] brings together young, Jewish athletes from around the world and gives them what is probably their first experience of an International Games. We believe it is important for participants to enjoy sporting, social and Jewish experiences and we believe 2016 will be just as memorable as previous years.”
Ian Aarons said: "The JCC Games brings together young, Jewish athletes from around the world and gives them what is probably their first experience of an International Games.
"We believe it is important for participants to enjoy sporting, social and Jewish experiences and we believe 2016 will be just as memorable as previous years."
The JCC Maccabi 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.
The official athlete squads will be announced in the coming weeks.
TEAM GB MANAGERS FOR 2016 JCC GAMES
Delegation Heads: Ian & Janice Aarons
Welfare Manager: Ben Travers
Media & Communications: Gilah Samuels
U14 Boys Football: Liam Stein & Jordan Sapler
U16 Girls Football: Alex Elf & Chloe Greenberg
Tennis: Sophie Conway
Swimming: Natalie Sawdaye
Dance: Clare Dorset-Purkis
Golf: Joey Carr
Basketball: Tamir Grant
Lacrosse: Nicole Sawdaye & Natasha Kalmanson
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