Maccabi GB has named its Track & Field squads for this summer’s 19th Maccabiah Games in Israel.
The Open and Junior Squads are made up of 10 athletes, competing in events ranging from Javelin and High Jump to 100m sprint and the 3,000m race.
Spearheading Team GB’s Juniors will be former Woodford Green Athletics Club runner, Joel Goodman, who is registered to compete. He will be assisted by Men’s Open sprinter, Nick Davis, who is also competing at the Maccabiah. Robin Fish will be the Squad’s Coordinator.
The delegation includes some of the best Jewish Track & Field athletes in the country, with the Junior athletes already showing class and promise.
Long sprint/middle distance runner, Aaron Spalter is part of the Watford Harriers Athletics Club who previously won the boys U15 Hertfordshire Championship.
James Bongart is a double-County and School Javelin Champion, and was ranked no. 1 in Essex, second in London and 27th in the country in 2012.
Making his debut at a Maccabiah Games is Sam Shindler-Glass, a top 20 English Schools Cross-Country runner and 2012 Middlesex Schools Cross-Country Champion.
Another sprinter, Adam Muscat is a two-time district Champion and fourth-fastest U15 100m runner in the country.
Ellie Edwards is GB's only female competitor in track and field, abnd she will also make her debut appearance at the 19th Maccabiah Games. A member of Trafford Athletics Club in Manchester, she is currently the ninth fastest 200m runner in England for her age group, having previously been a Greater Manchester County Champion in the 100m and a Manchester Primary School’s cross country champion.
Speaking about his hopes for the squad, GB Junior Track & Field manager Joel Goodman said: "I am very much looking forward to seeing all of the athletes perform to their full potential and I hope that many of them will be able to bring a medal home.
"Athletics is a solitary sport whilst training, and the athletes represent different clubs, so it will be exciting for them all to come together as young Jewish representatives to form a team with the same goal when they travel to Israel.
"I hope that all of the athletes will become stronger competitors as a result of taking part in the Maccabiah Games 2013."
Speaking about his role, he added, "I cannot wait to be a part of the biggest Jewish sporting event in the world. I am looking forward to helping the squad perform at the highest possible level that they are capable of and ensuring that their experience during the Maccabiah Games is an amazing one.
"I am also excited for all of the educational trips the athletes will experience, as well as their opportunity to meet other Jewish people their age from around the world.
"This will be my first trip to Israel so I have even more reason to be excited for the Maccabiah Games 2013. Bring on July."
MACCABI GB TRACK & FIELD SQUAD FOR 19TH MACCABIAH GAMES
COMMITTEE
Joel Goodman - Maccabi Team GB Junior Track and Field Manager
Nick Davis - Maccabi Team GB Junior Track and Field Assistant-Manager
Robin Fish – UK Track and Field Coordinator
JUNIOR SQUAD
James Bongart
(Boys 100m; Boys Long Jump; Boys Javelin; Open Men’s Javelin; Boys 4x100m Relay; Boys 4x400m Relay)
Adam Muscat
(Boys 100m; Boys 200m; Boys Long Jump; Boys 4x100m Relay; Boys 4x400m Relay; Open Men’s 4x100m Relay)
Jack Reece
(Boys 100m; Boys 200m; Boys Shot Put; Boys 4x100m Relay; Boys 4x400m Relay; Open Men’s 4x100m Relay)
Aaron Spalter
(Boys 400m; Boys 800m; Boys Long Jump; Boys 4x100m Relay; Boys 4x400m Relay; Open Men’s 4x400m Relay)
Daniel Gubbay
(Boys 400m; Boys 800m; Boys High Jump; Boys Long Jump; Boys 4x100m Relay; Boys 4x400m Relay; Open Men’s 4x400m Relay)
Sam Schindler-Glass
(Boys 800m; Boys 1500m; Boys 3000m Boys 800m; Boys 4x100m Relay; Boys 4x400m Relay)
Ellie Edwards
(Girls 100m; Girls 200m; Girls 400m; Girls Long Jump)
OPEN SQUAD
Nick Davis
(Open Men’s 200m; Open Men’s 400m; Open Men’s 4x100m Relay; Open Men’s 4x400m Relay)
Oliver Ziff
(Open Men’s 5000m; Open Men’s 4x100m Relay; Open Men’s 4x400m Relay)
