Gabriel John has been appointed manager of the Team Maccabi GB Open Women’s Football for next summer's European Maccabi Games in Berlin.
The appointment follows increased efforts by Maccabi GB to increase the involvement of Women and Girls Football within the Community. He will be assisted by Dan Rook as his number two.
John is well-versed in football management having overseen four sides in the Maccabi GB Southern Football League (MGBSFL) over a career spanning nearly 20 seasons. He also has experience managing women’s sides, including a competitive five-a-side team. His footballing career has seen him play for a number of semi-professional sides as a young man, before turning out for Jewish teams on a Sunday morning.
"I'm hugely honoured to be leading the team and I hope that, with Dan Rook at my side, we can make a huge success of at next year’s Games.
"There are some talented female footballers out there and, thanks to the likes of Kate Freeman and Claire Lewis who have helped in boosting the awareness of Women’s Football within the Community, I know we can take a competitive and talented side capable of coming home with a medal.
"To be asked to represent British Jewry on the whole is a fantastic honour, and I know our side will do Maccabi GB and the whole of Great Britain’s Jewish Community proud.
"I cannot underline enough the importance of what a Women’s Football team means to this competition. To have female, Jewish footballers competing alongside each other in Germany is a truly historic event and one any player should and will be proud to be a part of."
Before the appointment of the Management Team, Maccabi GB hosted a number of open training sessions for players who fall into Open Women’s and Junior Girls categories to attend. The next one – which will act as the first chance for players to demonstrate their abilities to John will be on April 24 and will run alongside the Open Men’s Football Team Southern trial, taking place at Maccabi London Brady Sports Ground, Rowley Lane from 6:30pm-8:30pm.
