Chigwell businessman Jon Jacobs, 43, is football co-ordinator for Redbridge Jewish Care's eight football teams and is also the manager of the under-13s team. He fits this around his work as a director of a clothing manufacturer, supplying high street stores. The teams meet and train at Jewish Care's Redbridge Community Centre where he also acts as the "voice of youth" on the management board
My involvement began in 2001 when my son started showing an interest in football. I wanted him to play sport in a Jewish youth club environment. Sinclair House didn't have any teams but with Ian Burke and Daniel Carmel-Brown, I set about getting local kids involved and helped set up new teams. We now run teams for six to 16-year-olds.
I help to co-ordinate the running of the eight Redbridge Jewish Care teams, sit on the football committees of the leagues we play in, organise the coaching, get sponsors for the teams, write football quizzes to raise money for the teams, organise five-a-side competitions, fitness classes and football tours abroad.
Providing a service for kids in sport in a safe and Jewish environment.
Three years ago I took 20 kids and 25 adults to Amsterdam for Europe's biggest Jewish one-day tournament. Our teams achieved a high standard of play and came second and third. I enjoyed the camaraderie between the RJC teams and young people from the UK and Europe.
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