Trio ready for Budapest test

FOOTBALL ARTHUR Duke, Hollie Geey and Gabriel John will oversee Team Maccabi GB’s Open Women’s Football squad at the 2019 European Maccabi Games in Budapest next summer.

Duke, who led the MGB squad in Israel last summer at the 20th Maccabiah Games, will be joined by assistant-manager Geey and coach John.

“Having been involved in Jewish football since the age of 14, I am both honoured and excited with the appointment,” said Duke.

“Together with Hollie and Gabe, we are looking forward to building on last summer’s Maccabiah and can hopefully come home with a medal.”

Geey first represented MGB aged 13 at the JCC Maccabi Games. She featured in the playing squads at both the 2011 EMG in Vienna and the 2017 Maccabiah.

“My experiences as a player at various Games have been life-changing,” she said, “and now to have the opportunity to pass on my knowledge, experience, passion, love of football and international tournaments to others is so exciting”.

John, whose footballing career spans over 20 seasons in the MGBSFL, and also has experience managing women’s sides, including a competitive five-aside team, completes the management team in a coaching capacity. His footballing career has also seen him play for a number of semi-professional sides.

He describes himself as “a huge supporter of women’s football” and he insists the “aim is to get Maccabi GB on the map with a medal.”