Maccabiah marvels
MACCABIAH MURRAY Ayrton has described Team Maccabi GB’s swimming squad as “exceptionally strong” as they complete their preparations for next month’s Maccabiah Games.
MGB will send their largest swimming squad ever to compete in the sport in Israel, featuring members from Camden Swiss, Broomfield Park, LB Redbridge and Staines swimming clubs.
Swimming chairman Ayrton said: “All our participants have competed at either regional or national level. In Ellie Grant and Ewan Taylor — the current Scottish National 50 metres freestyle age-group champion — we have genuine medal potential.”
Maccabiah newcomer Josh Foreman explained: “I can’t wait for this once-ina-lifetime experience to do something I love in a country I love.”
Alicia Slater said: “My grandfather managed the MGB golf team in 1997, so to follow in his footsteps representing GB in swimming will be both an honour and hugely emotional.”
Team manager Naomi Ayrton says it is “a huge honour for me to return to the pool where I won a bronze medal four years ago at the 2013 Games”.
She will be assisted by Samantha Russo who admits her “Maccabiah dream was born after returning from an incredible European Maccabi Games in 2015.
“As a coach, all you want and can hope for in a squad is that their competitive drive is laced with sportsmanship of honour for their country and their culture.
“I know they will do themselves and their integrity proud, and hopefully smash a few PBs.”
SQUAD: Jacob Boyden, Joshua Foreman, Ellie Grant, Nathalie Lustig, Jason Pears, Zack Rothman, Rebecca Saville, Alicia Slater, Ewan Taylor. Chair: Murray Ayrton, Manager: Naomi Ayrton, Coach: Samantha Russo
Daniel Reuben and Andrew Myers are driven by success — and they are hoping to emulate the achievements of the Team Maccabi GB Football over-45s squad who won gold in 2009.
Peter Lazard, who attended the MGB kit day on Sunday along with members of several other competing squads, is the only survivor of that squad and he will be a key figure again in Israel.
Coached by ex-professionals Steve Grenfell and Tibor Kukan, there is an added incentive for several squad members for whom Israel will be something of a family affair. Reuben said: “We have a great bunch of boys with immense ability and are confident every player can and will play a major part of our success.
“We look forward to having a great time both on and off the pitch — it will be a full and immersive Maccabiah experience for our guys, especially with some of them having their kids taking part in junior teams.”
A former captain of Wingate & Finchley, Andrew Myers remarked: “We were determined to reach as many potential players as possible and leave no stone unturned in the selection process.
“We believe we have selected a balanced squad, comprising of players that have never been to a Maccabiah alongside players that have been there and got the t-shirt.
“Indeed one player still has kit from when he first appeared in the 1960s.” SQUAD:
Michael Abraham, Gideon Barnett, Laurence Beck, Paul Buxton, Richard Buxton, Daniel Gordon, Peter Lazard, Bradley Lazarus, Bradley Lee, Kevin Lotzof, Max Radford, Jonathan Rayner, Danny Schweiger, James Temple, Mark Wagman. Joint-managers: Andrew Myers and Daniel Reuben,
Coach: Steve Grenfell