Brit pack ready to dazzle at 20th Maccabiah Games
MACCABIAH TEAM Maccabi GB’s Junior Netball squad will look for inspiration in the shape of Yvonne Roden MBE when they compete at the Maccabiah Games next month.
One of two MGB netball squads competing in Israel, the Juniors will be led by the experienced team of Beverley Jones, Natalie Sawdaye and Roden.
Head coach Roden is a development coach at England Netball. She said: “It has been amazing to see the team continually develop through their training sessions and their dedication and care for each other on the court is admirable. It is a true credit to them as individuals.
“They play with great pride, passion and determination and have a nevergive-up attitude.”
Asked for her medal targets, she replied: “The gold medal is certainly within their reach.”
Netball chairperson Jones insists the appetite for netball is bigger than ever. “Trials were held last year and we saw the largest number of applicants that the sport has ever had,” she said.
“With nearly 55 applications and 34 at trials, the girls we selected are each highly skilled, rising not only to the challenge as individuals but as a united and strong team.”
Jones, who also leads the GB Open Netball squad, will be joined by coach Vanessa McErlain-Naylor.
Jones said: “Final trials were held in January where a squad of nine players were selected. They’ve only had six months to prepare for the Games but I am confident we will be able to compete for the medals.”
Team MGB Table Tennis chairman Leonard Siskind has helped assemble a strong group of nationally ranked players to compete in the Junior, Open and Masters categories.
Siskind said: “There are two outstanding players from Manchester in Zak Cantor and Daniel Olsberg. Both forced their way into the team due to their performances at the MGB National Table Tennis tournament last year and from the trials based in Manchester.
“Not only are they both nationally ranked juniors, they both play in the Premier League in Manchester in the team run by Stuart Landes for Manchester Maccabi.”
Others to watch out for in Israel are London-based Sammy Kaye and Carl Breindel who play in the top divisions of the local leagues and have achieved impressive results this season.
Junior manager Robin Ashleigh commented: “They reached the final of the London trials and have been truly outstanding in recent matches.”
Jessica Abrahams, who won the London trials, and the talented Ariana Di Giammarino complete the squad.
“Our Juniors are destined for great things in the future and will benefit greatly from the experience of playing in such a prestigious tournament.”
Siskind expressed “excitement” about the prospects of the Open team. “Eli Baraty is a former nationally ranked player,” he commented. “I have known Rafi Marom since he was a young boy and have seen him develop into a tremendous talent, and a fine coach who will be a credit to the team.”
MGB Table Tennis chairman Jeremy Banks and Martin Schapira will compete in the Masters’ tournament.
Seven golfers will make their Maccabiah debuts for Team MGB, with Samantha Diamond managing the Junior and Masters squads.
She said: “All of the golfers have represented their home clubs and they now have a chance to further develop their talents on this international stage.” Ben Brownson will manage the Junior team. He said: “Our aims are to continue to build on the success of our performances at the European Maccabi Games in Berlin.
“We have a real chance of returning home with a team medal as a minimum.
“There is no pressure on the team to perform — we know they are good golfers and will make a team of which we can all be proud.”