From Grassroots to Glory: Maccabi GB Champions Jewish Sport Nationwide

As we move further into the year, the Maccabi GB Sports Department continues to expand its reach and impact across the Jewish community. From grassroots initiatives to major school tournaments and university sport, we are proud to deliver inclusive, engaging, and high-quality sporting opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

Community Sport

Our community sports offering continues to flourish, with more opportunities than ever for members of the community to get involved in regular physical activity in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Walking Football, Table Tennis, and Basketball remain extremely popular, offering weekly sessions that prioritise both physical and mental wellbeing through movement and connection.

We are particularly excited about the development of a dementia-friendly Walking Football group, a collaborative initiative in partnership with Jewish Care. This programme is currently in development and will offer a safe, supportive space for individuals living with dementia to engage in light physical activity, socialise, and benefit from the routine and enjoyment of sport. We look forward to launching this important initiative in the coming months.

Another highlight this month is the launch of a brand-new website for Maccabi Basketball, providing players, coaches, and supporters with a central platform for fixtures, results, league tables, and club news. The new site strengthens communication and community engagement while elevating the presence of Jewish basketball across the UK.

We’re also delighted to share that the Lawn Bowls season is about to restart. This much-loved activity is accessible to all ages and abilities, and we’re excited to welcome back familiar faces and newcomers alike for a fun and sociable sporting season.

Additionally, we are proud to be driving forward the development of women’s football, with an emphasis on both social and competitive participation. Our aim is to provide accessible, welcoming environments for women and girls to engage with the sport—whether they’re playing for fun, fitness, or competition. Interest is growing, and we’re excited about the journey ahead.

Schools

Maccabi GB continues to make a meaningful impact in Jewish primary schools, delivering PE lessons to over 750 pupils every week across four schools. Our team of passionate and professional coaches are committed to providing high-quality physical education that is both fun and developmentally enriching.

In addition to our in-school sessions, we’ve launched after-school clubs at Torah Temimah Primary School and Independent Jewish Day School (IJDS). These clubs offer further opportunities for pupils to build skills, stay active, and enjoy structured sport in a friendly, inclusive setting.

We are also proud to be working with Gesher School, where we have delivered 20 tennis lessons tailored to pupils with special educational needs. This programme, made possible through a grant from the Nathan Maskell Trust, underscores our commitment to accessibility and ensuring that every child can experience the joy and benefits of sport.

This month, we hosted two exciting football tournaments:

The Year 3 & 4 Mixed Football Tournament brought together 28 teams from 14 schools, with 220 players and 125 spectators enjoying a fantastic day of football. After a series of competitive matches, IJDS Blue were crowned champions, narrowly defeating Naima Blue 1–0 in a thrilling final.

On Wednesday 21st May, we proudly hosted our largest football tournament ever – the Year 5 & 6 Boys Football Tournament. This record-breaking event featured 48 teams from 20 schools, with an incredible 450 players and 200 spectators in attendance. After a full day of competition and camaraderie, Wolfson Hillel Blue came out on top, beating MMK Red 3–1 in a high-energy final.

These tournaments highlight the talent, enthusiasm, and spirit of young Jewish athletes, as well as the power of sport to bring schools and communities together in a fun and meaningful way.

Students

At the university level, Maccabi GB proudly supported the UJS Inter-JSoc Cup Final as official sponsors, continuing our commitment to Jewish student sport. The event brought together students from across the UK, offering a fantastic platform for competitive football, campus pride, and community building.

The final was a closely contested and exciting affair, with Maccabi Selly Oak—representing Birmingham’s Jewish student community—claiming victory over Bristol JSoc’s PSJ in a thrilling match. Selly Oak took home the cup after a 1–0 win, capping off a brilliant tournament filled with energy, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

We remain committed to supporting student sport at all levels, providing platforms for young Jewish adults to stay active, build friendships, and represent their communities through the power of sport.

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See below links to The Jewish Chronicle sport back pages for May:

2nd May - Click Here

9th May - Click Here

16th May - Click Here

23rd May - Click Here

30th May - Click Here