JCC Maccabi Campus Games 2025 – Team GB Shines in Pittsburgh

From 3–10 August, Maccabi GB sent a 70-strong delegation - comprising of 56 athletes and 14 management staff - to the JCC Maccabi Campus Games in Pittsburgh. The team competed across a wide range of sports: two U15 boys’ football squads, U15 boys’ basketball, U17 boys’ basketball, tennis, dance, swimming, track and field, and the Star Reporter competition.

It was a record-breaking year for Team GB, bringing home an impressive 44 medals: 27 gold, 11 silver, and 6

bronze.

Among these were two very special Gold Yellow Ribbon medals, awarded in honour of the hostages still being held in Gaza. The Yellow Ribbon recognises not only sporting excellence, but also exceptional sportsmanship and character.

The Team Yellow Ribbon medal went to our U15 Boys’ Blue football team, winners of their tournament. The award was presented to Noah Landau, in recognition of his outstanding contribution and exemplary sportsmanship throughout the competition. Coach Ali Chin praised his players:

“I was so inspired by the players’ dedication and commitment to winning, and to representing Maccabi GB with pride.”

The Individual Yellow Ribbon medal was awarded to Lila Bluston (Track & Field), who displayed extraordinary sportsmanship by giving her own gold medal to another athlete who had been injured and unable to compete.

Alongside the sporting action, the delegation spent a memorable Shabbat weekend at the Emma Kaufmann Camp. Friday night was marked with a moving service, followed by dinner and Shabbat games. On Saturday, the group enjoyed Havdallah and toasted marshmallows around the fire pit. The camp’s facilities were outstanding, with zip lines, a lake with inflatables, three swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, and even pickleball courts - a perfect ending to the trip.

Reflecting on the experience, Sass Elias (U15 Boys’ Blue football) said:

“Last year we only really got to know our own team. This year, being on the university campus meant we were all together as one delegation and got to know so many more people.”

The Games also featured Midot Medals, which recognise athletes who embody the JCC’s six core values: respect, honesty, charity & social justice, community, role modelling, kindness, and fair play. Team GB’s winners were Teddy Stebbing, Jonathan Darmon, Louis Seal, and Rachel Ayrton, alongside Yellow Ribbon recipients Lila Bluston and Noah Landau.

With an incredible medal haul, acts of true sportsmanship, and friendships forged, Pittsburgh 2025 will be remembered as one of Team GB’s most successful and meaningful JCC Maccabi Games to date.

The JCC Maccabi Games 2026 will be held in Toronto from 2–9 August. For more information, contact talia@maccabigb.org