Maccabi GB are proud to announce the management team representing Great Britain at next summer’s JCC Maccabi Games in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The JCC Maccabi Games will take place from the 3rd -13th August 2023 and provide an opportunity for young athletes between the ages of 13-16 to represent Great Britain in the United States of America. The experience of bonding with other young Jewish people from all over the world makes the Games a welcoming atmosphere for the athletes and it will be a chance to announce themselves to the Jewish sporting world and make lasting friendships.
Leading the squad for the fifth time are Janice and Ian Aarons, Heads of Delegation, alongside General Team Manager Jordan Sapler.
The management team comprises of a good mixture of experienced managers as well as new faces looking to make their managerial debuts in Fort Lauderdale.
Ruby Kalms was part of Team Maccabi GB’s 2015 JCC Maccabi Games delegation as an athlete. Seven years later she is returning as the manager of the U16 Girls Football team, “I’m so pleased to have been chosen as Manager of the U16 Girls Football Squad,” said Ruby. “We’ve got some great talents this year and I’m so excited to work with the squad and management team to give back all that Maccabi GB has given to me.” Alongside Ruby will be General Team Manager Jordan Sapler who will be coaching the side.
We will be taking an U14 Girls team to the JCC Maccabi Games for the first time ever, as girls football continues to rise in popularity, their manager Tash Kingsley is excited to be managing the squad “It’s so amazing to see young Jewish girls come together to play football. Their tenacity, fun and passion for sport and sportsmanship never ceases to impress me.”
Tash Kingsley competing at the 20th Maccabiah Games
The U16 Boys Football team will be overseen by a duo who both play a role at Maccabi GB Southern Football League side Brady, with Brandon Myers managing the team and coached by Ricky Ansher. Fort Lauderdale will be Ricky’s first experience of an International Games, “I'm really looking forward to the games next summer,” stated Ricky, “I am excited to work with Brandon and the rest of team and can't wait to get started.” Brandon Myers is no stranger to International Games, with the JCC Maccabi Games being his third time representing Team Maccabi GB. He made his International Games debut in 2019 at the European Maccabi Games in Budapest, winning gold as part of the U18 Futsal Team and most recently was part of the Junior Management team at the 21st Maccabiah Games earlier this year, “I can’t wait to have the experience of managing a squad,” said Brandon. “The feeling of representing GB at an International Games is one of the best experiences and I can’t wait for this next journey. I am looking forward to getting a strong squad, forming a real team spirit amongst the boys, and hopefully coming back with a gold medal.”
Brandon Myers during a U18 Futsal gold medal winning match against South Africa in Budapest in 2019
Adam Nathan is no stranger to the Maccabi GB family, a long time Leadership by Streetwise participant recently joined Maccabi GB as a full time Streetwise Coordinator. Adam will take part in his first International Games as manager of the U14 Football side, “Having been involved with Maccabi GB for a large part of my life, and now working at Streetwise, I’m delighted to be a part of the international Jewish community representing Maccabi GB at next year’s JCC games,” said Adam on his appointment. Coaching the team will be another International Games debutant, Sam Adams “I’m very excited to go to Fort Lauderdale and represent Great Britain at the JCC Games,” said Sam. “I’m really looking forward to bonding with the squad and coaches and hopefully can bring back some gold medals with us.”
Benjamin Sweiry will be overseeing Team Maccabi GB’s tennis squad, seven years after competing as an athlete “Having competed in the JCC games for tennis when they were last in Fort Lauderdale, this feels like a real full-circle moment for me! I can’t wait to return there with my team of competitors, ensure everyone has a fantastic JCC experience and hopefully bring back some medals for GB!” Alongside Benjamin will be Lucy Grant in an assistant manager role, she said “I am super excited to go to JCC this summer and to support team Maccabi GB!” Lucy will be taking part in her first International Games.
Benjamin Sweiry competing at the JCC Maccabi Games in 2015
Team Maccabi GB’s Dance Team will be managed by Leadership by Streetwise Tzevet member Renee Yantin, who will be going to her first international games, “I am so excited to work with the dancers to produce some amazing routines and showcase their talent in what will be such an exciting ten days,” said Renee.
Leadership by Streetwise Manager and Maccabi GB Sports Coordinator Alex Pereira will be overseeing the Table Tennis team, “I feel very proud to be the table tennis manager for the upcoming JCC games,” said Alex. “Working at Maccabi GB over the last year has been an incredible experience which has given me so many opportunities and this is just another amazing opportunity that I am extremely looking forward to.”
Adam Warner is another manager returning to the Games after previously competing as an athlete, “Next Year it would be 20 years since I competed in the JCC Maccabi Games,” said Adam. “Now is the time to give back to Maccabi GB.”
Janice added “Ian and I, are very excited to go back to Fort Lauderdale which was our first JCC Maccabi Games. We are delighted to have an exciting young management team to lead our athletes on this wonderful journey and enable them to have the most incredible experience.”
“It is another year where our delegation can compete internationally but more than that, they can socialise with other Jewish athletes from around the world, make lifelong friendships and feel proud to be Jewish, representing their country”.
Heads of Delegation Ian and Janice Aarons at the 2018 JCC Maccabi Games in Miami
Speaking about the selection, General Team Manager Jordan Sapler said: I’m delighted to be General Team Manager for the upcoming games. We’ve recruited a management team that will allow for the athletes to have an incredible experience in the lead up to the games and the experiences on and off the pitch. The JCC games provide a brilliant introduction to international competition, providing the young athletes a chance to compete against Jewish athletes from across the United States and other countries”
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