Maccabi GB and the Jewish Sports Awards Committee has presented the 2025 Jewish Sports Awards

London, 17 December 2025 - Maccabi GB and the Jewish Sports Awards Committee has presented the 2025 Jewish Sports Awards to Natalie Kenton, Joe Jacobson and Dal Darroch in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the world of Jewish Sport.

Natalie Kenton and Joe Jacobson

Natalie and Joe, were presented their awards on the steps of 10 Downing Street by Lord John Mann, following their attendance at the Prime Minister’s Chanukkah commemoration on Tuesday 16^th December.  Natalie Kenton is recognised for her transformative leadership in Jewish netball, building participation, performance pathways and opportunities for girls and young women across the community. Joe Jacobson is recognised for his distinguished professional football career and his continued leadership in the game as a prominent Jewish role model and Co-CEO of Reading FC. 

Dal Darroch

Dal Darroch, the FA’s Head of Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Programmes was presented his award at the FA’s Chanukah celebration on Monday 15^th December, by Lord Mann and Ashley Lerner CEO of Maccabi GB, in recognition of his leadership and work supporting the Jewish community and interfaith activities.

Ashley Lerner, CEO of Maccabi GB, said:  “The Maccabi movement has a long tradition of recognising outstanding Jewish athletes and those whose contribution has had a lasting impact on Jewish sport. Joe has competed at the very highest level of the professional game and has been open, honest and visible in speaking about his identity as a leading Jewish footballer. Natalie has truly transformed girls’ and women’s netball within the community and beyond, creating pathways and opportunities that have shaped the journeys of thousands of young players through her club and her work with Maccabi GB. Dal is a genuine leader in inclusion. For him, allyship and compassion go far beyond a job title, and he has been a true partner in tackling antisemitism in football while championing the power of the game to strengthen community cohesion.”

This year’s awards committee is comprised of Trustees of Maccabi GB, representatives from Jewish media and entertainment and the Government’s Independent Adviser on Antisemitism.

The Jewish Sports Awards will become an annual award given to distinguished recipients.

Biographies:

Natalie Kenton has had a transformative impact on Jewish sport, particularly in the growth and visibility of netball for girls and young women. A Trustee of Maccabi GB, a member of the Organising Committee and Netball Chair for the International Maccabi Games, she has played a central role in reshaping the netball pathway within the community, combining grassroots participation with credible performance opportunities at the highest levels.

Natalie is the founder and driving force behind ‘Nat’s Netball Club’, an England Netball affiliated club that has grown from just 36 members at its launch in 2012 to engaging 800 Jewish and not Jewish girls on a weekly basis. Today, the club provides training and competitive opportunities for girls aged 6 to 18, with dozens of teams competing across local and regional leagues, as well as delivering in-school programmes that introduce netball to younger children in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.

Under Natalie’s leadership, many players have progressed into county academies and elite pathways with London Mavericks and London Pulse, while others continue to enjoy the social and confidence building benefits of the sport.

Through her vision and determination, Natalie has re-established netball at the heart of the Jewish community, creating space for girls to thrive and ensuring that female sport is visible, valued and accessible. Her leadership has taken Team Maccabi GB netball from a single international squad to four age group teams, reflecting a clear commitment to opportunity, development and long-term sustainability.

Beyond competition, Natalie has worked tirelessly to build meaningful connections with Israel Netball, organising exchanges and maintaining strong sporting links even during the most challenging periods. Her work demonstrates a belief in sport as a powerful tool for connection, resilience and pride, and her impact continues to be felt across participation, performance and leadership within the game.

Joe Jacobson enjoyed a distinguished professional football career spanning nearly two decades, most notably with Wycombe Wanderers, where he became club captain, a central figure in the dressing room, and a genuine fan favourite. A consistent and reliable left back, he was renowned for his leadership, professionalism, and set piece delivery, playing a key role in some of the most successful periods in the club’s modern history, including scoring the winning penalty at Wembley in the 2020 League One play-off final to seal promotion to the Championship.

As one of the most prominent Jewish players in the modern English game, Joe has long been a visible role model, using his platform to speak openly about identity, belonging, and the importance of creating inclusive environments within football. His experiences as a player have given him a clear understanding of both the opportunities and the challenges that exist within the sport.

Following his retirement from playing, Joe has moved into football leadership. He is now Co-CEO of Reading FC, where he is focused on long term sustainability and strong governance.

His journey from player to executive gives him a distinctive and credible perspective on leadership, culture, and responsibility within the game.

Dal Darroch has played a leading role in advancing equality, diversity and inclusion within English football, with a particular focus on tackling discrimination and strengthening relationships between the game and diverse communities. As the FA’s Head of Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Programmes, he leads national initiatives addressing racism, antisemitism and hate, working closely with clubs, leagues, governing bodies and community partners.

Dal has been a consistent and trusted ally to the Jewish community, supporting Maccabi GB and wider Jewish organisations through meaningful collaboration, visible leadership and sustained engagement. A key part of his work has been the FA’s award winning Faith and Football series, which brings faith communities into the heart of the game through national events and celebrations at Wembley and across the country, recognising religious identity as an integral part of participation in football.

Through his strategic approach and personal commitment, Dal has helped embed inclusion as a core responsibility of football’s leadership. His work reflects a belief in sport as a powerful platform for understanding, respect and positive social change, and continues to shape how the game supports faith communities and responds to discrimination across British society.