On the Road to Israel and the USA: Team Maccabi GB & JCC Athletes Gear Up for a Summer of Sport

Maccabiah Games 2025

With just eight weeks to go until the Maccabiah Games, momentum is building across every area of Team Maccabi GB’s preparations. We are now on course to take a final delegation of approximately 380 individuals to Israel, including athletes, management, and medical staff – ranging in age from 13 to 90!

May has been a particularly dynamic and exciting month. A major milestone was reached with the official live sports draw, hosted in Israel on 4th May. This marked an important step forward for all our team sports, as they now know their group stage opponents. We anticipate that full fixtures will be released by the end of the month. Meanwhile, we’ve received confirmation of our final accommodation allocations, and the office team is working at pace to submit rooming arrangements in preparation for the team’s departure.

Training and fixtures have been in full swing across the board. The 45+ Football team came together for an intensive weekend camp at Lilleshall, concluding with their first friendly against the Welsh FA Over-45s. Despite a narrow 2–1 defeat, the team showed great promise, particularly given the calibre of the opposition – including five former full internationals. Our U16 Boys’ Football squad continued their impressive form with a 3–1 win over Cambridge United’s U14 Academy, and followed up with a strong performance against Crystal Palace FC. The U16 Futsal team also got their first friendly under their belts with a closely contested 6–4 loss, demonstrating encouraging potential.

Elsewhere, the Netball squads enjoyed a competitive weekend of matches against the Israeli team, strengthening our international sporting bonds. Our U18 Boys’ Football team held an excellent training session at the University of Hertfordshire, with a strong focus on skills and tactical development. Junior Tennis took advantage of the good weather with a productive outdoor session, full of positive energy and team spirit. Meanwhile, the 45+ Futsal squad continue their weekly fitness sessions, showing great commitment in the final stretch.

The spirit across the delegation is truly inspiring, and with every passing week, the excitement for the Games continues to grow.

JCC Maccabi Campus Games 2025

It’s been another fantastic month for our JCC delegation, filled with energy, determination, and impressive progress across all sports.

The U15 Blue Football team kicked off their campaign with their very first friendly match—and what a performance it was. They secured an impressive win, setting a confident tone for what promises to be an exciting and competitive season ahead. Both the Red and Blue teams are preparing for upcoming friendlies in the next month, with plenty more action on the horizon.

Our swimmer continues to make a splash at regional competitions, delivering strong performances and representing the delegation with pride and determination. Their consistent effort is a testament to the high standard being set across the board.

Track and Field athletes kept their spirits high with a well-earned social event following a tough training session in warm weather. Joined by the swimmer, the team enjoyed a relaxing afternoon together, rounding off the week with well-deserved ice cream and team bonding.

Meanwhile, both basketball squads have been training hard each week, demonstrating dedication, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Their commitment to refining their game is clearly evident in each session.

The Tennis Team also enjoyed a productive training session on Sunday. With high energy, strong rallies, and focused drills, the team continues to show excellent progress as they prepare for the summer ahead.

Behind the scenes, our dancer has been working diligently to fine-tune her routines with precision and creativity. Her passion and discipline shine through, and we look forward to seeing her final performances take shape.

From the pool to the pitch, the track to the court, the JCC Maccabi athletes are making their mark—not just with their skills, but with their enthusiasm, effort, and team spirit. With preparations in full swing, the entire delegation is building fantastic momentum heading into the Games.