On July 4, 2017, the torch will be lit to officially open the 20th Maccabiah Games in Israel. The Maccabiah Games takes place every 4 years and was last held in 2013 with over 9,000 participants. The 20th Maccabiah Games will host over 10,000 participants representing over 80 countries competing in 40 different disciplines. Some of these athletes are the best in the world, having competed in world class competitions including the Olympics.
The Maccabiah Games is the 3rd largest international sporting event in the world – 3rd only to the World University Games and the Olympics. In 2013 Canada sent a contingent of over 500 to compete in sports that included: Football (soccer); baseball; basketball; beach volleyball; chess; cycling; golf; gymnastics; hockey; karate rugby; softball; swimming; track & field; triathlon; volleyball; water polo; and wrestling to name a few. Athlete participation is open to Jewish athletes.
Maccabi Canada is planning on sending 6 football teams to the 20th Maccabiah Games:
- U16 Boys (born in 2001 and 2002)
- U18 Boys (18 and under as of December 31, 2017, 1999 or later)
- U18 Girls (18 and under as of December 31, 2017, 1999 or later)
- Mens Open
- Women’s Open
- Men’s Masters (35+)
The countries that competed in the various age categories at the last Games included though not exhaustive: U.S.A., Mexico, Great Britain, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Australia, South Africa and Israel.
In past games our Canadian football teams have brought home Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.
Coaching assignments that have been confirmed include the following:
U16 Boys – Darren Rath, Jason Mausberg
U18 Boys – Ilya Orlov, Nico Girard
U18 Girls – Menashe Levi, Paul Deabreu
Men’s Open – Dino Perri, Richard Bucciarelli
Women’s Open – Jonathan Kallner, Brandon Frith
For more info, visit our website.