Aussies back at JCC Games
AFTER a seven-year absence, Maccabi Australia has announced it will be sending a team of to compete in the Jewish Community Centre (JCC) Games in America.
A group of 25 young athletes are confirmed to don the green-and-gold uniforms at the event this July and August.
Hosted by the US cities of Dallas and Miami, the JCC Games are the third largest organised sports tournament for Jewish teenagers in the world, bringing together approximately 6000 participants from around the globe.
A swimming squad of six, as well as boys’ Under-14 and Under-16 basketball teams, will comprise the Aussie team.
Head of delegation Susannah Swiatlo said it will be an “experience of a lifetime” for the young athletes.
“The basketball tryouts in particular were incredibly taxing as the participants travelled from varying parts of the continent to strive for selection,” she said.
“Coaches Max Kausman (Under-16) and Jarred Kieser (Under-14) have now set up individual and team development plans to prepare the boys for some strong American teams.”
Swiatlo added that, unlike the basketball trials, the swimming team was chosen based on times achieved in local meets, saying that “there is little doubt the successful applicants under coach Guy Eylon will make their country and community proud come this August”.
President of Maccabi Australia Barry Smorgon OAM said he is pleased that Australia will be once again be represented at the JCC Games.
“Congratulations to head of delegation Susannah Swiatlo for bringing together a truly national quality junior delegation,” said Smorgon.
“We are thrilled that there are so many keen competitors looking to represent Maccabi Australia at these and other international games.”
The JCC tournament is one of three international events at which Maccabi Australia will be sending participants during 2015.
In early July, an Australian contingent including the 2011 gold medal-winning futsal team travels to Berlin for the European Maccabi Games, followed by December’s Pan American Games in Chile, which will feature a green-and-gold delegation headed by Lauren Ehrlich.
The teams for the JCC Games are:
Swimming: Taya Carp, Isabella Coghlan, Jared Elbourne, Damon Glick, Judd Katz, Jesse Nissen. U-14 basketball: Jack Bassat, Cobi Chrapot, Alon Danby, Dylan Katz, Toby Lipton, Tal Ram, Richie Robenstone, Corey Schwarz, Max Vadas, Noah Webb. U-16 basketball: Jack Burman, Bailey DeBortoli, Noah Debortoli, Greg Diamond, Matt Gamerov, Jayden Gordoun, Nahar Pleshet, Jordan Spyrides, Jeremy Stein.
ADAM BLAU
Pictured: the Australian delegation at the 2008 JCC Games.
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