Hakoah’s bright future on and off the field
Leading the charge from Hakoah’s boardroom is three ambitious men in their early 30s who bleed Hakoah blue and they sat down with The AJN sports editor Adam Blau this week.
As the 2014 season concludes, Hakoah Sydney City East FC can reflect on a landmark year, including the side’s deep run into the inaugural Westfield FFA Cup, a minor premiership and gaining promotion to the National Premier League 2 competition. Leading the charge from Hakoah’s boardroom is Adam Joseph, Rani Rimmer and Michael Katz, three ambitious men in their early 30s who bleed Hakoah blue. They sat down with The AJN sports editor Adam Blau this week to discuss what the future holds for the historic club.
How long you all been involved with the club?
Adam Joseph: I have been involved with Hakoah for half my life, playing from 2000 to 2013 and on the board ever since. My wife has mentioned many times that it appears I love Hakoah more than I love her and the kids.
Michael Katz:My first involvement was as a player in 2013. I’m still running around on the field and have also been president since 2013 – it’s fair to say it was love at first sight!
Rani Rimmer: I was a Hakoah first grade player for approximately 10 years and retired in 2013. At this point, I was appointed with a primary role as director of football.
How has 2014 compared to previous years?
RR: Over the past five years, we have achieved promotion twice, won the first grade premiership twice, as well as two grand finals. But this year as a club was the most successful season.
MK: 2014 was definitely our best performance as a club, finishing first or second in every age group in very strong leagues.
AJ: Michael, Rani and I were appointed to the board in 2013 and this year has been the most successful season during my time at the club. The club has achieved promotion to the NPL2 competition, which sees us gain our youth back.
Tell me about the 2-1 loss to the Sharks in the FFA Cup tie round of 32.
AJ: The club was obviously disappointed to lose the FFA Cup against Palm Beach Sharks, as it wasn’t the team’s best performance this season. I believe on any other night we would have come up winners against them. It was also brilliant seeing over 1000 Hakoah fans (old and new fans), cheering on in torrential rain conditions at Hensley.
MK: Definitely a missed chance and obviously disappointed in the result, but also proud of our achievements to get there in the first place. The event itself was also fantastic. It was a real throwback to the glory days, and it certainly has created some excitement in the community – I can’t tell you how many young Jewish players are now saying, “I want to play for Hakoah!”
RR: The majority of tickets were purchased by local supporters, which is a clear indication that the community is behind this team. It was also a great moment in the club’s history to have one of its founding members (Frank Lowy) in the crowd showing support.
What does promotion mean for the club?
RR: Promotion to NPL2 means the community is the big winner from a successful 2014. This automatically results in the creation of a Hakoah youth system, from under-9s through to 15s. Providing our youth with the opportunity to play together at a competitive level will lead to the growth and strengthening of our community spirit.
MK: This will also provide a platform for developing our group of players for the 2017 Maccabiah Games.
AJ: I would like to see the focus on youth development of the players over the next three to five years.
Who are your favourite players at the club?
AJ: Jordan Mundell. I had the opportunity to play with Jordan and find it remarkable that he is now playing for the Australian indoor soccer team, and is still so level-headed and such a gentleman. I hope to see Jordan leading the club over the next 10 years. I also love watching Remy Wolanksi, Dylan Blumberg and Robbie Ezekiel in action and see all these players as the future of the club over the next 10 years.
MK: This is a hard question and I’ll cheat and name a few! Jabba (Neil Jablonski) is my old friend and teammate from the Sutherland Sharks. Jordy Mundell has been the best player in the club since I’ve been here and I also have a lot of hope for current U/20s leaders Gili Swartz and Dylan Basger. You also have to mention Lloyd Owusu, who has been a fantastic player for us.
Any more thoughts on the future?
AJ: Just that I would like us to engage the community further in 2015, and transform the club into the largest and most professional Maccabi club in Australia.
Hakoah Sydney City FC play in the State League 1 semifinals on September 7.
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