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BASKETBALL
Maccabi Bucks win U18 decider
The Waverley Basketball Association’s U18 boys’ division 1 premiership decider was held last Sunday, and it was an all-Maccabi match-up, and with that, a guaranteed premiership win for Maccabi Victoria Basketball Club.
The match was an even contest for most of it, between the Maccabi Bucks – which comprised all the Victorian members of Australia’s U16 boys’ squad that competed at this year’s Maccabiah Games in Israel – and the Maccabi Warriors.
In the end, the Maccabi Bucks won 30-23.
TENNIS
Vic Jewish tennis champions crowned
The 2022 Maccabi Tennis Club and Victorian Jewish Tennis Championships, held from late August to early September, drew a competitive field.
So much so, that neither of the top two seeds made the final of the open singles, or the men’s B grade singles.
Joel Fredman was crowned the open singles club champion – remarkably for the third time in three different decades – when defeating Jess Flicker 6-1, 6-3 in the final.
To get there, he ousted the defending champion Warren Steinberg in the semis by 6-3, 6-7, 6-1, and won three earlier matches in the tournament without dropping a set.
Alan Liebowitz didn’t drop a set en route to the B grade singles decider, but then lost the first set of the final 4-6 against Adam Needleman.
Liebowitz quickly recovered from that setback, going on to win the next two sets 6-1, 6-3, and the B grade trophy.
Brothers Warren and Dean Steinberg won the doubles title, which was played in a round robin format.
NAB LEAGUE BOYS’ FOOTY
Sheezel shines for Dragons in grand final
Potential top 10 2022 AFL Draft pick and former AJAX junior, Harry Sheezel, starred for the Sandringham Dragons in their big 14.10 (94) to 7.9 (51) NAB League Boys’ grand final victory over the Dandenong Stingrays, featuring fellow Jewish footballer Ziggy Toledo-Glasman.
Sheezel kicked four goals from five shots for the Dragons in another classy display, also making 13 disposals.
INTERFAITH FOOTY
MCG to host Jolson-Houli Unity Cup this Sunday
Aussie Rules fans, and anyone who supports fostering interfaith relations among youth through sport, are urged to head to the MCG this Sunday to cheer on all players involved in the annual Jolson-Houli Unity Cup fixture.
Entry is free, to watch two matches between the Jewish and Muslim teams – an U15 boys’ game starting at 9.30am, and the main game, the U18 boys’, commencing at 10.45am, followed by an awards ceremony.
The Jolson/Maccabi/AJAX community teams have attended training sessions under coach Jamie Flinkier, and are looking forward not just to playing in the MCG, but socialising with their Bachar Houli Academy Team opponents after their games, and forming friendships.
The event is a partnership between Richmond Football Club, Maccabi Victoria, the Bachar Houli Foundation, Henry Jolson Pathways Program, AJAX Footy Club, the AFL, and the Melbourne Cricket Club Foundation.
FOOTBALL
Maccabi FC Caulfield celebrates the women’s game
After finally getting to complete a full Women’s State League 1 South-East season, there was plenty to celebrate at the Maccabi FC Caulfield 2022 women’s awards night earlier this month at Caulfield Park Bowls Club, attended by Football Victoria CEO Kimon Taliadores.
It was also a chance to thank club officials, team head coach Adam Steele, and departing reserve team and assistant senior coach Gili Inbar.
The senior team award winners were Lizzie Quinton (Players’ Player), Aicha Phipps-Booth (Most Valuable Player), and Ally Radobuljac (Most Improved Player), while Quinton also won the Sydney Kahn Award of Distinction.
In the reserve team’s awards, Mego O’Sullivan received the Most Valuable Player award, Abby Gordon was announced Most Improved Player, and the Coach’s Award was presented to Bonnie Mills.
WALKING FOOTBALL
Kennedy joins in at tournament
Former Socceroo striker Josh Kennedy was the star guest at the latest Football Victoria Walking Football tournament at Keilor Park earlier this month, which Maccabi FC Caulfield entered two teams into, against teams from Keilor, Berwick, Whittlesea, Bendigo and Beechworth.
Kennedy even took part in some of the games of this friendly, modified form of the sport.
The smiles on faces, and camaraderie among players from different teams, ensured the future of walking football is bright.
SQUASH
Positive first pennant for Maccabi
Mazal tov to the Maccabi Victoria Squash Club team of Luke Lourensz, Jake Green, and Hugo Burstin.
The trio, in just their first season in the Southern Squash League, finished as 2022 winter pennant runners-up in the men’s C reserve division.
Meanwhile, the small but growing club – which re-formed in 2021 – runs a social squash session on Sundays at Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre.
For more information about the club, contact Justin on 0400 551 611.
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