At December's AGM, Maccabi GB hosted its Celebration Evening, where affiliates, grassroots clubs, and associations gathered to reflect on the year’s achievements and share their exciting plans for the future. The evening highlighted the incredible progress made across the community in 2024 and laid out bold aspirations for 2025.
Looking ahead, Maccabi GB aims to significantly expand its offerings to the community by introducing a robust calendar of grassroots events. Each month we will hold a number of Community events in different sports, starting with a Pickleball taster event in January and a 3x3 Basketball event in February. This ambitious plan will be supported by the newly formed Professionals in Sport Committee, comprising experienced community members dedicated to organising and promoting various sports activities.
The Maccabi Masters Football League (MMFL) celebrated its 25th year of providing competitive 11-a-side football for men aged 45 and older (lowering to 40+ in 2025). With 199 registered players and eight teams, the league continues to thrive, offering games on high-quality 4G pitches in Hatfield and Watford. London Maccabi Lions secured both the League and Cup titles for the 2023/24 season, while the St John’s Wood Tigers took home the Jack Morgan Plate Trophy. The league remains integral to Maccabi GB’s international presence, forming the backbone of squads for the 2025 Maccabiah Games in Israel. MMFL is actively recruiting new teams and players for the upcoming season.
The Maccabi Lawn Bowls Association, founded in 1993, continues to flourish, boasting nearly 100 members. Over the years, the association has built a strong reputation, representing Great Britain in every Maccabiah Games since 1997. The group organises friendly matches and annual competitions, while regular tours to Israel foster international camaraderie. Members of all ages are invited to join this inclusive and welcoming sport.
Grassroots basketball is experiencing a revival with the relaunch of Maccabi Magic. Weekly sessions for ages 9–18 are now held at Haberdashers’ School and in Finchley, attracting over 40 young players. These sessions, led by experienced coaches and former professional players, combine competition with camaraderie. Recent highlights include a bronze and silver medal at the EMYG, with upcoming plans for a 3x3 tournament and participation in the JCC Games. After a decade-long hiatus, Maccabi basketball is back, with ambitious plans to grow leagues, host tournaments, and develop young Jewish talent.
Manchester Maccabi also reported an impactful year, focusing on financial stability and community engagement. Collaborating with various partners, the club successfully hosted events like after-school programs and summer camps, connecting with younger members of the community. A major highlight is the £1 million investment in a state-of-the-art padel centre, set to open in 2025, complete with a kosher clubhouse. Other achievements included the ever-popular inter-shul football league, a Chanukah fundraiser, and receiving a Duke of Edinburgh licence, allowing the program to reach a broader audience.
The Maccabi Strollers Walking Football Club has gone from strength to strength in its second season, with 65 members and a vibrant community playing weekly matches. The club promotes inclusivity, supporting physical and mental well-being, and regularly organizes tournaments and friendlies. In a memorable highlight, the team hosted the Israeli National Walking Football squad, exchanging stories and building connections. The club has also invested in a new defibrillator, thanks to members’ fundraising efforts.
Other grassroots initiatives continue to thrive. HMH Football Club, one of the UK’s largest Jewish football clubs, fields 31 teams, including an expanding girls’ section. Grassroots table tennis and tennis are also growing, with weekly sessions led by dedicated coaches.
The Maccabi Celebration Evening showcased the extraordinary achievements of 2024 while
setting the stage for an even more dynamic and impactful 2025. Maccabi GB remains committed to fostering community, sportsmanship, and inclusivity through its diverse programs and initiatives.
If you are interested in taking part in or creating a grassroots sport club supported by Maccabi GB, please get in touch with Jordan Sapler at jordan@maccabigb.org
Commentaires