DAVID WEINER

MACCABI Australia has appointed Ellana Aarons to head Australia’s team management at the second Maccabi Australia International Games (MAIGs), to be held in December 2010 and January 2011 in Sydney.

With the tournament set to attract a healthy contingent of international competition, Aarons said her challenge is to “better that and get quality Australian teams on the field”.

In a bid to build the profile of the MAIGs and encourage Australian Jewry to support the event, Aarons plans to “keep costs to a bare minimum” to entice local participation.

Aarons’ vision is for the MAIGs to not only be a fierce international competition, but to attract such local numbers that interstate Australian rivalry can be rekindled at senior level by fielding separate sides from NSW, Victoria and Western Australia in major sports, such as basketball, football and netball.

“We would hope if there are quality athletes that would allow us to have two teams in a sport, we will be doing that,” Aarons told The AJN.

“We need to keep in mind it’s an international competition, but in many ways for us, because we won’t be able to get together [for training camps], our state-based sides will be stronger anyway. Then you’re coming with mates, you’re going to have a good time, it’s not ripping teams apart to create new teams … it’s an opportunity to re-ignite state rivalry.”

The long-time Maccabi player and administrator’s first task is to assemble a management committee, before player nominations open in mid-April.

Meanwhile, MAIG’s chairman Jeff Houseman has told The AJN that 13 countries have confirmed their attendance, with further details to be formalised when he attends a meeting in Israel in May.

The Games will be officially launched on February 14 with a gala function at the IMAX theatre’s Star Room, in Darling Harbour, Sydney.

Heads of delegation from the US, Canada, and possibly South Africa and Brazil, will join Maccabi Australia in launching the MAIGs, and Houseman has implored Sydney Maccabi clubs and players to support the event.

While it is still early days, Houseman has declared that preparations are “going well”.

“The sports are going extremely well,” he assessed. “It’s just a matter of countries putting their hand up and hopefully we’ll have a better idea after the meeting. Cycling [which was not on the original list] has come on big time, which is just incredible.

“The rugby club has asked for rugby to be put on, and we’re seeing if there is any interest. If countries put up their hands, Australia has to as well.”

The MAIGs launch is on February 14 at Star Room, above IMAX theatre in Darling Harbour, at 7pm. Tickets: $75/head or $650/table of ten. Corporate tables also on offer. RSVP by February 12. Enquiries: Anne Wilson at admin@maccabiaustralia.com.

Confirmed countries for the Games

Argentina
Azerbaijan
Brazil
Canada
Finland
Hungary
Israel
Mexico
New Zealand
Scotland
South Africa
USA
Venezuala