Gary Blieden in action this year. Photo: AJN file/Peter Haskin

ASHLEY SHENKER

AJAX footballer Gary Blieden was rewarded for a stellar season with a second consecutive best and fairest award at AJAX’s presentation night on Tuesday.

Blieden was the standout player polling 90 votes, 20 clear of Mark Segal, who finished second with 70. Ruben Winograd completed the minor placings on 69.

The star midfielder polled in almost every game of the season. Blieden went on to scoop the awards pool, taking out the club’s most courageous award and the supporter’s vote.

Other awards presented to senior players were the most improved to leading goalkicker David Fayman, most determined to midfielder Josh Kalmus, the coaches award to Ben Kalmus, and best first-year player to speedy forward Josh Sacks.
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Celebrating a successful season with the Maccabi Junior Soccer Club

AJN STAFF

THE Sydney Cricket Ground played host to the Maccabi Junior Soccer Club’s end-of-season presentation on October 5.

Around 1000 children and their parents sat perched in the Ladies Stand as club president Danny Hochberg took the opportunity to encourage people to continue their important volunteering work with Maccabi.

He said the community needs to consider the important role sport plays in the “retention of our youth within a Jewish framework” when deciding where to invest in Jewish facilities.

The club presented awards for the best team in each age group, while each side awarded MVP and most improved awards to its players.

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Playing coach Andrew Freund (left) with Christian Smak … joint winners of North Caulfield Maccabi’s best and fairest award.

AJN STAFF

PLAYING-COACH Andrew Freund and young star Christian Smak were joint winners of North Caulfield Maccabi’s best and fairest gong at the soccer club’s 2009 awards night.

Captain Adam Rischin was close behind, remarkably polling 18 votes at the halfway mark of the season, before the Maccabiah Games and travel commitments kept him out for the rest of the 2009 campaign.

The award for the most goals was also a tie, with Dion Esterman and Justin Scrobogna sharing the honours.

Shot-stopper Alex Gutwirth was the recipient of the coach’s award, while Jonathan Braver took out the award for the most improved player and also got the nod for the reserves best and fairest player.
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AJAX football captain Jason Ritterman (left) and North Caulfield soccer player Ari Ritz (right) shared the Victoria Maccabi club sportsman of the year award. They are pictured with former Maccabi president Russell Jaffe.

COREY JANKIE

ABLE tennis champion David Zalcberg capped off a memorable 12 months when he was presented with the Les Goldsmith Open Sportsman of the Year award at Maccabi Victoria’s Annual Awards presentation on June 4. Taking out Maccabi’s top honour was the latest in a string of achievements for the Australian champion. 

Zalcberg qualified for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and was recognised by the Victorian Institute of Sport earlier this year when it awarded him with the Sport and Career achievement. Zalcberg was also selected for Australia’s Maccabiah squad, but was forced to withdraw for work reasons.

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