Maccabi Junior football trials a success

OWN CORRESPONDENT.

Just over 65 excited boys attended the trials which were held at Balfour Park FC in Johannesburg including six boys from Cape Town. The boys and parents were briefed on the strategic direction for under-16 and under-18 football going forward – ultimately aiming for success at the Maccabiah.

The boys played in seven-a-side and 11-a-side formats and were evaluated by independent and professional selectors from various academies and clubs in South Africa. The level of football was strong and the boys and parents were positive and pleased about the way in which the trials were run.

Two training squads of approximately 25 players have now been chosen to take the process forward and form the basis for a competitive team that will fly the flag high for Maccabi and South Africa in 2017.

The squad will run professionally going forward, which will include the spheres of regular training and competitive matches, sports science and psychology, biokinetics and team-building activities.

Maccabi SA is also in the planning stages of making a football programme available to younger Jewish players who aren’t yet eligible for the Maccabiah. Maccabi SA would like to thank Balfour Football Club, FORWARDZONE and Hatzolah for making the trials not only possible, but a success.