MACCABI USA SEEKING JEWISH TENNIS PLAYERS FOR THE 20TH WORLD MACCABIAH GAMES
Philadelphia, PA, September 13, 2016 – Maccabi USA is seeking qualified Jewish Tennis Players, ages 14-85+, to represent Team USA at the 20th World Maccabiah Games in Israel, July 4-18, 2017. Age categories include: Juniors (birth years 1999-2002), Open and Paralympic (ages 18+), Masters, and Grand Masters teams. Both Masters (35+) and Grand Masters (65+) will have the opportunity to participate in these events and will compete in five-year age divisions, for example, 45-49, 50-54, etc. Tennis players will be part of the overall 1,200+ member USA Team at the 2017 World Maccabiah Games of 9,000 athletes, 80 countries, and 42 sports.
The coaches and chairmen joining our delegation have a combined 12 years of experience with the organization; Juniors and Open Tennis Chairman is Lisa Chajet from New York City; Masters Co-Chairmen are Jody Helfend and Doug Pacht from Calabasas, CA, and Peter Simel from New York City; Grand Masters Co-Chairmen are Howard Guggenheim from Boca Raton, FL and Irwin Shorr from Olney, MD.
“The opportunity to try out and represent Team USA, your Jewish heritage, and play tennis in Israel is an indescribable feeling. The experience of meeting other talented Jewish athletes, while having the ability to get closer to Israel is life-changing,” said Open Head Coach Lonnie Mitchel. Mitchel has been on a three year coaching stint for Team USA from the 2013 Maccabiah Games to the 2015 European Games in Berlin, Germany and the 2015 Pan American Maccabi Games in Santiago, Chile.
Tryouts for the Juniors and Open Tennis Teams will be held November 5-6, 2016 in North Merrick and Bethpage, NY. Masters Tennis tryouts will be held October 22-23, 2016 in Boca Raton, FL and Grand Masters tryouts will be held November 14, 2016 in Los Angeles, CA. Grand Masters applicants will try out in October in Boca Raton only and at this time, only applicants in the 65-69 division will be required to attend the tryout. All other Grand Masters applicants are welcome, but will not be required to attend the tryout, unless there are enough competitors to warrant a tryout.
Applications for the Games must be submitted prior to the tryout. Please visit maccabiusa.com to apply for the Games.
For more information, please contact Program Director, Shane Carr, at (215) 561-6900, or by email at scarr@maccabiusa.com.
About the organization:
Maccabi USA (MUSA) is a federally-recognized not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization with an extensive history of enriching Jewish lives through athletic, cultural and educational programs. The organization is the official sponsor of the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games, and the Pan American and European Maccabi Games, as well as a sponsor of the JCC Maccabi Games for teens in North America. As the official Maccabi representative in the U.S., Maccabi USA supports Jewish athletic endeavors, enhanced by cultural and educational activities in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora.
MUSA develops, promotes and supports international, national and regional athletic-based activities and facilities. It strives to provide Jewish athletes the world over the opportunity to share their heritage and customs in competitive athletic settings. MUSA supports programs that embody the Maccabi ideals of Jewish Continuity, Zionism and Excellence in Sport. Maccabi USA Builds Jewish Pride Through Sports.
Maccabi USA is a U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Multi-Sport Organization (MSO). The organization is one of 38 MSOs nationwide to be recognized by the USOC for its ability to cultivate a national interest in sport and increase opportunities for participation internationally, nationally and at the grassroots level.
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MACCABI USA – Building Jewish Pride Through Sports