The Youth Academy held a tournament for Under-13 teams from around the country with the goal of Maccabi Tel Aviv strengthening its ties with other clubs from the around the country.
Six teams from with players born in 2006 and two from Maccabi who were born in 2007 were split into two groups to play 25 minute games.
Group A
Maccabi “Oz” Tel Aviv, Maccabi Ironi Bat Yam, Nahariya, Hapoel Nir Ramat HaSharon
Group B
Maccabi “Leibo” Tel Aviv, Holon, Beitar Ramat Gan, Haporl Hadera
Bat Yam took first place, Hapoel Hadera came in second while Maccabi “Leibo” was third.
The tournament organizer Ran Elias spoke about the importance of the cooperating with other clubs from around the country: “This tournament was the first connection in future cooperation with these clubs from various parts of the country. The purpose is to build a football network from the north to the south of the country. This will allow teams and clubs the chance to be connected to Maccabi and enjoy professional collaboration. The tournament itself was an opportunity gave these clubs the opportunity to get to know Maccabi Tel Aviv and the power of the club. This will be the first step in continuing cooperation with these clubs with the goal of hosting more of these tourneys around the country in the future.”
Some of the participating coaches also talked about the experience including Chai, the Bat Yam coach: “This was a competition organized by the top club in the country with the highest professional standards. Maccabi Tel Aviv treated us all first class and from a professional side I’m thrilled we won this tournament. I look forward to more in the future.”
Boaz, the Hapoel Hadera coach also chimed in: “The idea to out together this competition was brilliant. It gave us a chance to not only meet other teams form across Israel but also gave if a chance to see what a club like Maccabi Tel Aviv is all about. The teams played on a number of pitches and the players didn’t have to wait around as they moved from game to game. On a personal level I hope that there will be more of these opportunities in the future.”
