Ben Hemo: “Happy to help the club, it is a part of me”

Back in business: The Youth team starts the season

Maccabi Tel Aviv 'Schahar' kick-started their pre-season today (Tuesday) ahead of the 2020/21 campaign under Coach Eliezer Ben Aharon, his assistant Zion Cohen and Goalkeeping coach Shura Ubarov.

The Avi Cohen Youth Academy began the season as the first team to report back for training is the Club’s U-19’s – Maccabi Tel Avivc ‘Schahar’.

Eliezer Ben Aharon, who will begin his second season in-charge of the U-19’s took charge of the first session together with his staff which includes Assistant coach – Zion Cohen, Goalkeeping coach – Shura Ubarov, Fittness coach – Tal Volik and Physiotherapist – Or Aharon. The Youth team will consist of veteran youth team players as well as young players who were promoted from the U-17’s which won the championship last season.

Ben Aharon didn’t hide his excitement as he said after the session: “Despite the fact we are beginning our second season today, last season we worked for two thirds of the season . Covid19 halted our working progress and there is a feeling of an unfulfilled potential both in terms of the team and staff. Regardless, to open a second season as the Youth Team Coach of such a massive club – causes us to be immensely excited”.

“My expectations from the season are extremely high” Ben Aharon continued: “We gained a lot of experience and as coaching staff we feel more confident, connected and a lot more challenged. The club will continue the process of developing players as this is expected this season as well. The competition for places in the first team began today with the training session we held today and was relatively light due to the extremely hot weather conditions which made the lives difficult for the players and staff alike. This however is a reality we will have to get used to just like the way we missed 6 squad players to isolation and call-ups to the first team. We were forced to complete our squad with players from the U17’s and they proved that their place at the club has been justified. Covid19 will probably be with us for a while and it is important that players from the younger age group will remain part of our wide squad so that they understand our way. Finally I would like to wish everyone health and a successful season”.

The Avi Cohen Youth Academy began the season as the ...

Underway: The Youth Department’s training camp

Today (Sunday) the training camp of the Youth Department got underway at the training complex at Kiryat Shalom. The first day included physical activities, training on the pitch and video analysis

The Youth Academy training camp got underway for the second season in succession. Dozens of kids aged between 8 and 15 began the first of the two-week-camp. The day of the young players began with a training session on the Kiryat Shalom pitch before taking part in a video session with the department’s analysts.

During the camp the players will continue participating in professional training sessions as well as holding meetings with a mental coach, a nutritionist, members of the medical staff etc.

Maccabi’s Under 17’s coach Ori David, who manages the training camp, said: “After a lot of preparations and hard work, we opened the training camp for the second time. It is really exciting to see the large number of players arriving from various clubs who have a thirst for information and knowledge of football. It is also very satisfying to see young players return for the second time. The camp was opened in a highly impressive manner and I really enjoyed seeing the level of the players and not less important, the level of their commitment to learn the professional aspects of our Academy’s philosophy. We ended the day with a lecture I gave on ‘The importance of the team in football’. During the week they are expected to have several surprises both on and off the pitch”.

The Youth Academy training camp got underway for the second ...

Academy trials successfully ended

The Club's Youth Academy held trials during two open days for young players born between 2002 and 2014. Over 400 kids participated in the activity which took place at Kiryat Shalom and the University compound.

The Club’s Youth Academy held over the past two days (Wednesday and Thursday) special days for young players from all across the country aged between 2002 and 2014. Ran Elias who leads the Youth Academy scouting department, managed the activity as alongside him were various coaches who all helped maintain the quality professionalism and pleasure. Maccabi’s Performance Director, Patrick Van Leeuwen, who heads the Academy, is interested in continuing to hold such open days for footballers of various ages.

The activity took place under the guidelines of The Ministry of Health and was split over the two-day-period between the Academy’s two sites of Kiryat Shalom training complex and the University compound. The players were divided according to their age groups as the coaching staff matched the level of the sessions according to the players’ age and ability which helped the youngsters fit into the training format. In the event that a player fits the criteria, the coaching staff is set to get in-touch with those players found suitable in order to continue the connection with them. The special day created an excellent chance for players from all across the country to come closer to the Club and take-in some of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s values.

Ran Elias, Head of Maccabi’s Academy Scouting Department summed up the activity: “We were pleasantly surprised by the number of young players who arrived despite the irregular and challenging time caused by Covid19. As opposed to previous seasons we decided to split the Open Day over a two-day-period and into two separate compounds, so that we could conduct the activity under the strict guidelines of the Ministry of Health. This is one of many projects we run during the season and hope to continue holding them in the future. Our aim is to see talented players from all across the country and give them the opportunity to train and play on the pitches of the Youth Academy and under our coaching staff. I would like to use the opportunity to thank all the coaches and club employees who took part in ensuring that such an activity was so successful”.

The Club’s Youth Academy held over the past two days ...

Schahar Rozen extended his contract at Maccabi Tel Aviv

The U-19’s left-back signed a contract extension at the club

Schahar Rozen, a member of the clubs’ Youth Academy who ...

Niv Berkovic extended his contract at Maccabi Tel Aviv

The Youth Academy midfielder who played last season for the Youth Team and featured for Israel’s U-18’s, extended his contract at the club

Niv Berkovic, 17,  who played for the Youth team last season and is also featured for Israel’s U-18’s, extended his contract at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Maccabi’s Performance Director, Patrick Van Leeuwen, told the club’s official website: “Niv is a midfielder who is playing for the moment at Maccabi’s U-19’s as well as a regular for Israel’s young national teams. We think that next season will be an important year for Niv to continue his development. We demand from all players to show stability and consistency so that we could enjoy good performances from him week in week out”.

Berkovic joined the club at the age of 12 and made 22 appearances in all competitions for the Youth Team. The central midfielder who made 16 appearances for Israel’s U-17’s and U-18’s national sides, added: “I am delighted to sign my first senior contract and would like to thank Maccabi for the opportunity. This is only the beginning and from here I will work even harder to justify the faith the club has shown in me”.

Niv Berkovic, 17,  who played for the Youth team ...

New age group starts preparing for next season

MTA's Youth Academy has begun its preparations for next season and youngsters born in 2013, who had previously trained at the club's schools, are being formed into a squad that will be part of the academy

The Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Academy convened a group of players on Monday that will be the squad to play in the under-18 age group division next season. The boys, born in 2013, who will compete in the youngest of the Academy’s three youth teams.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Academy convened a group of ...

We have missed our training says Omer Itzhaki

The Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Academy has returned to a full training schedule and the coaching staff and the players are pleased to be back at Kiryat Shalom, youth team players Omer Itzhaki and Nadav Nidam have told us

The Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Academy is back to a regular training schedule at Kiryat Shalom and the players and coaching staff are so pleased to be able to work on their skills on the grass and in the gym at Kiryat Shalom.

After two months of lockdown, as each player had to try to keep fit at home, regular training got back into full swing a couple of weeks ago. We spoke to two of the youth team’s players, captain Omer Itzhaki and midfielder Nadav Nidam, who told us how it feels to be in back preparation for action next season.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Academy is back to a ...

Academy back in full action as girls resume training

Following the youth and older boys who returned to action last week, MTA's girls teams resumed training this week alongside the younger boys' age groups, signalling the Academy's full return to action

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Youth Academy returned to full action this week as the girls’ team and the boys’ younger age groups resumed training, while always keeping Health Ministry directives in mind.

The girls are continuing to progress and build in their inaugural season in which three age group teams have been established. The two older teams have been involved in official league action, while the youngest group have played in tournaments and training matches.

The female academy is being run under the guidance of Academy Performance Director Patrick Van Leeuwen and the teams are managed by Dana Nissenbaum, who oversees a group of coaches aiming to nurture the next generation of female players in the best possible conditions.

The Academy is always looking for more girls to grow the Maccabi family and anybody interested in joining should call Dana on 0506-300890.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Youth Academy returned to full action this ...

Youth Academy sets up international ties

After establishing connections with several clubs throughout Israel, the MTA Youth Academy has spread its wings all the way to Australia and has linked up with Maccabi FC Caulfield of Melbourne

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Youth Academy has set up ties with Australian club Maccabi FC Caulfield of Melbourne with the aim of sharing information and know-how on training and on players.

With international travel currently restricted, contact can only be made on line and the Maccabi Academy technical staff are providing recorded video seminars for their Australian counterparts.

Both clubs expect to hold events in much closer proximity after lockdown measures end with the hope of holding seminars, staff visits and training camps and possibly sharing players.

Michael Kan, Caulfield’s coaching coordinator, expressed his delight at the online seminars and said the coaches were able to benefit from the information shared about the Youth Academy’s activities.

“We have been very pleased to find similarities between our own football philosophy and that of Maccabi Tel Aviv and it is a clear indication that we are on the right track. Our coaches have learned a great deal and they will be happy to hold more such meetings in the future,” Kan said.

“Caulfield’s aim is to give all players the chance to develop and excel through bettering our coaching and tuition. There is no better way to develop than to observe and learn from other clubs such as Maccabi Tel Aviv, who work at the highest level.

“We are proud to have held fruitful partnership between the clubs and we look forward to hosting some of your coaches at our club in Melbourne next year. By having an elite club such as Maccabi Tel Aviv doing coaching workshops here, I believe more Jewish kids will take up the global sport of football and through it we can keep the Jewish community connected,” he added.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Youth Academy has set up ties with ...

Maccabi on track in 3-1 practice match win over Ra’anana

With two weeks to go to the restart of the TASE Premier League campaign, Maccabi Tel Aviv notched a 3-1 practice match win over Hapoel Ra'anana at Kiryat Shalom on Saturday and instilled more confidence for the title run-in

Maccabi Tel Aviv chalked up an important 3-1 practice match win over Hapoel Ra’anana at Kiryat Shalom in searing conditions on Saturday and gave themselves a confidence boost after a layoff of over six weeks as they prepare for the restart of the Premier League at the end of the month.

Both teams used 12 substitutes each and none of the players played for the entire 90 minutes, allowing them plenty of recovery time as the teams gear up for the closing phase of the season.

Itay Shechter put Maccabi ahead in the seventh minute after pouncing on a rebounding ball after Ra’anana goalkeeper Niv Antman kept out a shot by Andre Geraldes.

The visitors’ Or Dasa levelled the scores in the 35th minute but Shechter added his second goal in the 41st minute after a series of passes saw Avi Rikan put him clear in front of goal and the Maccabi striker was left to slot home.

Nick Blackman, who substituted Shechter in the second half, sealed the result in the 79th minute with a left-footed strike after a good assist by substitute Parfait Guiagon, the under-19 team’s Ivory Coast striker.

Maccabi’s first match in the playoff phase of the Premier League will be against Hapoel Haifa at home on May 30. With all 26 matches in the first two phases of the league completed, Maccabi lead the table with 64 points, six ahead of second-placed Maccabi Haifa, who appear to be their only realistic title challengers. Beitar Jerusalem are third in the standings on 49 points.

Ra’anana are playing in the lower-section playoffs and will not face Maccabi again this season.

Starting lineups:

Maccabi Tel Aviv: Daniel Tenenbaum (Andreas Gianniotis, 46), Andre Geraldes (Itay Ben Hemo, 62), Jair Amador (Sheran Yeini, 46), Shahar Piven (Omer Itzhak, 75), Enric Saborit (Ophir Davidzada, 46), Dan Glazer (Dor Peretz, 46), Avi Rikan (Ruslan Barsky, 46), Dor Micha (Eyal Golasa, 46, Parfait Guiagon, 75), Omer Atzili (Matan Hozez, 46), Yonatan Cohen (Eylon Almog, 46), Itay Shechter (Nick Blackman, 46).

Hapoel Ra’anana: Niv Antman (Assaf Tzur, 46), Daryl Lahman (Adi Nimni, 46), Ido Levy (David Mattheus, 46), Amit Cohen (Shon Klimkin, 46), Yarden Cohen (Roey Herman, 46), Itay Katzav (Ben Binyamin, 46), Snir Shuker (Ben Savir, 46), Diwan Naeh (Ido Ben Yosef, 46, Golan Benny 68), Roey Levy (Lior Berkovitz, 46), Or Dasa (Eugene Ansa, 46), Idan Shemesh (Vitali Ganon, 46).

Maccabi Tel Aviv chalked up an important 3-1 practice match ...