Women’s rugby joins Maccabiah Games

The Maccabiah – also known as the “Jewish Olympics” – take place in Israel every four years in the year following the summer Olympic Games, and include almost all summer Olympic events plus several non-Olympic sports (such as cricket and netball). In fact, in theory, the regulations allow for almost any sport to be included as long as there are (for women’s events) three or more competitors. That, and the fact that the Games have three age group categories (junior, open and masters) plus Paralympic events, account for their size.

The Games are open to “all Israeli citizens and to Jewish athletes from all over the world”, with entries generally organised by national Territorial Organisations or National Sports Federations. Generally British athletes compete as Great Britain, although at the last games in 2013 there was at least one athlete separately flying the flag of Scotland in golf!

Men’s rugby first joined the games in 1981 and has – uniquely in multi-sport events – been played as a XV-a-side competition. At this stage it is not clear whether women’s rugby will be XVs or VIIs – although the regulations suggest that both might be included if there were sufficient teams.

Entries are now being invited, but the closing date is likely to be as early as April next year. So if you are interested in taking part and eligible (as a minimum you need to be Jewish, and having resided in the country for at least six months prior to the start of the Games) it is essential that you contact yourTerritorial Organisationas soon as possible.

Note that this invitation is aimed at all players, and certainly not just members of elite squads. If you play rugby and meet the basic qualification then this is a great chance to pull on your national colours.

The Games themselves will take place, at various locations across Israel, from 4th-18thJuly 2017.

For more infomation contactLiat Geller