From Court to Community: Maccabi Israel Sports Experience
The inaugural class of young adult athletes has arrived in Israel despite the war for a year-long intensive basketball program. "Our goal is to inspire them with a passion for sports, offer top-level competition, and deepen their connection to Israel", said MWU CEO Amir Gissin.
- 28 December, 2024
MWU launched its first-ever sports academy program focusing on basketball as part of the new Maccabi Israel Sports Experience initiative. This program offers post-high school athletes the opportunity to spend a year living at Kfar Maccabiah, training under top coaches, meeting with the sports world’s leading figures, and exploring their roots while working on taking their skills to the next level. Many participants aspire to play competitively in college or pursue professional sports careers.
The program’s first class includes 10 young men from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Australia, training under Head Coach Harold Katz, a former assistant coach at UMBC and head coach at Goucher College. The young athletes will remain in Israel until June, playing on the Maccabi Israel Sports XP basketball team and representing the program within Israel’s IBBA (Israel Basketball Association) semi professional B League.
In addition to their athletic training, participants will explore the country, volunteer in various efforts to give back to the community, intern in the hi-tech sector, spend Shabbat weekends together, and connect with host families around Israel.
According to Program Director Adi Ciner, “We want to give young Jewish athletes the opportunity to be their best, fulfill their personal ambitions, and feel at home in Israel. Our ten incredible players took the chance to follow their dreams and come here despite the war. We’re giving them the chance to experience Israel while being part of something bigger".
MWU CEO Amir Gissin added, “We envision a world-leading academy with multiple sports programs for men and women, combining a love of the sport with the opportunity to compete at the highest levels and to experience Israel, all in one. We aim to create a sports academy on par with the greatest training centers worldwide, to do our part in helping young athletes achieve success while instilling in them the values of strength and resilience that have been part of the Jewish and Israeli people for generations".
Recruitment for next year's program is underway, with tracks in basketball, soccer, and sports management!
For more information and participation, please contact Adi Ciner at: [email protected].
