Maccabi Sport’s Leaders of Tomorrow

October 7, 2010 by Odile Faludi - Maccabi NSW
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Maccabi News caught up with Dr Ilan Kogus, currently spearheading the Youth Leadership Program under the Maccabi Australia banner.

Ilan Kogus

Ilan comes well equipped for this role with years of experience mentoring elite sporting teams such as the Australian Men’s Hand ball Squad, 2000 Olympics; the Australian Wallabies (1999 World Rugby Champions) the Australian Junior Wallabies (1998 World Champions); the Sydney Flames (1993 Australian Basketball Champions); Tennis Australia and New Zealand Rugby Union.

Ilan kindly explained the program, which has 12 dynamic individuals who are matched with their own assigned mentor. The role of the mentor is to go out of their way to help the mentee to clarify their vision. The mentor is someone highly experienced in life and in business with a proven track record of success and a longstanding relationship with Maccabi. Ilan says, “It’s initially building trust and once the trust is built, everything changes for the mentee. When someone is heard and feels someone really cares, new heights are reached that were previously thought to be inconceivable. Building confidence is the key. Our mentors are the crème de la crème of our organisation and are teaching the solid rule, one learns by doing.”

David Rifkin aged 26 is being mentored by Maccabi Australia executive, Tom Goldman, OAM. David told Maccabi News, “I started the program a few months ago and in every aspect of my life I can see improvement. I am the busiest I have ever been but I seem to be achieving more. Tom has helped me not only to manage my time better but my energy too. I am confidently juggling all the Maccabi projects on the boil without burning anything. Seeing Maccabi through Tom’s eyes, I have a new appreciation of the organisation. His love and commitment has inspired me to want to feel his passion and get out of Maccabi the experiences he has over the last 40 years. Professionally I have implemented my new found strengths and applied them in growing my IT business and I can see benefits already.”

Ilan outlined three definite areas where the program is geared for success. They are to: Develop future leaders equipped to manage a larger and better organisation. For mentees to go through a process of self growth and improvement which will benefit every aspect of their life. Lastly, for mentors to receive the ultimate reward to know that their knowledge, through years of service to Maccabi, is shared and continued through these young leaders. The program is currently offering:

Monthly “Mentor/Mentee meetings”
Monthly “phone call”
“Buddy System”
3 X 2 day workshops with Ilan as a group.
This program is not for everyone, it is only for the committed and ambitious individuals who really want to learn, share and make it. A program like this would normally cost a fortune. The price involved is the commitment of the mentee to serve Maccabi for at least three years and assist with Maccabiah, Junior Carnival and the growth of Clubs. A small price to pay!

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