MAIGS – On Your Marks!
The official launch of MAIGS, the Maccabi Australia International Games, was held in the Star Room at the Imax theatre at Sydney’s Darling Harbour.
Jeff Houseman and Karen Grega all pics: Henry Benjamin
Guests included Ron Carner, President, Maccabi USA and his wife Talia together with a swag of Victorians and all the usual suspects from Maccabi Clubs.
It was an evening of excitement, anticipation and mostly lots of hugs. Something always happens when you get a bunch of Maccabi folk together it becomes a “hug fest”. Everyone is so genuinely happy to see each other, one can easily go home with a sore jaw from too much smiling, Maccabi News editor, Odile Faludi professed!
Jeff Houseman, Chairman, MAIGS was keen to share the good news and to announce where some of the sports will be locted. Houseman proudly announced that Sydney Olympic Park, “SOP” had been secured. Other venues include: Tennis at White City, Cycling at Eastern Creek , Ten Pin Bowling at Lidcombe , Triathlon at the Sydney International Regatta Centre and Lawn Bowls at the Double Bowling Club. Jeff also thanked the Maccabi NSW Tennis Club for their support and in particular James Beechem and Steve Goldberg.
“To stage the games it will cost Maccabi Australia approximately $2.5million,” Jeff openly reported. “Therefore, over the next few months, the fundraising committee will be carrying out an exhaustive drive to motivate businesses and individuals to back this great sporting event by becoming being corporate sponsors.”
Sponsors already in place and thanked on the night included the Hakoah Club which took out a Silver sponsorship including naming rights to Football at MAIGS. The club’s president, Phil Filler was joined by other major sponsors, Elaine and Peter Smaller of Southern Steel long time supporters of Maccabi.
Tony Houhlias, Manager of the Sport Development of SOPA was acknowledged for SOPA’s kind donation and Barry Smorgon and Tom Goldman, OAM were named Games Patrons.
Keynote speaker Karen Grega reminisced about the 2006 MAIGS, also held in Sydney. She was the CEO.
MAI Chairman Barry Smorgon with Spiritual Dean Rabbi Mendel Kastel
Anthony Goodridge and MAIGS Team Manager Eliana Aarons
Harry Procel, President Maccabi Australia
Peter and Elaine Smaller
Giselle and Bob Mundell
