Gold’s the goal for Myers and Warren in Berlin

The experienced futsal ‘dream team’ of Laurence Myers and Scott Warren have been named as the joint-managers to lead Team Maccabi GB’s U16 futsal squad at the European Maccabi Games 2015 in Berlin.

The pair led the same side to silver at the 19th Maccabiah Games last July, and are going all-out to go one step further next year in Germany.

Myers, who will repeat his role as the team’s manager, has spent over 10 years coaching junior football and is currently overseeing the Aldenham U15 side in the Watford Friendly League. He has worn the Union Jack Mogen David as both player and Manager – playing in the Masters Futsal Squad at the 18th Maccabiah Games in 2009 and later leading the Team Maccabi GB U16 Futsal Team to a medal last summer, beating one of the favourites, Argentina, twice along the way. Scott Warren also has vast experience with Team Maccabi GB. He played in the Junior Football Squad at the Maccabiah Games in 1997 and the Open Futsal Squad in 2009, before his role as assistant manager in 2013. He will take up the same position for Berlin.

Speaking about what it feels like to be appointed in the role, and what the aims are for Berlin 2015, Myers said: “It’s a great honour to have been given the opportunity to manage the U16 Futsal Squad at the European Maccabi Games 2015. Scott and I are determined to go one better than we did in Israel [at 19th Maccabiah Games] and to come home from Berlin with Gold. However, our main aim is to ensure that the whole squad has the best possible experience both on and off the court. To be part of Team Maccabi GB at any International Jewish Games is a real privilege, but to be part of the first Games to be held in Germany is going to be even more memorable for everyone involved.”

Warren added: “As this is my first opportunity to experience a European Maccabi Games I cannot wait to get started. We are really excited to go through the process we went through in the build-up to Israel last year and I really want to give the players a sporting and cultural experience that will stay with them forever, like it did for me as a Junior in 1997. The excitement and thrill that came from the Futsal court in Israel was immense, every game had a full stadium and the noise was electric – I would encourage any young, Jewish Futsal player to apply.”

Speaking about the recruitment for the squad, Myers said: “We will be starting the trial process in May, where we will be looking for boys from both the North and South of the country who have the necessary creative and technical ability needed for Futsal. More importantly, we want them to buy into the team spirit and togetherness required. Most of all, we will be looking to build a squad who will take pride in representing British Jewry at an International Games.”