Voice of Jewish Sport

AND SO another season of Jewish football is over. A season which has seen three deserving league champions in North London Raiders A, Woodford Wanderers and Scrabble. The former made history by securing a first ever double-double, and were 90 minutes away from winning their first ever treble, only to be denied by the only team to have achieved it – Hendon A. Both teams will go again next season, though both will have to do it with a different set of managers. Other losses to the league saw several sides fold, including one of the biggest teams in the history of Jewish football, Faithfold A. Mid-season saw what many think represented a make-or-break moment when concerned players, managers and members of the League Committee met to discuss the future of Jewish football. Ideas were put forward, suggestions made, we still await action. The final game of the season took place on Sunday when Redbridge B beat North London Masters B to win the MGBSFL/Masters Invitation Trophy. All that’s left now is for the end of season awards evening, which takes place in a couple of weeks’ time, where we will honour and recognise those who lit up another dramatic and entertaining season.

IF ISRAELI athletes needed any further incentive to win gold at the Rio Olympics, they may well have got it with news that the Olympic Committee of Israel has said every Israeli gold medal winner will be awarded a NIS 500,000 (£90,000) bonus, as well as an apartment worth NIS 1,000,000 (£180,000) from one of the OCI’s sponsors. With the athlete’s coach also benefitting financially, as well as athletes who win silver and bronze, there will even be performance bonuses for those who finish between 4th and 12th place. Perhaps Rio will see Israel add to their all-time record Olympic medal haul of seven.