Champs Set To Quit Maccabi Cricket

Wednesday 25th November 2009


The future of Jewish cricket was called into question this week after the champions MAL declared their intention to withdraw from the league.

MAL, winners of the Maccabi title in 2008 and 2009, are expected to accept an invitation to play in the Middlesex County League from next season. If the club does withdraw, it will leave the Maccabi League severely weakened with only four clubs - Southgate, Casual Nomads, Belmont and Edgware and Chigwell.
Speaking at the league's AGM in Hendon on Monday night, MAL's Mark Landau said: "We are very proud of Jewish cricket and want to safeguard its future. But after winning back-to-back titles, most of our players are now looking for a bigger challenge."

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League chairman Richard Mitchell announced a host of new initiatives at the meeting aimed at encouraging more people to play Jewish cricket and strengthening the Maccabi Cricket League. They include a new competition, funded by Barratts Shoes, open to synagogues and charity organisations across the country, a club of excellence for the top players to compete together in the build up to the Maccabiah Games in 2013, the reintroduction of an annual 20/20 competition and an umpires training course led by former England Test match player Jack Hampshire.

London Maccabi Vale, one of the clubs whom have dropped out of Jewish cricket over the years, have unveiled an ambitious three-year plan participating in the proposed redevelopment of its Rowley Lane ground that features new outdoor nets.

The blueprint was presented at the club's AGM where Adam Brand was appointed first team captain.

Brand, 38, was appointed at the club's AGM where he won the club's Player of the Year.

Aviel Schwarz claimed the Most Improved Player award with Maccabiah starlet Joseph Greenwall-Cohen taking the top colt accolade. Jonathan Lederman received the Alan Shapiro Award for services to the club.

After being re-elected club chairman, Terry Hyman was elevated to Honorary Vice-President.

Reflecting on a campaign when the first team were relegated from the Middlesex Sunday League Division One, Hyman commented: "This has been one of the most challenging years in the club's history due to availability issues surrounding the Maccabiah Games at which we were strongly represented. However, our flourishing colts set-up gives me great hope and belief for a healthy future."

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