Daniel Collins leads his Team Maccabi GB stars to Berlin this week declaring “win medals at the European Maccabi Games and change your lives forever”.
The GB Head of Delegation says there is an overriding feeling of excitement ahead of the largest ever gathering of Jewish athletes in Germany.
The majority of the 253 squad will travel on Sunday with British athletes looking to impress in a range of sports,
including futsal, tennis, golf, table tennis, swimming and golf.
TMGB brought home 69 medals from the 2011 EMG in Vienna, including gold in the Open football competition. Wingate & Finchley’s Joe Sharpe features in the squad looking to retain the title.
Collins said: “We’re extremely well prepared and are sending by far our largest delegation to the event.
"The emphasis this time is to get young people involved who haven’t experienced an EMG before and the mood is very positive.”
Q & A WITH TEAM MACCABI GB HEAD OF DELEGATION - DAN COLLINS
How well prepared is the delegation?
We’re extremely well prepared and are sending by far our largest delegation to a European Maccabi Games. The fact these Games are being held in Germany has a big appeal, and we’ve been oversubscribed in every category in tennis. The whole theme this time is to get young people involved who haven’t experienced an EMG before. Our preparations began as soon as the 2013 Maccabiah Games finished. We’re a professional organisation and started planning early. We had our management finalised by the end of 2013 and many of the squads have been bonding for a year. They have put in an unbelievable amount of training. Most have been preparing two to three times a week, with some training at St George’s Park and Lilleshall (football), Stoke Park (tennis) and the Olympic Park (swimming).
What is the mood like in the camp?
Very excited. The mood is positive and we’re really looking forward to the Games. We’re ready to get out there now. Everything in pre-camp will be geared towards commemorating the Jewish journey in Berlin — past and present. They want to show us how thriving the Jewish community in Germany is now. I think there’s a good balance of a memorial before the Games followed by the enjoyment of sport.
Which aspects of the trip are you most looking forward to?
Leading the delegation into the Opening Ceremony will be very special. There are so many positive aspects, as well as, hopefully, winning some medals and the sport. It will be a great overall experience.
How fortunate would you say the GB athletes are to be part of this squad?
They are really fortunate to be part of a significant gathering that is making history by competing at the first Jewish Games in Germany. The Games also have the support of the German government. Vienna 2011 was historic, but this will be another step up. We’ll be in the same Olympic Stadium where Jesse Owens stood up to racism, so these Games will be hard to surpass.
How important is it that TMGB athletes conduct themselves properly on and off the pitch?
It’s of major importance as we’re going to Berlin to represent our Jewish community, as well as family and friends from Great Britain, so we have a tradition to uphold with our hosts, competitors and own athletes. Our delegation has been selected carefully; we don’t always only choose the best. We want individuals who are aware what they are part of.
Have you set the squad any particular targets?
Sports-wise, no. You never know what you’re going to get at the Euros in terms of standard. We have a good squad and will do our best. Our policy has been to get new people involved in the Games,
especially given the number of countries attending.
Where do our best medal hopes lie?
I firmly believe all age groups are capable of picking up medals. We’re traditionally strong in football and I expect everyone to do well. It’s very hard to predict how we’ll fare in some of the other sports but I’m confident we can maintain our strong traditions in table tennis and youth swimming. I’m also hoping to see an improvement in futsal.
What would you like each athlete to take away from the Games?
A fantastic experience and that they come home not only with a medal but also new Jewish friends from around the world. I want them to enjoy the experience of learning about Berlin and Germany. All athletes will be based in the same hotel for the first time so it promises to be a wonderful social experience.
EMG FACTFILE
* GB delegation: 253 athletes
* Athletes overall: 2,400
* Countries: 38 (including guest delegations from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, Mexico, South Africa, USA)
* Sports: 20
* Cost of sending GB delegation to EMG: £750,000
* Overall security cost of the Games: €800,000
