Maccabi GB’s Inter-School Sports tournaments are fast becoming a staple diet of the community’s school’s weekly timetable.

Having been held for nearly 30 years, as this calendar years comes to an end, the tournaments have seen impressive success, with many achievements to reflect on and exciting plans to look ahead to for the future.

So far in this academic year, a total of 12 tournaments have been held covering four different sports. As Maccabi GB’s Sports Coordinator Alex Pereira explains: “These tournaments have attracted widespread participation, creating valuable opportunities for students to come together and compete in a vibrant, inclusive environment. An additional 19 tournaments are already planned for the months ahead, promising even more chances for students to engage in sports and foster a sense of community.”

The numbers the tournaments have attracted are quite remarkable. Since the start of the academic year, 136 teams have taken part, meaning a total of 1,255 pupils have participated. The most recent one – held last Wednesday –saw 70 girls from five different schools compete in the Year 4 girls football tournament, where Sacks Morasha came out on top, defeating North West London Jewish Day School 2-1 in a closely-fought final.

Pereira says: “These figures highlight the growing interest and excitement surrounding these events. The tournaments provide a fantastic platform for students from various Jewish schools to come together, compete, and form lasting connections beyond the classroom.”

Understandably, the response to the tournaments has been overwhelmingly positive, from schools, teachers, parents and students. “All of us at Maccabi GB are thrilled with how the events have been staged”, Pereira says”. “It’s especially gratifying to see students interacting with their peers from other schools, building friendships, and experiencing the joy of friendly competition.

“Many have expressed a desire for additional tournaments and competitions, with pupils especially eager to get involved and compete in more events. This level of enthusiasm underscores the significance of these tournaments in the lives of students and the broader school community. Teachers and parents alike are grateful for the opportunity to be part of something that promotes physical activity, teamwork, and camaraderie among Jewish schools.

“The success of these tournaments lies not only in the quality of the sporting events themselves, but also in the way they bring Jewish students together from different backgrounds.”

When Maccabi GB planned to set the tournaments up, the goal was clear – to provide as many opportunities as possible for Jewish students, both in primary and secondary schools, to compete in various sports. Pereira explains: “This initiative is firmly rooted in the belief that engaging in sports can enrich students’ lives, promote teamwork, and encourage healthy competition. So far, the tournaments have lived up to this vision, and we are optimistic that they will continue to meet this objective in the years to come.”

As to what the plan is for the future, Pereira says: “To continue offering the same high-quality tournaments in the second and third terms of the academic year. With 19 more tournaments already scheduled, we are committed to providing even more opportunities for students to compete and enjoy sports.

“In addition to continuing with the current sports, discussions with schools are underway to explore the possibility of introducing new sports to the tournament lineup. This ongoing dialogue ensures that the tournaments remain fresh, engaging, and responsive to the evolving interests of the participating schools.

“The Jewish schools’ sports tournaments have been a resounding success, bringing students together, fostering a sense of community, and providing valuable opportunities for competition and personal growth. With more tournaments planned and a potential expansion into new sports, the future looks bright for these events, and the organisers are excited to continue offering these enriching experiences for Jewish students.”