All across the world International Women’s Day is being celebrated with one of it’s main goals being to continue to raise awareness for equal rights amongst the genders, as there are still many places that this is unfortunately not the case. To mark this special day, we spoke to four women with critical roles in the success of Maccabi Tel Aviv who discussed their thoughts on the importance of the work that they do day in and day out for the leading football club in Israel.
Sharon Tammam
What is your role at Maccabi?
“I’m the Commercial Director. There’s never a dull moment.”
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
“I grew up in Italy and the tradition was to give out yellow flowers on Women’s Day so it’s pretty nice that I can now connect that with Maccabi. But seriously, I think it’s extremely important that during one week every year we look at women’s rights and the gaps that still exist between the genders with the hope that there will eventually be equal rights for all in various areas. Without a doubt, it’s still very sad that women are still fighting for equality.”
There is a stigma that the football is part of the man’s world. Do you feel that this barrier has been broken?
“It’s certainly a world in which men are very dominant with big egos. Being a woman in some cases is helpful, however on the other hand it sometimes demands me to be very assertive where I’ll put aside my ego in order to make the other side feel that they’ve won. There’s no question that women can bring a tremendous amount to the table in this world.”
Did you have a female role model that inspired you?
“It’s hard to just choose one role model that was inspirational to me. However, if I had to pick one it would be a very good friend of mine, Yael. We met when we were studying in University in Jerusalem and I connected with her right away due to her smile and optimism and it was just after our meeting that I found out that she had gone through a very difficult period of time. Her life was not easy, but she always knew how to contribute with her tremendous strength and determination, always with a big smile on her face. We may live in different countries but our friendship remained strong to this day and every conversation we have gives me strength and inspiration to continue on.”
Let’s finish off with something easy. What position would you play on the pitch and why?
“Instinctively I would answer striker but if I think about it a bit I would say midfielder. Alberman’s role, managing the center of the pitch and the match itself.”
Dr. Michal Goldwirth
What is your role at Maccabi?
“I have been the Club’s doctor over the past 6 seasons and I’m responsible for the team’s medical staff.”
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
“I think it’s sad that we need to mark this day. Just like Mother’s Day became Family Day, Women’s Day would become Person’s Day. However, I do understand the goals of the day and why there is a day to give more attention to women.”
There is a stigma that the football is part of the man’s world. Do you feel that this barrier has been broken?
“This day at Maccabi is really not relevant. We have a professional environment and the choices are not made due to gender but due to qualification. Unfortunately, there is still an outdated and old school mentality towards women – I’m the only woman in this role in the country.”
Did you have a female role model that inspired you?
“I always knew that this is what I wanted to do, to be a doctor in the football world. I can say that Dr. Hagar Patish z”l was the first person to lead the way for others in this field. She was the Ironi Rishon Le’Zion doctor even before I entered football. I began in 2000 and there are still many people that remember me as the Maccabi Netanya doctor.”
What position would you play on the pitch and why?
“I would want to be a playmaker just behind the striker. Why? Because I’m not great at listening to orders and I have a very independent side to me. I want to be able to do what I want to on the pitch.”
Yael Margalit
What is your role at Maccabi?
“Lawyer and legal advisor.”
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
“For me women’s day is just a regular day. There’s no question that there are gaps between the sexes in equality and we are still living in world where men earn more than women in the same roles, where they are still discriminated against, but I don’t think that Women’s Day really helps out. I believe that this should come conceptually and the more that we distinguish and dedicate a day for women and there is not a day for men, women can’t really move forward. Women, who expect recognition on Women’s Day only, are just damaging all of us.”
There is a stigma that the football is part of the man’s world. Do you feel that this barrier has been broken?
“Before I became a lawyer, I was working as a sports reporter that dealt with primarily men’s sports, so I’ve already been involved in this area for many years. This conversation comes up very often and I’ve got to admit that I don’t think I’ve broken a glass ceiling. I feel that I’m treated with respect regardless of the fact that I am a woman in a man’s world because of my work and that I’m part of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club. People work here because they are good at what they do and not because of their gender.”
Did you have a female role model that inspired you?
“Ofira Assayag, who was my boss for more than five years taught me how to be assertive and about the power of being a woman. My grandmother from my mother’s side was a very independent and courageous in times when it was almost impossible to be. She taught me about true feminism without having to talk about it or by using the word itself and without having to make a lot of noise, just because of the way she lived her life. My mother is also an inspiration as both a woman and a mother.”
What position would you play on the pitch and why?
“I’m a lefty but both of my legs are equally powerful, so I think I’d make an excellent left side midfielder.”
Dana Nisinboim
What is your role at Maccabi?
“I’m the Under-10 coach and assistant coach of the Under-13 squad.”
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
“This is a reminder of the discrimination against women over the last generations and now since we are the next generation of women, can have hope and optimism. We are now demonstrating how strong we are and that we have the ability to go far, break the glass ceiling and work in the top positions in any industry regardless of our gender. If it was decided that there should be a special day, then we rightly deserved this day because we are special.”
There is a stigma that the football is part of the man’s world. Do you feel that this barrier has been broken?
“There’s always going to be stigma in any place, but these stigmas are there because of inaccuracies and distortions of the truth. Therefore we need to know what to keep with us and take to heart and what not. I’m a woman, female, playing football and I’m a coach of a football team full of boys; that’s my job. I think that I’ve broken down a barrier that has existed and I know exactly why. To me it’s obvious; I have the desire and drive to show that even though I’m a woman. It doesn’t mean I know any less about football and thankfully I feel a tremendous amount of confidence on the pitch and I’m appreciated amongst the coaches. Being a woman on the field of play is an added value and can help out the more sensitive children by having a maternal role model when it’s a time when it has to be serious, rigorous and full of determination”.
Did you have a female role model that inspired you?
“There’s no one individual person that inspires me as all of the women who were trailblazers are an inspiration to me. One example is Alice Miller who petitioned the high court to allow women to enroll in aviation courses. Another person from the football world is Silvia Jean, who was the first female to play abroad and who has worked very hard promoting women’s football in Israel.”
What position would you play on the pitch and why?
“Striker. It’s the position that I play. It’s a role that requires a lot of nerve, chutzpah and to know where to be at the right time. Of course there’s nothing like scoring a goal or assisting on one of your teammates markers.”
