This past year saw the ILAN – Israel Association for Children with Disabilities create the “HaKatlanim” football team made up of physically challenged children who play the game we all love and fulfill a dream.

A group of volunteers who work with the team and train the children were in touch with the Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club Foundation and were invited to the PenguinPickUp Training Ground at Kiryat Shalom. The emotional visit began with a talk by Foundation Head Yuval Shaham and the coach of “HaKatlanim”. The children then met the players and received Maccabi kits as they held a joint training session with the Maccabi stars.

Foundation Director Yuval Shaham spoke about the program: “The Maccabi Foundation and the Club are happy to host this special team of children. They are role models for all of us and their ability to play the game that we all love despite their challenges gives us all a tremendous amount of inspiration.

The coach of “HaKatlanim” Ben Rahav said: “In the name of all of the children I want to thank the Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club Foundation and on this exceptional event. The sensitivity and care shown by members of the Foundation including Yuval Shaham and Assaf Shemesh together with the players gave the children and their families great joy and motivation to continue to play football and to not feel inferior than any other child.”

After the training, Pizza Prego, one of the Club’s sponsors, provided lunch for the parents and children.

Some of the most wonderful activities that take place during the year are programs that the Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation and Youth Academy team up to take part in. These programs include intimate conversations with first team players, especially those who grew up through the ranks of the Yellow & Blue Youth Academy.

Last Thursday, the Under-16 side had the privilege to hear from Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Dan Glezer who spoke about his career to date including growing up in the Yellow & Blue Youth Academy. he discussed the challenges as a young footballer, the pride in putting on the Maccabi Tel Aviv kit while also giving out day to day tips in becoming better players as their young careers continue.

Maccabi Tel Aviv central defender Eitan Tibi spoke at the Collège des Frères de Jaffa high school about violence and racism at Israeli sports facilities as part of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation programming. The students first watched a video about violence at sports facilities and then took part in a presentation about prevention and how to deal with these types of acts.

Tibi then spoke to the students about how violence and racism directly influences and affects the players and how he along with his teammates are working on preventing these acts and create a positive environment at the stadiums.

He also shared his experiences as a player with both Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Israel national team in terms of camaraderie and friendship between the players who are from the Arab and Jewish sectors and the unity that is created by sports.

Due to the rain expected in Thursday’s weather forecast, the Hanukkah Happening has been moved to Monday December 10th. We hope that you haven’t made plans, because the Hanukkah Tradition continues this year at Kiryat Shalom where parents and children can visit the training facility and play on the activities set up on the synthetic pitch. You’ll also be able to meet the Maccabi stars face to face, get autographs and take pictures with all of your heroes.

The event will begin at 15:00 and fans must be at the facility by 14:30. Registration opens today, Wednesday and is limited to 600 people. Please note, you will not be able to attend if you do not register in advance.

How does it work?
Registration is open today Thursday November 29th to all Maccabi FIRST members for the Community Day on Monday December 10th at 15:00 at the Kiryat Shalom Training Facility, 106 Derech Ben Tzvi and is limited to 600 participants ONLY.
Each person may register up to 3 participants which includes the person submitting the registration. Just like when you make a reservation at a restaurant, you request a table for yourself plus 2 friends for a total of 3 ONLY.
IMPORTANT:
• Following the registration, you’ll receive an email requesting information about the participants.
• If weather conditions don’t permit the Community Day to take place, you will be notified a few hours prior to the event and you’ll be able to participate in the Community Day the following month.
• All participants must arrive at the Kiryat Shalom Training Facility by 14:30. Should you be delayed, you may not be able to participate in the event.
• In order to ensure that all fans meet all of the players, special greeting videos may not be recorded at the Training Facility.
• Following your registration, a Maccabi representative will be in touch with you to get all of the participants necessary details.
Entrance to the Training Facility will be granted only after a full security check. Each participant will need to present their Teudat Tzehut ID Card, License or Passport in order to take part in the event. Entrance will not be granted to those whose names do not appear on the official registration list!
Participants are not allowed to bring with professional photographers or videographers.
For the rules and regulations, please click on the following link.

Just ahead of the Chanukah Holiday and right before the club gets back to league action, six Maccabi Tel Aviv players made sure to find time to do some good deeds. Avi Rikan, Eliran Atar, Eyal Golasa, Dor Micha, Yonatan Cohen and Omer Atzily arrived at the “Dana” Children’s Hospital and met with the children and their families before the Holiday.

About this Saturday’s match against Maccabi Petah Tikva:
“Every match that we play isn’t easy and we always prepare properly as the staff makes sure that we are ready to go.”

The players met with many children throughout the corridors of the hospital and handed out Maccabi shirts, driedels and chocolate money. They also took pictures and spoke to the families giving them strength during their difficult times.