Family feel as Goldies win title

TOUCH footy is a game that suits all the family – and the Maccabi Goldies team proves it. The eldest members of the team have played together for about 30 years, going back to when Maccabi NSW Touch Club started in 1993. They’ve made the Easts Touch Football Association’s mixed summer season finals series countless times, and often finished runners-up. Boosted by an influx of youth – including children of the more established members of the team – the Maccabi Goldies reached new heights this summer, remaining undefeated all season, including in the grand final, which they won by 9-2 against Monday Meatloaf on February 20 at Queens Park. Their try-scorers in the decider were Jeremy Benjamin, Robbie Benjamin and Josh Seifman. Team manager and member Bec Joseph said, “Many in our team have played for so long together, that we can read each other’s next plays and moves. “And in the last few years, many of our players’ kids have joined our team, giving it a great mix of experience and speed. “They are in their teens, and their parents played touch footy together since they were all teens … so this team really feels like family.” The youngest player in the starting squad is 12-year-old Micah Shields, who had a fine debut season, while Bec’s son, 11-yearold Gerry Joseph, played in a few matches. Bec first played for the team when she was 12. Team members are: Bec Joseph,  Gerry Joseph, Tam and Adam Seifman and their kids Matthew and Josh, Shosh and Richards Shields and their kids Daniel and Micah, brothers Ben and Dave Goot, Sid Benjamin and his kids Robbie, Jeremy and Zoe, and Steve Linker.

Credit AJN