Celebrating Our 2025 Maccabi Victoria AGM Award Recipients

Each year, Maccabi Victoria recognises individuals who give their time, energy and heart to keeping our community moving. This year’s recipients reflect what Maccabi is built on: people who see a need, step up and stay committed long after the spotlight fades.

Len Bogatin Award: Eytan Epstein

Maccabi AJAX Senior Cricket Club

Eytan’s connection to Maccabi Ajax Cricket Club stretches back twelve years, when he first played in the 2013–14 season. His leadership was recognised early, becoming captain of the Second XI in 2016–17.
Since joining the committee in 2019, he has taken on a wide mix of roles: supporting the finance team with grants and accounts, helping with player selection, and eventually becoming club secretary in 2021.

Eytan manages registrations, keeps communication flowing, and sends a detailed weekly update to players, alumni, sponsors and supporters. It’s the kind of consistent work that keeps a club connected and informed.
Beyond administration, he volunteers at every level of club life: ground setup, gear, umpiring, working with councils and associations, and helping run social events. He is also known for making sure subscriptions are organised and payment plans sorted in a fair and respectful way.
Eytan’s calm, diplomatic approach helps keep the club running smoothly, and this award recognises his long-term dedication to the Maccabi Ajax community.

Jacquie Lerner Next Gen Volunteer Award: Zev Aron

AJAX Senior Football Club

Zev’s story is one of determination and community vision. After ageing out of the Ajax Juniors, he — like many Shomer Shabbat players — had no way to continue in the senior program due to Saturday games. Instead of accepting that gap, Zev set out to fix it.

In 2013, after countless setbacks and knockbacks, Zev achieved what many thought impossible: he established an AJAX Sunday Thirds team, with the VAFA agreeing to fixture all their matches on Sundays. This created a genuine pathway for religious Jewish players to stay in the sport they love.

Under Zev’s leadership, the program has grown from a single team to two strong squads, with around 80 registered players in 2025 and the realistic prospect of a third team next year. His teams have reached five preliminary finals and a grand final in 2025, but the bigger achievement is the sense of belonging he has built for players who previously had no place in the senior system.

Zev’s commitment, persistence and belief in community sport make him a deserving recipient of the Next Gen Award.

Presidents’ Award: Adam and Angie Hoppe & Nicola Caras

Maccabi Pickleball Club

Adam, Angie and Nicola have been the driving force behind one of Maccabi’s newest and fastest-growing clubs: Maccabi Pickleball. What started as a fresh idea has quickly become a thriving hub of activity, thanks to their shared energy, organisation and genuine enthusiasm for getting people involved.

They have built the club from the ground up, creating a welcoming space that caters to beginners through to seasoned players. Their work has placed Pickleball firmly on the Maccabi map, and it is already one of the most in-demand sports for the upcoming Maccabi Junior Carnival in January.

The trio’s teamwork, vision and dedication have shaped a club that has become a standout success story in a short time, and their awards recognise the impact they have already made.

These recipients remind us that Maccabi thrives because people care enough to give their time, lead with purpose and build spaces for others. Their contributions strengthen our community and keep our sporting pathways open, inclusive and vibrant.