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The Year of Student Sport - Seeing The Impact

The YoSS Collective

The Year of Student sport has redefined what being a Jewish student on campus can mean. Sport forms a large part of many Jewish identities and is now vessel for JSocs to help students create bonds and form friendships. JSoc sport teams have brought people together in an unimaginable way, giving students the ability to collaborate on largescale events or campaigns and create supportive and fun social spaces.


With the recent introduction of #JAthletes, for the first time Jewish students competing in sport at a high level are finally being given a platform that allows the community to rally behind and support them.


Hapoel Hyde Park - Jasper van Veen




The YOSS has given me the opportunity to play the sport I love in a competitive position with fellow Jewish students. It has really improved mental health and morale throughout the community, and has given us the amazing to chance to play other Jsocs from around the country and we hope for this to grow bigger and bigger!


Hapoel Hyde Park this semester have created a new culture, in the sense that we have created more than just a football team, as we have pushed to set up more events and bigger events. There has been the creation of a new netball team , and we have the full support of each other, it is more of a family feeling than just social teams. So far, this season has been one of Hapoel’s best, with the main event coming up on the 20th March against Nottingham.



Leeds JSoc Netball - Jake Lanzkron

Sport in Leeds was growing exponentially with the resurgence of Hapoel Hyde Park and increasing demand for a netball team. As a result, a new role was created on the JSoc committee - a Sports Representative - and this was the role I was elected for in December.


Over the winter break, we were successful in establishing our very own JSoc netball team which has begun with a great attitude from the girls as well as a big following already. Their season began slowly with a few defeats but a win just after Purim has really raised morale in the team. There is huge potential for them to continue growing into a really amazing squad. Both the netball and football teams have led to Jewish students being engaged in more Jewish activities and have massively contributed to a more active Jewish student life on Leeds campus.


None of this would have been possible without the Year of Student Sport which has been instrumental in this growth and will continue to see Jewish sport in Leeds develop to its full potential.


Nottingham JSoc Netball - Jenna Morris

Over the last term of Nottingham Jsoc Netball, I have been able to see how much the weekly matches and netball community means to people. Through the integration of different year-groups and different universities (University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent), myself and all the netball girls really do feel part of something special. We have formed a group with a passion for netball (and winning) and are beyond fortunate to be able to represent the Jewish society in the university sports league. The growth in the players netball skills has been phenomenal to watch and as this season comes to an end, I want to say how proud I am of every win, every player of the match and every single team member for all our achievements this year. I speak on behalf on the team when I express my utmost gratitude to Aaron and the year of student sport for giving an unforgettable university experience to so many Jewish students. We can't wait for the rest of the year, our first inter-Jsoc match and continuing our legacy for many more years of Jsoc Netball.


Lenton Orient- Alfie Keene

Jewish students that attend both the university of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent are able to play football due to the support of UJS and Maccabi GB. Not only does the funding allow students to not worry about the costs of kits and other playing fees, it brings Jewish students from all other the country together, creating a real sense of community within the city. Without the funding, many Jewish students may find it hard to find their feet in the city, but with the football team, students instantly feel connected.


Going ahead into the big match on Monday, the team has bonded well together with good preparation in our training sessions. With a clear style of play and plan ahead, the boys are confident they can come to Leeds and get the job done.


Despite it being our first time playing as an 11 together, the boys have trained like they have been playing together for years.


Jewventus - Shalom Treblow

Student Sport brings people from all backgrounds together. In our team Jewventus (the Manchester Jsoc men's football team) we have players ranging from completely secular to ultra-orthodox backgrounds allowing unlikely and unique friendships to bloom. Additionally playing football every Sunday morning gives the weekends structure and leads to healthier lives with less drinking and more exercise.


Maccabi Selly Oak - Marc Smith

The Year of Student Sport is an incredible opportunity, giving numerous Jewish students the chance to be involved within sports. As Maccabi Selly Oak's manager, I've witnessed first-hand improvements regarding both individual and team performance. Being a part of a Jewish sports team can provide support, friendship, and also invaluable team-work skills.


This season has been a real success for Selly Oak. After winning the title last season, gaining promotion. Competing in Division 1 Campus League has been a difficult challenge. Nevertheless, the Selly boys beat last season's Division 1 champions, inflicting their first loss in a year. The 1-0 victory embodied what's special about this team.


But across both seasons, the highlight was beating Hapoel Hyde Park in oue charity match on penalties. The passion displayed in the Inter- University game stayed with the players, helping us to a title for the Selly Trophy Cabinet. #uptheoaks



Sport has become a prevalent part of Jewish life on campus and in the coming months

we have more and more teams forming and new JSocs joining the movement! I hope that the opportunities available for students continues to grow from here. To follow what comes next and stay up to date with our teams and #JAthletes, follow @yearofstudentsport on Instagram.

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