We catch up with Rafi Saville after leading the first ever Maccabi GB cricket team to win gold.
In a feat that took almost 50 years to achieve, Team GB’s first-ever gold medal in cricket has finally been won at the Maccabiah Games. Taking on the squads of Israel, India, and South Africa, in the role as manager after representing Team GB at the 2017 Maccabi was Leeds-born Rafi Saville, determined to go as far as possible. “South Africa always includes professional players in their team, so we knew it would be a really tough competition. After losing to them at the last Maccabiah Games, I knew I had to push to get the best out of the team to get that gold medal.
“Their manager even sent a message out warning the other teams that they would win the tournament. That was more than enough motivation for us!”
Despite the excitement of representing Team GB once again at the third largest sporting competition in the world, Rafi was sure to keep his head in the game: “From playing at the Maccabiah previously, I knew how much of a massive experience it is to walk out into the opening ceremony in front of 40,000 people.
“This time, the focus was less about the big picture and more about regular team meetings on how to approach each game and getting the right amount of rest in between play. We realised quite quickly that the pitches were quite hard, especially in the intense Israeli heat. The outfield was very slow, meaning we had to take an attritional approach to stay in the game and grow into the competition.
“After taking the time to work out how to play a certain way during the first couple of matches, we were able to adapt our play each time.”
After a challenging selection process of 13 players from over 50 who signed up to be part of the team, Rafi’s winning squad included the talents of some impressive county representatives including Steven Reingold and Matt Feinstein, while Leeds’ Eitan Litvin’s top wicket keeping earned him man of the match during their final victory over South Africa.
“It’s been a privilege leading such a brilliant squad of players, and we’ve all become very close throughout our journey,” said Rafi. “No one cared about their own ego, and we all played for each other.”
Already catching up with some of the team over a game of cricket since the tournament finished, Rafi also hopes to organise a full reunion with the full squad properly again: “We will always remember this moment and share a special bond together over this experience. For Jewish cricketers, being able to represent Great Britain at the Maccabiah is really a once in a generation opportunity and a pinnacle achievement.
“We spent so long planning, practicing, and hoping to win this gold medal. Witnessing it become a reality after all our effort was a proud moment for me, and of course very emotional!”
