My Emek – Issue 21: Updates on What We've Been Up To

My Emek

Updates on what we've been up to

2/10

Bowing out of the Winner Cup – after the win over Maccabi Ramat Gan, the side lost to Galil Elyon and to Ironi Kiryat Ata, and in its final match, for ninth place, met Maccabi Rishon LeZion, whom it beat 80-59. Owing to the refurbishment work at the arena, two of our home games were played in Kiryat Ata (and one more at Gan Ner behind closed doors). We apologise for the inconvenience – we'll be back in the stands at the Haim Ohayon Arena before you know it!

Sorting out the 'book' for the new season – as every year, the players turned up for the season's 'media day', during which they were photographed and filmed and took part in shooting content for the club's social media channels.

Happy New Year – on Friday, the eve of Rosh Hashanah, we gathered for a toast in honour of the new year, at which owner Gideon Yadin and director of basketball Yonatan Alon both spoke. To finish, we raised a glass and wished one another, and the club as a whole, a good and successful year.

An evening of team spirit and good taste – members of the Valley Business Club came to the Ma'ayan Harod National Park for a season-opening evening, where a 'MasterChef' outdoor cooking workshop awaited them, sponsored by the Tzukim company. The Valley members enjoyed the experience, the competitive edge, the camaraderie and the chance to meet both familiar faces and new ones.

Giving the youth department's coaching staff the tools they need – as part of our youth department's coaching course, the club's director of basketball, Yonatan Alon, and our sports psychologist, Lior Lifshitz, came along and delivered fascinating talks to the coaches in their respective fields.

An episode about connection, unity and a promising future – to mark the exciting merger of the Gilboa/Ma'ayanot and Hapoel Afula youth departments, the heads of Hapoel HaEmek's youth department, Liran Vinkur and Yossi Malka, sat down for a joint interview on our podcast, hosted by Mor Arbel. Well worth a listen – links on our social media channels and on the website!

Wonderful news from the younger generation – terrific results for two of our youth department sides at the Tel Aviv tournament, with the Under-16 girls reaching the final and finishing as runners-up, and the Under-18 side beating Ness Ziona in the final to win the tournament for the first time in its history. Eshel Levental, who this season is combining the youth team with the senior squad, was named MVP.

*The league is almost upon us!

The fixture list and the dates of the first three rounds have already been published, and we'll open the season with an away game on 11.10 in Kiryat Ata, followed by two consecutive home games – against Maccabi Rishon LeZion (19.10) and Ness Ziona (25.10).

We're very much looking forward to seeing you alongside us in the stands :-)