SAMANTHA BERK APPOINTED HEAD COACH OF THE JUNIORS GIRLS’ FIELD HOCKEY TEAM FOR THE 14TH PAN AMERICAN MACCABI GAMES
Philadelphia, PA, February 22, 2019 – Tonja Magerman, Field Hockey Chair for the 2019 Pan American Maccabi Games, is pleased to announce the appointment of Samantha Berk as Head Coach of the Juniors Girls’ Field Hockey Team for the 14th Pan American Maccabi Games. The Games will take place July 5-15, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. Berk is an alumnus of Maccabi USA, having been a member of the Open Women’s Field Hockey Team in 2015.
“I had an incredible experience participating in the 2015 Pan American Maccabi Games” said Berk. “The opportunity to play internationally was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced up to that point in my career. It was an amazing honor to play with likeminded individuals who shared my passion for the sport of field hockey. I am excited to transition from player to coach and work the Junior level, for they are the future of this program! As the Head Coach of the Juniors Field Hockey Team, I cannot wait to share my knowledge for the sport and bring players together to represent Team USA.”
Berk is the current Head Varsity Girls Field Hockey and Lacrosse Coach at Cranford High School in Cranford, NJ. Prior to coaching, she played as a Midfielder/Defender at The College of New Jersey from 2010-2012. She was part of the National Championship Team for the NCAA Division 3 Competition in 2012, was a 4-year Varsity High School starter, and team member of Total Dutch Select based out of Somerset, NJ from 2007-2010. In addition to field hockey, she is a Certified L-1 CrossFit Teacher and Middle School Art Teacher.
The Pan American Maccabi Games are a high-level athletic competition for Jewish athletes all over the world aimed at connecting Jews from the Diaspora. They are hosted by the Confederacion Latinoamericana Maccabi (CLAM) and conducted in cooperation with Maccabi World Union. They are held every four years, two years after the Maccabiah is held.
There is still time to apply for the Field Hockey Team at the 14th Pan American Maccabi Games in the Juniors Division (birth years 2002-2004). Eligible applicants should visit maccabiusa.com to apply.
For more information, please contact Program Director Shane Carr at scarr@maccabiusa.com or 215.561.6900.
About the organization:
Maccabi USA (MUSA) is a federally-recognized not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Organization with an extensive history of enriching Jewish lives through athletic, cultural and educational programs. The Organization is the official sponsor of the United States Team to the World Maccabiah Games, and the Pan American and European Maccabi Games, as well as a sponsor of the JCC Maccabi Games for teens in North America. As the official Maccabi representative in the U.S., Maccabi USA supports Jewish athletic endeavors, enhanced by cultural and educational activities in the United States, Israel and throughout the Diaspora.
MUSA develops, promotes and supports international, national and regional athletic-based activities and facilities. It strives to provide Jewish athletes all over the world the opportunity to share their heritage and customs in competitive athletic settings. MUSA supports programs that embody the Maccabi ideals of Jewish Continuity, Zionism and Excellence in Sport. Maccabi USA Builds Jewish Pride Through Sports.
Maccabi USA is a U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Multi-Sport Organization (MSO). The Organization is one of 38 MSOs nationwide to be recognized by the USOC for its ability to cultivate a national interest in sport and increase opportunities for participation internationally, nationally and at the grassroots level, and is rated as a four-star non-profit by Charity Navigator.
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