Israel: David Houghton signs as national team coach

Israel's preparations for July's European Cricket Championships in Glasgow, Scotland have been boosted with the appointment of former Zimbabwe coach and captain, David Houghton to the Israeli national coaching position.

Houghton will join the national team in Tel Aviv next month to begin Israeli preparations for the European titles.

Israeli Cricket Association official, Stanley Perlman, said Houghton's role was vital to the future of cricket in Israel.

"The ICA regard the signing of Houghton as having far reaching consequences for the game in Israel," Mr. Perlman said. "He will be taking a special interest in the youth programme in conjunction with the ECDO in London."

On the domestic front, Melitia CC of Malta are currently touring Israel on a week long stay including matches in Ashdod Beersheba and Tel Aviv.

At present, newly promoted Ashdod 'A' are leading Division A. The opening of the league was delayed by two weeks until all the players had complied with Sports Authority regulations compelling every player to have a medical check by authorised medical institutes.

Eight teams comprise Division A - Ashdod 'A', Tel Aviv, Neveh Yonatan, Beersheba 'A', Netanya, Yerucham, Lions Lod (league champions for the past three years) and Ramla.

Seven clubs compete in Division B - Dimona 'A', Dimona 'B', Kiryat Gat, Lions Beersheba, Petah Tikvah, Lod and Young Ashdod.

Such is the level of cricket activity in Israel that over 160 matches are organised and played under the authority of the Israel Cricket Association.

Both divisions are played on a home and away basis. Other competitions include a Friday league for observant players who don't play on the Sabbath, a knock-out competition which usually throws up a bagful of surprises and a winter league, which is played according to the weather.

The League reflects Israeli cricket's geographical spread.

A tour of cities and towns with a cricket presence would start from Raanana in the Sharon area through to Tel Aviv, Ramla Petah Tikvah and Lod.

It is then down the coastline to Ashdod where there are three teams and then a trip down to the Negev where you will you can play in Kiryat Gat (famous from the time of Samson and Delilah) to Beersheba, Dimona and lastly to Yerucham which is a development town in the desert. Travelling time can be up to two hours.

Six teams play at the two grounds of the Israel Athletics Federation at Hadar Yosef in Tel Aviv.

The grounds are resplendent in their beauty and facilities including sauna, showers, gymnasium, restuarant and practice facilities.

The ground in Ashdod resembles an English countryside field with large trees surrounding the field with many bewildered spectators standing in amazement and beholding the sight of cricket in the Middle East.

Further south, diehards play cricket under stark desert conditions.

Having to compete with basketball and soccer is a major obstacle to youth development in Israel.

However, the ICA has appointed a local director, George Scheader, to work in conjunction with the European Cricket Council in London and David Houghton.

At present the ICA has 150-200 children attending weekly coaching sessions supervised by Grade One coaches. During the school holidays, special cricket day camps will be held. Next month, UCBSA coaches, Hershell Gutman and Wayne Meyers, of Green Point CC Cape Town, are arriving to assist in the youth programme.

Cricket in Israel is recognized as an official sport by the Government's Sports Authority. As such the ICA is entitled to government funding and from the proceeds of the Soccer Lottery. All the teams receive allocations as does the ICA.

The Israel Cricket Association welcomes foreign cricket tours to Israel which can be combined with an unforgettable tour of Israel visiting The Western Wall, the Old City of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Nazareth, Sea of Gallilee and the Dead Sea.

The ICA is happy to provide games, food and transport. Any group or club wishing to tour Israel should contact the chairman at israel@cricinfo.com

Thanks: Stanley Perlman