World Footy News

With a little less than 24 hours before boarding a flight from Israel to get to Croatia and, specifically Umag, the manager of the new Peace Team was happy to have a short conversation and give details about the newest national team entering the Euro Cup for 2015’s tournament.

Yonatan Belik, as manager, is in arguably the best position to detail the rise of the team, as well as answering a few questions about the past, present and future and an assessment of the team’s chances in Umag.

The first question looked at the national makeup of the squad, in particular the unique criteria or otherwise relating to selection. According to Yonatan, “The Peace Team Lions are made up of two major nationalities - Israeli and Palestinian - who represent their communities in a 50/50 balance within the team. All Israelis are Jews from birth, whilst the Palestinians are made up of Christians and Muslims." Within the Palestinians there are some who live in Israel and have Israeli citizenships ("Arab 48'ers"), and Palestinians who are residents of Jerusalem who aren't citizens of the state of Israel. The Peace Team has no West Bank Palestinians at this stage.”

“The Criteria for selection was based on commitment to the team, to Footy (which was developed over time) their national background (ensuring 50/50 balance) and most of all commitment to engaging with the "other side".”

When asked whether the implication of a “peace” team was to bring together, Yonatan was emphatic. “Without a doubt we are 'bringing together'. Jerusalem may be de Jure a "United city" but in reality there are two if not three worlds that are almost segregated (including the Ultra Orthodox Jews). Most of our players study in the Hebrew University where all three worlds mix but only in the classroom. Outside and extra curricular activities are almost completely apart.”

“Our Peace Team challenges such a status quo and offers an opportunity for all humans to unite under the umbrella of the Sherrin ball. It's truly incredible and gutsy.”

Yonatan has an interesting outlook on the team’s chances at this event. “After competing in two International Cups in Australia, history has indicated that we usually battle for the upper side of the bottom group. This year we may be able to break through this glass ceiling. It will come down to two things. Our courage and concentration. I believe that when all players understand their role in the big picture, meaning who we are representing and the message we are sending to our people and the world, it will be hard to physically stop us.”

This led directly to the conversation about the actual collective Australian Rules football experience in the team. Yonatan explained, “let's just say that having a sport where all players are levelled from the 'get go' it's an amazing platform for building real cooperation, trust and unification in any team, specifically the Peace Team.”

In closing, Yonatan added some thoughts about the future of the game with regard to the Peace Team and the nations represented. “We have a leadership team which is committed to having this current Jerusalem Peace Team continue and grow in the next year, with a vision of hosting the AFL Cup in Jerusalem in five years. We believe Footy is a fantastic option for an aggressive environment like ours. A place where one can take out his/her frustration, be respected for his/her effort and be treated as an equal human. Footy may be an answer, and our quest has only begun.”

The Peace Team represents so much more than a footy team or a sporting team. It is a bringing together, through a sport, of beliefs, ideals, religions, cultures and, above all, people through a uniting cause. Regardless of the outcome at the Euro Cup all those involved, either as players, spectators or interested casual readers, will benefit enormously from their involvement.

But I suspect, judging by Yonatan’s views, that the Peace Team may also have some footy surprises up their sleeves.

World peace has always been a difficult road to travel, and a long journey that is seemingly without end. But this Peace Team is certainly walking that road and it is to be hoped that many people, inspired by their deeds, will take that long walk also.