The team was officially established only three years ago and has nearly 50 athletes, a third of whom come from 12 different countries. They already have their own song, won an international cup for inclusive teams, and are led by one of the league’s most experienced coaches. Orlando Arellano, president of Tel Aviv’s IBEX team: ‘We’ve had an incredible journey so far, and we’re ready to play in the league.’
At the Tel Aviv Sportek, you can encounter quite a few sports, but if there’s one sport that steals the show, at least twice a week, it’s rugby.
The new addition to the Men’s League joins with the highest number of registered players. “Word about us has spread all over Tel Aviv,” laughs Arellano (39), president of IBEX, Israel’s first inclusive team. “We started three years ago with eight trainees, and now we’re almost 50 people—it’s crazy.”
IBEX is remarkable in every way—a third of its members come from 12 different countries, including the USA, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Ireland, and France. They already have their own song, traditions they’ve adopted, and even an international trophy won at the BINHAM CUP tournament in Rome.
IBEX is amazing in every way—a third of its members come from 12 different countries, from the USA to Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Ireland, and France. They already have their own song, adopted traditions, and even an international trophy won at the BINHAM CUP tournament in Rome.
Matthew Winard (40), the team’s vice president, shares: “In the first two years, we knew we weren’t ready. In the third year, we were ready, but then the war broke out. We’re excited and thrilled to start in the league; we’ve trained very hard. For some of us, it’s the first time in a rugby league, so people don’t know what to expect, but I think with our training on and off the field, we’re ready.”
In May this year, the team flew to Rome to compete in an international rugby tournament for inclusive teams. This competition is held every two years, and this time, it was relatively close to Israel. Team IBEX was ranked at level 3, competed against similarly ranked teams, and won against all of them. “It doesn’t happen often that a team arrives for the first time and wins a trophy,” Matthew says proudly. “It was a pleasant surprise.”
Ahead of their first league game on November 2, which coincidentally is a derby against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Orlando shares: “We’re the new kids on the block. Many of us are excited, but some are a bit apprehensive—it might be somewhat intimidating. We try to keep everything positive, embrace the values of rugby, and bring that to our community. We’ve had an incredible journey so far, and we’re ready to play in the league.”
“We’re the new kids on the block. Many of us are excited, though some feel a bit nervous—it can be somewhat intimidating. We’re doing our best to keep everything positive, embrace the values of rugby, and bring that to our community. We’re coming into the league with our own energy.”
o ensure the best possible integration into the league, the team brought on Jeremy Shauder, one of the most experienced rugby professionals in the country. “Jeremy is amazing; he’s more than just a coach to us,” emphasizes Orlando. “We really love him—he’s a significant part of our team, a mentor. He came with us to Rome and led us to victory.”
“We went through an incredible process, much of it thanks to Jeremy and the experience he brought with him—not only as a coach but also as a referee who knows the rules and tactics inside out. We grew a lot because of him as a club that represents something. One of the biggest compliments we received from him was when he said that if he could go back in time, he’d be happy to play on a team like ours because of our approach.” Jeremy returns the praise: “Two years ago, I came to one of their practices, and I saw enthusiasm and positive energy on the field, and I loved it. I immediately said I wanted to take on this role.”
“Jeremy (Shauder) is amazing; he’s more than just a coach to us,” emphasizes Orlando. “We really love him—he’s a significant part of our team, a mentor. We’ve grown a lot because of him.”
Orlando reflects: “It’s about the community here. People are searching for themselves; some know what it feels like not to fit in, and they wanted a place to express themselves. Rugby offers that space to meet their needs. You can come in with no prior knowledge and train with rugby players—it’s pretty wild. Some came with experience in handball, water polo, and judo, while others had played rugby before. We tried to create a positive, family-like community with rugby values, and it’s magical. After practice, we go out for burgers and beers; we have many shared social events.”
Orlando and Matthew immigrated to Israel from the U.S. Matthew played rugby on an amateur team in New York, while for Orlando, it was an entirely new sport. In fact, many of the players on the team joined with no rugby background, and some had never participated in sports before.
Matthew adds: “Most of my friends are from the team. We have parties, and we created our own song. For the new recruits (rookies), we have an initiation ceremony, and for those who stay, there’s a crowning ceremony. We’re coming into the league with our own energy.”
“Many of the players on the team came in with no rugby background; some had never been involved in sports at all. Orlando recalls: ‘It’s connected to the community here. People are searching for themselves; some know what it feels like not to fit in, and they wanted a place to express themselves. Rugby is that kind of place that meets their needs. It’s magical.'”
