When Guy Gorfil sees his son on the field, he’s filled with excitement. Menachem sometimes plays against his sons and looks for opportunities to tackle them. Offer, on the other hand, shouts, “Dad’s on his way!” when he spots his son on the grass. And Mark reminisces about pushing his sons to excel in rugby, though now they’re the ones urging him to keep up. Fathers playing with and against their sons cherish every moment, both on and off the field.
There’s no prouder moment for a father than seeing his son follow in his footsteps. And when it comes to their shared love for rugby, the pride soars to new heights. Guy and Dolev Gorfil, Menachem, Boaz, and Nimrod Ben-Menachem, Mark, Guy, and Roi Goldin, and Offer and Eyal Fabian—all second-generation, and even third-generation rugby players. What’s remarkable is that they’re all still active, still playing, some even together. Rugby, a sport that connects beyond the field, unites, strengthens, and inspires its players—and these four families embody that spirit.
Guy Gorfil (52), an investment manager in Berlin, has been playing rugby since the age of 14, albeit with a break in between. A few years ago, he discovered a rugby team near his home and brought along his son, Dolev (22). “It was love at first sight,” Guy recalls. “He was immediately hooked. In no time, he became an outstanding athlete and a player for the Israeli national team.”
Today, they play side by side for the Mamouths. “It’s a joy to play together and see him on the field,” Guy says. “He’s far better than me now. When he’s next to me, I feel safe, knowing that his presence brings both reassurance and strength to the team. His energy and commitment inspire me to play with greater confidence and determination. I teach him that a rugby player has no limits—the limits are in your head. No matter the pain or blood, it’s all mental. You can always give more. And this mindset carries into life—knowing that anything is possible if your mind is strong and decisive.”
Menachem Ben-Menachem, soon to turn 60, shows no signs of slowing down, especially now that his sons Boaz (25) and Nimrod (22) have joined him on the field. “My sons grew up breathing rugby from a young age—they didn’t really have a choice,” he laughs. “It fills me with pride and satisfaction to see them grow into rugby players and share this love for the game with me.”
Offer Fabian, the former chairman of Israel Rugby Union, is also nearing 60 but continues to play alongside his son, Eyal (23). “There’s no greater pride than playing with my son on the field,” he shares. “These days, I contribute a few minutes here and there, while Eyal is one of the team’s leading players. Still, every now and then, we’re on the field together.”
Mark Goldin, the father of Guy (25) and Roi (21), knows what it’s like to follow in a father’s footsteps. Thirty-eight years ago, he played alongside his father, Charles. “At 16, I was on the youth team with my dad as the coach. At 17, I was playing with him in the senior team. My sons started playing as kids and now anchor the Tel Aviv Rugby Club. Every moment I get to play with them on the field is double the joy—rugby and family.”
Recognizing the Strengths of the Next Generation
Menachem Ben-Menachem: “Boaz and Nimrod grew up with rugby, so their game understanding and vision are excellent.”
Mark Goldin: “Guy and Roi are both incredibly talented. Guy has exceptional personal technique, broad game vision, and he is a strong tackler. Roi is a passionate player—very aggressive with excellent skills.”
Guy Gorfil: “Dolev plays wing or fullback. He’s versatile, fast, and tackles fiercely.”
Offer Fabian: “Eyal plays wing and is incredibly agile.”
Balancing Roles: Fathers on the Sidelines
Guy Gorfil: “When I see my son playing, I’m over the moon—more nervous than when I’m playing. I shout, even though he can’t hear me. It’s more for me, to release tension, but of course, I’m always cheering him on.”
Mark Goldin: “I’m their biggest fan. I give them pointers, positive reinforcement, and after the game, we analyze together and discuss what can be improved.”
Menachem Ben-Menachem: “My wife and I make an effort to be on the sidelines when one or both of our sons are playing. We stick to cheering from there.”
Shared Experiences Off the Field
Guy Gorfil: “We both love extreme sports—skiing, snow, sea, you name it. We make the most of our shared passions. During his post-army trip, we spent a month surfing in Sri Lanka and even went to the Maldives together. I once accompanied him to the European Championship, where they placed third. It was amazing to be there, seeing him play at such a level.”
Mark Goldin: “We work out together and, of course, enjoy sitting with club friends over a beer.”
Offer Fabian: “We spent a short vacation in France at the start of the World Cup and watched three games together—a perfect father-son getaway with top-quality rugby, great food, and bonding.”
Playing Together or Against Each Other
Mark Goldin: “Playing together is a huge pleasure, though it can sometimes create tensions. Initially, I pushed them to improve their rugby, but now they’re the ones telling me to keep up,” he laughs.
Offer Fabian, who plays with his son for Rugby Hadarim, shares, “One of the running jokes during practice games is when Eyal goes into contact and hits the ground, I shout, ‘Dad’s on his way!’”
Menachem Ben-Menachem: “Once a year, there’s an ‘Oldies vs. Youngsters’ game at Maccabi Haifa Wild Boars club, and I get to play against one or both of my sons. It’s always a challenge and a lot of fun because we actively seek each other out in the tackles.”
Guy Gorfil: “We play both rugby and touch rugby together. Being on a team together is like being part of a combat unit in the army—you fight for your life and your teammates’ lives. If you don’t rise to the tackle, the whole team suffers. It’s a sport where you have to give your heart and soul.”
From the Sons’ Perspective Eyal Fabian, Offer’s son, was exposed to rugby at the age of three when the family would come to watch his father play. He started playing for a team in Ra’anana but switched to basketball in seventh grade. “The whole time I played basketball, I felt it was too soft, and people liked to complain,” he recalls, which eventually led him back to rugby. “Having a father in the sport is great because everyone knows him, but it’s not always easy—sometimes people raise an eyebrow because, after all, I’m ‘his son.’ Most of the time, I don’t feel it, but there’s definitely a desire to make him proud. I know how much it makes him happy to see me on the field.”
