{"id":11508,"date":"2026-01-28T16:48:54","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T14:48:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/maccabi-tel-aviv-lift-the-trophy-and-the-spirit-of-rugby-wins\/"},"modified":"2026-01-28T20:28:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T18:28:34","slug":"maccabi-tel-aviv-lift-the-trophy-and-the-spirit-of-rugby-wins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/en\/maccabi-tel-aviv-lift-the-trophy-and-the-spirit-of-rugby-wins\/","title":{"rendered":"Maccabi Tel Aviv Lift the Trophy \u2013 and the Spirit of Rugby Wins"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A 22\u201312 win over Galil Elyon in the final sealed the Women\u2019s Rugby Sevens tournament at Wingate (the Olympic format of the game), but the defining moment belonged to Jessica Tolshin: a return after childbirth, and a message inviting more women back onto the pitch.<\/h4>\n\n

Maccabi Tel Aviv Rugby Club capped a successful day at the Wingate Institute by claiming the Women\u2019s Rugby Sevens title, following a 22\u201312 victory over Galil Elyon Bees in the final. In rugby sevens, the Olympic format of the sport, there is little margin for error, and Maccabi were sharp, efficient, and above all consistent throughout the day, lifting the trophy at the final whistle.<\/p>\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n

Then, just after that final whistle, came the moment that truly captured the spirit of rugby. During the closing ceremony, host Michal sabato congratulated Jessica Tolshin, a Maccabi Tel Aviv and Israel national team player, on her return to the pitch after giving birth. Tolshin spoke about the inspiration she drew from mothers who had made their own comebacks, and turned her story into an open invitation for others:\n\u201cThe mothers who returned to play after childbirth inspired me. Now I want to inspire more women to return to sport after giving birth.\u201d\nMoments later, fellow player-mothers joined her for a shared moment, a single image that perfectly summed up the entire day: competition on the grass, and genuine connection beyond it.<\/p>\n\n