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March 25, 2005
Keeping his eyes on the ball
Vancouver doctor to play soccer in Haifa at the 2005 Maccabiah
Games.
MATT BARKOFF
When David Rossman took the call from Maccabi Canada to play soccer
for his country at the Maccabiah Games in 1993, it was an unbelievable
honor. Now all this ophthalmologist wants to do is complete his
fellowships in oculoplastic surgery so one day he can open a practice
in Vancouver. That will surely happen for the 31-year-old, but not
before he represents his country in one final swan song, to play
soccer once again, this time at the 2005 Maccabiah Games.
Passed over following a fall try out, Rossman recently got a second
call in February and made the squad.
"I felt in the try out that I had a very good session,"
the 5'8", 150-pound right midfielder said. "Everything
felt good – no injuries – and I felt pretty confident
I was going to make the team. When they told me that I'd made the
team, though, there were other athletes around who had not made
it, so I really had no outward reaction of emotion."
There were approximately 16 athletes there that night and five were
selected for the remaining positions for the team. Rossman was told
to step into a different dressing room with the four other athletes
chosen. Having gone through the selection process a number of times,
the veteran was prepared for anything, but nothing matches the personal
satisfaction of attaining your main goal.
The cost of sending each athlete to Israel will be in the neighborhood
of $6,000 – $2,000 of which the player is responsible for himself.
"In the second locker room I felt pretty pumped," Rossman
recalled. "I did realize what I had accomplished and it was
all very real because the cheque was written, literally five minutes
after I was in the room. I accepted all the packages and I shook
both coaches' hands and said 'thank you very much.' "
The head coach, who Rossman played soccer with for the McGill University
team, suggested he could train with the university team again to
brush up his skills.
Despite some competitive rust, Rossman is just marginally older
than many of his teammates. Maccabi Canada plans to send nearly
100 kids in the 14-18 age range though, joining 1,300 other similarly
aged youngsters from more than 50 countries. The veteran is on board
to provide leadership for sure, but could double as team doctor
in a pinch as well.
Right now, he's in Montreal, doing a one-year fellowship in oculoplastic
and orbital surgery at McGill. Last summer, he was approached by
the assistant coach of the Maccabi team to try out for the squad.
"It was then that I knew that there was a chance that I'd be
able to make this team," said Rossman. "So I did start
to train around then, getting my legs going and doing the speed
work I would need in order to play some competitive soccer."
Having refrained from varsity-type competition for a number of years,
the Vancouverite has some serious work ahead between now and July.
"You're always staying in shape, but 'soccer muscles' are a
little bit different," Rossman explained. "In soccer you
need a good endurance base but you've also got to work on your sprints
and your recovery time. Also, you need to stretch a lot. You've
got to do your weights and all that stuff, but when you're playing
you have to make sure your leg muscles aren't too tight."
Israel holds the Maccabiah Games every four years and the games
reflect both the history of the state of Israel and the Jewish people
as a whole. The initial games were held under the British Mandate
in 1932 and developed into one of the top international sporting
events on the globe. Maccabiah, organized by the Maccabi World Union,
has evolved to suit modern standards in terms of what appeals to
athletes and sporting fans.
This time, men's outdoor soccer will be played in Haifa, with teams
coming from around the world.
"I know that the level of competition is going to be amazing,"
said Rossman, "and I'm sure Israel will be the favorite, being
able to draw professional players from their local leagues."
Rossman first attended the games with the McGill varsity soccer
team when he was 19.
"It was a fantastic experience," he said, "a great
time in my life. I met tons of interesting people, played great
soccer, the best soccer of my life – so that's why I'm looking
forward to going back again."
Rossman has always been athletic, participating in youth soccer
before advancing to higher levels within the sport. He also ran
two marathons between 1995 and 1997. His best time was in the Victoria
marathon when he finished in three hours and 36 minutes.
He's excited to see not only what the Maccabi Canada team can accomplish,
but what he might have to offer once the tournament begins. The
first try out experience was harrowing for him, but he's now revved
up for a second chance.
"This is an amazing opportunity to really challenge myself
and see what I have left," he enthused. "I can see what
I can pull together for one last kick at the can to really try and
accomplish something. I'll be 32 when I go, and anything can happen
in sports. Who knows? A top-five finish, maybe even a bronze medal.
There are some good, young players on this team. I had to earn my
spot and I'm going to try and earn my playing time, and hopefully
make an impact up the right side of the field."
The training begins now for Rossman, who will be in peak condition
by the time he leaves for London. He has arranged to make his own
way to the games before returning to London to continue his fellowship.
He will be juggling the games with a second oculoplastic surgery
fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.
Anyone interested in supporting the Maccabi Canada Men's Outdoor
Soccer Team should contact Rossman at dwrossman@
hotmail.com. Fund-raising culminates on April 15. All donations
are tax deductible.
Matt Barkoff is a Vancouver sports writer.
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