עברית
Completion of the First Cycling Mechanics Course for Youth in Israel
By the Project Staff
A ceremony took place on Sunday 4 May 2008 to celebrate the completion of the first cycling mechanics course for youth in Israel. Some 16 youngsters participated in the new 30-hour course at the cycling club in Beit Shemesh. They attended 10 three-hour sessions.
For most of the children this was their first vocational training experience. The Israel Cycling Federation organized the course, which was taught by Mr. Gal Sverdlov, an experienced mechanic and lecturer who has run other mechanics courses for the Federation.
Photo: Some of the club members before the ceremony
Mr. Haggai Goldshmidt, the local government official responsible for sport, Mr. Eyal Hershtik, the director of the Bikes For All project of the Israel Cycling Federation, Mr. Uri Hadar, the head of the Samson Riders, Mr. Sivan Cohen, the representative of the local council Matteh Yehuda, a representative of Keren Avraham, and the parents of the youngsters all attended the ceremony. The children were awarded certificates, there were light refreshments, and everyone enjoyed the films – one about their cycling activity and another about the Israel Cycling Federation.
Photo: Mr. Eytan Hevroni, the director of the Beit Shemesh cycling club, and Mr. Goldshmidt, local authority official responsible for sport.
Mr. Goldshmidt, instructor Mr. Gal Sverdlov, Mr. Eyal Hershtik and Mr. Sivan Cohen received framed certificates and the children who completed the course all received certificates from the Israel Cycling Federation. Four boys gained special credit for excellence: Ilan Gryn, Marouan Brahum, Avihai Balta and Lior Zarka. The 16 youths who completed the course also received a CD with bike trails that they can enjoy, a helmet and visor. The four who excelled were also given an ISSTA back pack.
Mr. Gal Sverdlov, the course instructor, promised to return to the club once every month or two to help the youths who had just graduated to maintain the club’s bicycles. Some of these youths have jobs in bike shops in Tel Aviv to increase their experience in all the skills they learned in the course.
Many thanks to all those who contributed to the mechanics course: Ran from the bike shop Ran Ofen in Shavei Zion, Bob Brenner from Metarso Equipment and Parts.
Photo: Mr. Gal Svedlov, Israel Cycling Federation’s mechanics instructor
