Struggle, persistence and hope: The heroic journey of the women of Hapoel Galil Elyon

Three years of war, evacuation of settlements, training away from home, incessant sirens, games postponed time after time, and uncertainty that lasted for months. All these could have broken almost any sports team. But the Hapoel Galil Elyon women's basketball team chose a different path. They stayed in the Galilee, insisted on continuing to train, kept the local core - and at the end of an event-filled season, celebrated a promotion to the National League. Behind the achievement lies the story of a club that, even in the most difficult times, continued to represent its home.

"It all started three years ago," recalls team coach Moshe Rahamim. "We couldn't stay in the Galilee, so we moved our residence and training to Beit Hillel in the Jordan Valley, just to keep the team alive. That season we finished in third place, then second, and only this year did we manage to really return to the Galilee - still under war." Returning home did not signal a return to routine. On the contrary, the security reality accompanied the team almost every day.

"Most of the squad is based on home-grown players," says Rahamim. "We have seven players who grew up here. That was our rationale from the start - to build a team that is connected and committed to the community. In retrospect, this was also one of the reasons we managed to continue. Players from the Galilee could get to training." According to him, the challenge was not only professional, but primarily human: "There were players who came from outside and it was hard for them. They heard booms, experienced sirens, and didn't always know how to deal with it. Within the team, we had to contain everyone - both those who lived this reality all their lives and those who encountered it for the first time."

Professionally, too, the war took a heavy toll. Hapoel Galil Elyon finished the regular season in first place in the Northern District and qualified for the National League promotion playoffs. However, while teams from the center of the country continued to play almost as usual, in the Galilee the reality was completely different. "We were the main victims," says Rahamim. "The playoffs included Elitzur Tel Aviv, Hapoel Lod, and Ma'agan Michael, who continued their routine, and we didn't play an official game for almost two and a half months." When they finally returned to play, a difficult task awaited them: to return to competitive fitness after a forced break.

In the end, everything boiled down to two decisive games - an away game in Lod and a home game against Elitzur Tel Aviv. "We won both and were promoted. It was a feeling of immense satisfaction." The last home game became a real event: "We played in Shamir, and the community filled the hall. People stood outside because there was no room. It was a moment that showed us that this has long been more than just basketball. Dana Berko, Or Davidi, and the other locals were our most significant players. This is the thing I am most proud of."

Even for the players themselves, the promotion was much more than a sporting achievement. "It was very difficult to hold training sessions regularly," says Or Davidi (23) from Moshav Margaliot. "Many girls couldn't make it because of the sirens and the fear, but everyone gave 100 percent so that we would reach this moment. After everything we went through, this promotion is something big for the Galilee. It gives hope to both the community and the sport, which is a very central part of life here."