OUR STORY
THE HEAT STORY
We launched the Tel Aviv Heat, Israel’s first professional rugby team, just over a year ago, with the mission of applying Startup Nation innovation and values to build a sustainable, world-class rugby club—on and off the pitch—that elevates and links Israel rugby to a worldwide community of sports professionals and fans promoting respect &
inclusion.
A year later, our rugby startup has become a reality. The creativity, work ethic, and entrepreneurial spirit, along with our dedication to the core rugby values of solidarity, discipline, and respect have drawn elite professional players to join Israel’s best in the inaugural season of the Rugby Europe Super Cup.
The Tel Aviv Heat culture is centered on providing the highest value opportunities and experiences for our players, supporters, and partners by balancing the demanding high performance rugby of the professional game with camaraderie, adventure, and belonging to a community with rugby traditions.
On the pitch, the Tel Aviv Heat defeated the Russian national champions in Moscow, faced the Lusitanos of Portugal in Semi Final of the Rugby Europe Super Cup, and toured South Africa due to the generous invitation and support of the Blue Bulls. Off the pitch, the Tel Aviv Heat evolved into a global rugby brand through authentic and organic engagement with global supporters. The Tel Aviv Heat draws interest in partnerships from professional clubs and unions in Europe, the U.S., and the Middle East and from market leading commercial partners, including Royal Caribbean Cruises, our new Season 2 sponsor.
Immensely grateful for the dedication of our players and staff, our support from our fans and partners around the world, we hope you will join us along on our journey to
greatness.
HEAT
LEADERSHIP
ADI RAZ
CHAIRMAN
Adi founded the Holyland Sevens and Budapest Sevens rugby tournaments and a bespoke clothing brand.
Adi is currently the President of a leading glassware marketing and sales company with global market share
BARRY SEIDEL
FOUNDING OWNER
Barry is a management consultant and investor with extensive experience operating startup and high growth companies
PETE SICKLE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Pete combines extensive experience leading business development and content strategy for Israeli startups while coaching high performance rugby teams.
KEVIN MUSIKANTH
DIRECTOR of RUGBY & HEAD COACH
Kevin has over 20 years of Head Coaching experience leading various rugby organizations from schools, clubs, to universities and currently serves as the High Performance Director of Rugby and Head Coach of the Israeli men’s national team, both 15’s and 7’s
LANA KADIM
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Lana brings with her many years of broad experience in a large variety of global companies and organisations both in Israel and South Africa.
Her experience in process and operational development and management extends to Hi tech with an emphasis on Startups.