Hapoel Tel Aviv welcomed a special guest to training last week when the club hosted supporter Noam Shilian for a private meeting with players and staff, offering him a moment of connection at a time when simply getting to the stadium is no longer possible.
Noam is an 11-year-old Israeli living with CRPS, a rare chronic pain syndrome affecting his foot that prevents him from bearing weight. Because of his condition, he has been unable to attend matches at Bloomfield Stadium, prompting the club to invite him for a personal visit instead. During the meeting, Noam spoke with the players and wished them success for the remainder of the season, while they, in turn, embraced him warmly and wished him health, happiness, and strength.
Just a year ago, his life looked very different. What began as a routine soccer game with friends in Ashkelon ended in a fall that at first appeared minor. It was later diagnosed as the onset of CRPS, and since then, a wheelchair has become an inseparable part of his daily life.
Following the injury, Noam began rehabilitation at the ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran rehabilitation village, where he found a new outlet in wheelchair basketball. He joined the center’s team, which competes in Israel’s National League B, and only months later earned a call-up to Israel’s youth national team – a milestone achievement during an especially challenging chapter in his life.
Recently, his condition has shown signs of improvement. For short periods, he is now able to stand, and he chose to greet the Hapoel Tel Aviv players on his feet, supported by crutches – a small but meaningful victory in an ongoing recovery.
Tragedy on October 7
Noam’s journey has unfolded against the backdrop of personal tragedy as well. On October 7, his cousin Naor Hassidim and Hassidim’s partner, Sivan Elkabetz, were murdered in their home in Kfar Aza, a loss that deeply affected the family and continues to accompany his rehabilitation process.
Ami Cohen, head coach of the wheelchair basketball team at ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran, understands the challenge firsthand, as he also lives with CRPS.
“As someone who knows closely the complexity of coping with CRPS, I know it’s a condition that requires patience, perseverance and daily work,” Cohen said. “With Noam, you can see how meaningful sport is as an anchor in the rehabilitation process... His impressive progress is an inspiring result of hard work and determination.”
For Noam, the meeting with Hapoel Tel Aviv was more than just a visit. It was a reminder that while his path has changed dramatically, his connection to the game – and to the community around it – remains as strong as ever.