Australian Kids Soccer Club Renames Mascot ‘Matilda’ in Honor of 10-Year-Old Killed in Bondi Hanukkah Attack
by Shiryn Ghermezian
The father of Matilda Britvan, 10, one of the victims of a mass shooting that targeted Jewish holiday celebration on Sunday, holds a photo of his daughter while standing next to his wife, on the day of a vigil at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 16, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Hollie Adams
A soccer team for youngsters based in Australia has renamed its mascot Matilda in honor of 10-year-old Matilda Bee Britvan who was killed in the deadly mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney, the club announced recently
Maccabi FC Caulfield is based in a suburb in Melbourne and caters to kids from the ages of 5 until under 18, although it also has a senior women’s branch. Its mascot is a bee and was called “MaccaBee” before being changed to Matilda recently. Britvan was among 15 people murdered in the attack on Bondi Beach on Dec. 14, in which dozens were also injured. She was the youngest victim of the attack, and her coffin was decorated with yellow toy bees.
Maccabi FC said following the antisemitic attack that Britvan’s mother asked the world to share images of bees on social media using the hashtag “MatildaBee” as a way to honor her daughter’s memory. “Maccabi FC Caulfield is humbled to join this movement,” the club announced. “From this day forward, our club mascot will officially be named Matilda. Whether she is on our social media or watching over us at the Beehive in Caulfield Park, she will fly as a living tribute to a life taken far too soon.”
“It is our deepest hope that knowing Matilda’s name lives on in the hearts of our young athletes brings even a small measure of comfort to those who loved her,” the club added.
“Though this Hanukkah began in darkness, we choose to honor the victims by being a source of light,” the statement continued. “We stand in unwavering solidarity with our brothers and sisters in NSW [New South Wales] … May Matilda’s memory be a blessing that inspires us all to fly a little higher.”
Maccabi FC also shared a link to a GoFundMe page that has been established to support the victim’s family.
The mass shooting on Dec. 14 took place on the eve of Hanukkah. One of the alleged gunmen Sajid Akram, 50, who was shot dead by police, owned six firearms. His 24-year-old son Naveed Akram has been charged with 59 offenses, including murder and terrorism, according to police. The alleged gunmen planned the attack for several months and visited the Bondi beachside park for reconnaissance two days before the mass shooting, according to a police fact sheet.
In honor of Britvan, Build-a-Bear Australia donated 100 percent of proceeds from all bee plush doll purchases to the victim’s family. The company sold out of their stock in three days.
