FAQs
The #1 Most Frequently Asked Question…
Q: How can I get involved?
A: To be a Host Family, click here.
To be a Volunteer, click here.
To be a Team Richmond athlete, click here.
To be a Sponsor, click here.
Other Most Frequently Asked Questions by Parents and Athletes…
In an effort to be helpful to parents and athletes, we have gathered the most frequently asked questions from parents of past Games. We hope you will take the time to read through all the questions and answers. If any information is not covered, and you need an answer to a particular question, please contact your local JCC delegation head.
General FAQs
Transportation
Sports
Security
Medical
Housing
Food
Athlete/Coach Conduct
Opening Ceremonies
Registration
Miscellaneous Questions
Host Community FAQs
Team Richmond
Host Families
Volunteering
General FAQs
Q: How will my child get to the Games?
A: The local delegation head will make arrangements for the delegation to fly or drive to the host city.
Q: How will the athletes be transported once at the Games?
A: The host community will offer a bus system for athletes and coaches that will allow them to take buses to their athletic venues as well as to the hub. They will be able to use the transportation system to visit venues other than those for their sport, to watch their friends and fellow delegation members compete.
Q: Will visiting families (spectators) be able to use athlete transportation?
A: No. Spectators must provide their own transportation while at the Games.
Q: What happens if an athlete misses his/her bus?
A: Most buses run every 15 minutes and athletes will be given transportation schedules upon arrival. If an athlete has missed the bus and must be at an athletic venue promptly, the athlete will be instructed to call the local delegation head for assistance.
Q: Who has permission to transport my child during the Games?
A: Host family members and your own delegation’s coaches over 21, as well as your own delegation head, may transport your child. In addition, drivers for the Games transportation bus system will be permitted to transport Games athletes.
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Q: Is my child guaranteed playing time the entire week of the Games?
A: Each JCC has its own policy with regard to playing time. However, all coaches are encouraged by the host city and the local delegation head to give each athlete a significant amount of playing time. The host’s sport chairs work with the JCC Maccabi Games® Continental Governing Body to make sure competition formats promote the greatest amount of playing time for each athlete.
Q: How many games will my child be able to play?
A: The amount will vary from sport to sport, but the host city strives to ensure that each athlete will compete on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during the week of the Games. Sports such as tennis may offer doubles competition to ensure that the athletes have a significant amount of playing time.
Q: What do athletes do once they have been eliminated from competition?
A: Athletes will have the opportunity to visit other venues, spend time with friends, and to observe other athletic competitions. There are also activities such as Hang Time at the Hub and a second sport option, which athletes can compete in during their remaining time at the Games. Many athletes enjoy watching the finals of various sports and cheering on their own delegations and new friends.
Q: Why can’t athletes participate in two sports?
A: Athletes may participate only in one sport because issues with scheduling and concerns for the athlete’s health, and to allow a larger number of athletes to participate in the Games.
Q: How do we find out our child’s athletic schedule and the scores?
A: For security reasons schedules aren’t posted, you can contact your child’s delegation head for schedules. Richmond will make their best effort to post scores in a timely manner. Scores will be posted at MaccabiRichmond.com. Scores will also be posted at the Maccabi Hub.
Q: What if our city does not have enough athletes to field a team?
A: In the event that a city cannot assemble an entire team for a particular sport, the local delegation head may apply through the JCC Maccabi Games® office to create a mixed team with athletes from another delegation. Your local delegation head can explain this in more detail and is the only person who can apply for athletes to participate on a mixed team. There is no guarantee that the JCC Maccabi Games® office will be able to accommodate all requests.
Q: What do athletes do between athletic competitions?
A: If an athlete has time in between athletic competitions, he/she will have the opportunity to visit other venues to eat, visit with friends, go to Hang Time, or observe other athletic competitions.
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Q: Who is responsible and involved in providing security for the Games?
A: The staff of the Weinstein JCC will work closely with a wide variety of local, state and federal agencies to determine the security needs for the Games.
Q: What are credentials and why are they needed?
A: Credentials are visible identification badges for athletes and coaches to help the host’s security team determine who should be admitted into Games venues and keep venues secure and also provides the athlete’s medical information on the back of the credential. If credentials are lost, replacement credentials are available at the Hub. Spectators are also required to obtain a spectator pass which permits them entry into Games venues and Opening Ceremonies only.
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Q: What happens if my child gets injured?
A: Medical personnel are available at most athletic venues and the Hub. If an athlete is injured, the on-site staff will evaluate the situation and determine the next course of action. If there is no medical personnel on site, which may be the case for some non-contact sports, the athlete would be taken to the Hub or in an emergency, to the local hospital or urgent care center. In the event of an injury, the athlete’s delegation head will be notified immediately. The delegation head will then contact the parents.
Q: Why do I need to provide a medical form filled out by my doctor within the past six months?
A: It is important for the Games medical staff to have the most up-to-date medical information on each athlete to ensure the athlete receives the best care in the event of an injury or emergency.
Q: How do I communicate health issues about my child?
A: Parents will be asked to fill out a medical information form as part of their registration process. In addition, parents should communicate any medical conditions or issues directly to their delegation heads. Any documented information will be kept confidential and parents are encouraged to be honest on their forms so that the delegation head is prepared to deal with any situation that may arise.
Q: Are there trainers at each venue and will they do taping?
A: Although medical personnel will be available at most venues, they will not be available for taping. Athletes and coaches will be responsible for all taping.
Q: Who is authorized to give my child clearance to play after he/she is injured?
A: Clearance may be given only by the Hub medical personal after they have examined the athlete and are confident they are well enough to participate and would not risk further injury. Athletes, delegation heads, coaches and parents are not authorized to give clearance.
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Q: How are host families selected?
A: A screening process is used for selecting appropriate host families. Most families are sought out from the Weinstein JCC, local synagogues/temples and Jewish groups/organizations. In addition, each local athlete MUST house at least two athletes in order to participate in the Games. All host families are researched to ensure the athlete’s safety and well being.
Q: What if an athlete is not happy with his/her host family?
A: Changes in host families will not be made unless the safety or security of an athlete is of concern, or there is a medical condition such as an allergy or dietary issue.
Q: Are athletes guaranteed to be housed with their friends?
A: No. The housing of athletes is very complex and although the host city will make every effort to accommodate requests, they may not be able to do so. Therefore, requests are not guaranteed. When requesting a roommate, make sure that person requests you and that you are compatible, including allergies, keeping kosher, etc.
Q: When will we be contacted by our host families?
A: Host families will contact athletes and their families to introduce themselves several days before the Games. If you are not contacted by your host family, please inform your delegation head. Do not contact the host community.
Q: What are the sleeping accommodations that we can expect for athletes?
A: Each host family is asked to provide athletes with separate and reasonable sleeping accommodations.
Q: What meals and assistance, such as laundry, can the athletes expect from their hosts?
A: Breakfast and some dinners will be provided by the host family. Laundry facilities will be provided, but athletes are expected to do their own laundry when needed. Host families will also provide transportation when needed.
Q: Should athletes bring gifts for their host families?
A: Athletes are encouraged to bring gifts for their host families. Hosts are extending themselves for an entire week and will appreciate an inexpensive Thank You. Suggested gifts include gift certificates to places such as Blockbuster or Starbucks or a unique gift from your city.
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Q: Is the food at the Games kosher?
A: Ye, all food provided will be under the supervision of the Va’ad Hakashruth of Richmond.
Q: Is there food available for vegetarians and vegans?
A: Yes. Both vegetarian and vegan options are at each meal.
Q: Are there drinks and snacks provided for the athletes during the day?
A: Yes. Snacks and drinks are provided for athletes and coaches at most venues throughout the day. Athletes are encouraged to carry a water bottle at all times and to make sure that it is filled with water. Spectators are responsible for their own food and drinks.
Q: Is there a variety of food served each day?
A: We have worked with our food and teen committees to create an appealing and varied menu for the week. Meals are healthy and promote a well-balanced diet.
Q: Do the host families serve kosher food?
A: Kosher homes are available upon request. However, you must specify a kosher home when registering online. In some communities, there is a limited supply of strictly kosher homes, so please register for a kosher home only if the athlete eats only strictly kosher food. Various levels of kashrut may be requested via the online registration process.
Q: What meals do host families provide?
A: Most host families will provide dinner to athletes before they attend Opening Ceremonies and on Host Family Night. They also provide breakfast.
Q: Are meals included in our registration fee?
A: Yes. All meals and lodging are included in the athlete’s registration fee.
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Q: What behavior could cause athletes to be sent home early?
A: This is covered in the Code of Conduct. Please review it in the athlete confirmation kit provided by your local delegation head or go to the Games website www.jccmaccabi.org.
Q: Who determines if an athlete should be sent home?
A: Each host city has a Court of Honor. If an athlete or coach has a complaint made against him/her, the Court of Honor will review the complaint and determine if the actions of the person warrant a punishment. The punishments can range from a warning, being asked to sit out a game, to being sent home at their parents’ expense. The Court of Honor’s decision is final. Should local law enforcement intervene then decisions may be out of the committee’s hands.
Q: Do we need passes for Opening Ceremonies?
A: Yes. All visitors require spectator passes for admittance into Opening Ceremonies. You may register online for your pass at www.jccmaccabi.org. There is a fee for spectator passes that will need to be paid to your local delegation head before attending the Games. Please speak with your local delegation head.
Q: Do we need tickets to attend?
A: Your delegation head will communicate to you whether or not you need tickets in addition to your spectator pass.
Q: Is there a special seating section for each delegation?
A: Visitors are not permitted to sit with their delegations. However, a map will be provided upon arrival at the Opening Ceremonies, which will give spectators an idea of where to sit in order to see or be near their local delegation.
Q: Is transportation provided for visitors from the visitor’s hotel to Opening Ceremonies?
A: No. Visitors will be responsible for their own transportation during the Games.
Q: What is the schedule for Opening Ceremonies?
A: Your local delegation head will be able to provide you with information regarding Opening Ceremonies.
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Q: How do I register for the JCC Maccabi Games®?
A: Registration is a two-part process. 1. Begin by speaking with you local JCC delegation head regarding the process for your community, including sports offered, dates and fees. 2. Once you have successfully registered with your local delegation head, register on the Continental JCC Maccabi Games® website at www.jccmaccabi.org.
Q: What are the North American requirements for an athlete to qualify?
A: Each athlete must be JEWISH and have at least one Jewish parent and must be between the ages of 13 and 16 as of July 31 of the year of the Games for which the athlete is registering. Richmond athletes can be 12 as of July 31 if competing in an individual sport.
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Q: When can visitors/spectators spend time with athletes?
A: Parents are encouraged to attend Opening Ceremonies and athletic competitions. However, parents are strongly discouraged from taking their child out of Games activities. By taking athletes out of Games activities, they miss out on social opportunities, risk missing important time with their team and delegation, and can cause security issues if they cannot be accounted for.
Q: What activities can visitors/spectators participate in?
A: Visitors must wear their spectator passes in order to receive admittance into Games venues. The spectator pass will allow visitors to attend athletic events as well as Opening Ceremonies. Visitors will not be permitted to use Games transportation, dine with the athletes at the Games Hub, attend evening activities or consume food or drinks that have been provided for coaches and athletes.
Q: Where should I stay if I attend the Games?
A: Visiting families are encouraged to stay at designated JCC Maccabi Games® hotels. These hotels will have schedules and directions to athletic venues and Opening Ceremonies available.
Q: Should I call the host city to get information about the Games?
A: No. Your local delegation head should be able to provide you with all the information you will need to have a positive Games experience for you and your child. Please do not call the host city as they have much to do to prepare for an event of this magnitude.
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Host Community FAQs
Q: Can I participate in the Games if I can’t be there all week?
A: No, you must commit to the entire week.
Q: Do you have to be Jewish to participate?
A: Yes, all JCC Maccabi Games® athletes must have at least one Jewish parent.
Q: Are there tryouts for Team Richmond?
A: Athletes must have a minimum skill level for team sports and if there are more interested athletes for a particular sport than spaces available, tryouts may be scheduled.
Q: Am I guaranteed a spot on the Team Richmond delegation?
A: Yes, all athletes are guaranteed a spot on Team Richmond, thought they may not always get their first choice sport.
Q: How do you decide how many athletes from Richmond compete?
A: In the years that Team Richmond travels to another city, we are given an allotment of athletes that we are able to take with us. This is determined by the host city’s size and the number of athletes that can be home-housed in that city. In addition, each sport has a limited number of spots for traveling teams. Because we are hosting the Games this summer we have the ability to include an unlimited amount of local athletes. In addition, we are able to have two teams compete in every team sport.
Q: Can I play more than one sport?
A: No. You can only participate in one sport. This is because you will be playing in your sport for some time each day of the JCC Maccabi Games®. You will also have time to see your friends playing other sports and cheer them on or at the nightly social events.
Q: What else happens during the week of the Games?
A: While the athletic competition is certainly an important component of the JCC Maccabi Games®, much of the experience occurs off the competitive field when athletes of all sports have an opportunity to interact through a variety of social and cultural events, including evening activities, Day of Caring/Day of Sharing (Mitzvah project), and Hang Time.
Q: Is there an age requirement to participate on Team Richmond?
A: Yes. Athletes competing in Team Sports must be 13 – 16, as of July 31, 2010. Athletes competing in Individual Sports must be 12 – 16, as of July 31, 2010.
Q: What if I am not a superstar athlete?
A: Team Richmond welcomes athletes of all skill levels. Competition levels vary for each of the sports teams; therefore we encourage athletes to try out for more than one sport. While there may not be a spot for you in your first choice sport, there is a spot for you on one of the many sports teams that comprise Team Richmond.
Q: Must my family be a host family?
A: Yes, as part of the community of the Games, all Team Richmond athletes are required to house at least two visiting athletes for the week of the Games.
Q: Will there be practices?
A: Yes. Each coach will determine his/her own practice schedule, and will hold at least 2 practices a month.
Q: I usually go on vacation or to camp during the summer. Do I need to be around throughout the summer?
A: No, many teenagers may not be around during the entire summer, however practices will continue for those that are around. All athletes must be back for Games week.
Q: Do I need to be a Weinstein JCC member to try out?
A: No, however, member rates for participation are $100 lower.
Q: How much does it cost to be a part of Team Richmond for the 2010 JCC Maccabi Games®?
A: The fee to participate as a Team Richmond athlete in the JCC Maccabi Games® is $495 for Weinstein JCC members, $595 for Weinstein JCC Non-Members. Cost includes national event registration fees, travel to all intra-Games events, all programming during the Games, meals, snacks and drinks, registration, competition, uniforms and Team Richmond hat, shirt, bag, pins, warm-up and Team Richmond events prior to and after the games.
Q: I can’t afford the fees, is there financial assistance available?
A: Yes, payment plans and scholarships based on financial need are available. The Weinstein JCC is committed to insuring that no athlete is excluded from participation in the JCC Maccabi Games® because of financial need. Please contact Jordan Pinsky for information at (804)545-8609 or jpinsky@weinsteinjcc.org.
Q: I have a lot of questions. How do I get the answers?
A: Keep checking the website, it is updated frequently and has many of your answers. You can type words into the search engine to find information you need. You can also call the JCC Maccabi Games® local office at (804) 545-8639 or email maccabi@weinsteinjcc.org.
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Q: Do I need to be Jewish to be a host family?
A: Yes, all athletes must be housed in a Jewish home where at least one parent is Jewish. Please know that there are many volunteer opportunities for anybody who is interested.
Q: What if I work and I can’t drive the athletes around during the day?
A: You are not required to do any of the driving during the day. You will drop off your athletes in the morning and pick them up in the evening after the evening events. There are buses during the day to transport athletes to and from their athletic venues.
Q: I do not have a guest room, what sleeping accommodations are required?
A: Athletes must each be given a separate bed, pull-out sofa or air mattress and access to a bathroom, but a separate room is not required.
Q: Do I need to have a kosher home?
A: No, a Kosher home is not required.
Q: I don’t keep a religious home; can I still be a host family?
A: Yes! The Maccabi athletes come from a variety of Jewish backgrounds.
Q: Do I need to be a member of the Weinstein JCC to be a host family?
A: No, all Jewish families are welcome to house Maccabi athletes.
Q: Do I need to have a child playing in the games?
A: No. All Jewish families are welcome to host Maccabi athletes.
Q: Can I be a host family if I have small children in the house?
A: Yes! Children of all ages can be a part of the JCC Maccabi Games® and being a host family is a great way to do that.
Q: Can the athletes baby sit?
A: No.
Q: Can we carpool with other families to transport athletes?
A: Yes, you can make arrangements with others who live near you to arrange your own carpool. We can provide names and contact information for families that live in your zip code if you would like to make these contacts.
Q: I am not available the whole week; can I still be a host family?
A: We are looking for full-week commitments. Please place your name on our backup list and plan to volunteer during the days you will be in town.
Q: Can I make requests about gender and athletes in a particular sport?
A: You can request both gender and sports, but these requests are not guaranteed. The committee goes through an extensive process to match athletes to appropriate host families.
Q: I have a lot of questions. How do I get the answers?
A: Check out www.maccabirichmond.org. The site is updated frequently and has many of your answers. You can type words into the search engine to find information you need. You can also call the JCC Maccabi Games® local office at (804) 545-8639 or email maccabi@weinsteinjcc.org.
Q: What if I am interested in volunteering, but I don’t know my schedule yet?
A: That’s O.K. You may update your availability on your registration form whenever there is a change. There are many opportunities for involvement with varying time commitments.
Q: Is it important that I know a lot about sports to volunteer or do you have non-sports volunteer positions?
A: No. Volunteers are needed in multiple areas from food service to evening events and transportation.
Q: I plan to volunteer, but do you offer baby sitting for my children?
A: No. We will not have baby sitting services available; however we can work around your schedule when determining your shifts.
Q: Do I need to be Jewish or a member of the Weinstein JCC to volunteer?
A: No. The entire community is invited to take part in the Games, although the athletes who participate must be Jewish. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Weinstein JCC, let us know.
Q: Can my teenagers volunteer?
A: Teens ages 12-16 may participate as an athlete for Team Richmond. Children under 12 may join the Jr. Maccabi Club. There are limited volunteer opportunities for teenagers age 19 and older. For the most part, volunteers must be age 21 and over.
Q: I am available on a limited basis, perhaps only one day during the games, is that ok?
A: Yes. We will need many volunteers and any availability is great.
Q: Do I need to wear a certain uniform to volunteer?
A: Yes. We will provide you with a complimentary volunteer t-shirt which should be worn whenever you are working a volunteer shift.
Q: Will I be able to drive to the venue where I am working?
A: Yes. Parking is available at all venues; and volunteers will receive appropriate parking information for each venue.
Q: If I am not available during the week of the Games, can I still help?
A: Absolutely! We are always looking for volunteers to assist in the planning of the Games as well as for setup the week prior to the Games.