|
Frequently Asked Questions
For 2006 JCC Maccabi
Games® Local Delegation Athletes
I have a question
about how to become:
An
Athlete
A
Host Family
A Volunteer
Be An Athlete
Q: When are the Games?
A: Sunday, August 13 –
Friday, August 18
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 identify themselves as Jewish.
Q: Are there tryouts?
A: Yes. Tryouts
for team sports will be held from January through March. Please
check out the
Tryout Schedule. There are no tryouts for individual sports.
Q: Can I try out for more than one sport?
A: Yes. Athletes are
encouraged to tryout for more than one sport.
Q: Can I play more than one sport?
A: No. You can only participate in one sport.
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 Maccabi experience occurs off the competition 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
and Sharing (Mitzvah project) and Hang Time.
Q: Is there an age requirement to participate?
A: Yes. Athletes
competing in team sports must be 13-16 as of July 31, 2006. Athletes
competing in individual sports must be 12-16 as of July 31, 2006.
Q: I miss the cut off and will be 17. Can I still
participate?
A:
Yes, 17-20 year olds can be Maccabi Assistant Coaches (MAC).
Q: What if I am not a superstar athlete?
A: Team Stamford
welcomes athletes of all skill levels. Competition levels vary for each
of the sports teams, therefore we encourage athletes to tryout 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 Stamford.
Q: Must my family be a host family?
A: Yes. As part of the
community of the Games, all Team Stamford 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 athletes are required to
make a commitment to attend as many practices as they can.
Q: I usually go on vacation or camp during the
summer. Do I need to be around throughout
the summer?
A: No. Many athletes
may not be around during the entire summer, however practices may continue
for those that are around. All athletes must be back for Game week.
Q: Do I need to be a JCC member to try out?
A: No.
Q: How much does JCC Maccabi cost?
A: The fee to
participate in the JCC Maccabi Games is $495 for JCC members, $695 for
non-members and $895 for local athletes from outside of the Greater
Stamford Area who will require local area housing. Cost includes travel
to all intra-Games events, all programming during the Games, registration,
food, competition and uniforms.
Q: How can I join the JCC?
A: Contact our
Membership Director, Susan Edelstein at (203) 487-0946 or
sedelstein@stamfordjcc.org to learn about special membership rates for
Maccabi Athletes.
Q: How do I register to be a Team Stamford athlete?
A: You can register by
filling out a Stamford JCC Maccabi athlete interest form or contact
Jocelyn Sherman at (203) 487-0996 or
jsherman@stamfordjcc.org.
Q: I have a lot of questions. How do I get the
answers?
A: Contact Nancy
Schiffman at (203) 487-0970 or
nschiffman@stamfordjcc.org.
GET IN THE GAMES!
[Back To Top]
Be A Host Family
[Back To Top]
Q: Do I need
to be Jewish to be a host family?
A:
Yes. All athletes must be housed in a Jewish home. A Jewish home is
defined as having one Jewish adult/parent living in the household.
Q:
Do I have to have a Kosher home?
A: No. We will match athletes with special dietary needs
with appropriate host families.
Q:
We do not keep a religious home. Can we still host athletes?
A: Yes. JCC Maccabi Games® athletes come from a variety of
Jewish backgrounds. We will match athletes with a more religious
background to host families who keep more religious homes.
Q:
Do I need to be a member of the JCC to be a host family?
A: No. All Jewish families are welcome to host JCC Maccabi
Games® Athletes.
Q:
My child is not participating as an athlete, can I still host?
A: Yes. All Jewish families are welcome to host JCC Maccabi
Games® Athletes.
Q:
What if I am interested in hosting, what do I do next?
A: Just go to the website (www.stamfordmaccabi.org) and
click on the registration button. After filling out the form you will
receive a User ID and Password so you can update your record if necessary.
You will be contacted at a later date.
Q:
Can the athletes baby sit?
A: No. Athletes are coming to the Games to participate in
sports competition and social events. They will be kept on a very busy
schedule. On host family night (Monday), we ask the host families to
entertain the athletes at home or take them out for a fun evening.
Q:
I am available to host, however, I am only available to drive my athletes
for part of the week, can I still be a host family?
A: Yes. But carpooling arrangements with another host family
are necessary.
Q:
What if I work and can’t drive the athletes around during the day?
A: No Problem. You will only need to drop off your athletes
in the morning and pick them up in the late evening. We will provide
transportation throughout the day.
Q:
Can I make requests for athletes of a particular gender or in a particular
sport?
A: Yes. You can request both gender and sport, however,
requests are not guaranteed.
Q:
What meals will I need to provide for the athletes?
A: You will need to provide dinner on Sunday and Monday
night and snacks if they get hungry throughout the week. Breakfast, lunch,
and dinner will be provided daily.
Q:
I have pets. Can I still host athletes?
A: Yes. The housing committee goes through an extensive
process to match athletes to appropriate host families. They will take
into consideration allergies, dietary needs, and other requests when
matching.
[Back To Top]
Be A Volunteer
[Back To Top]
Q: What if I
am interested in volunteering, but I don’t know my schedule yet?
A:
That is ok. Just go to the homepage (www.stamfordmaccabi.org)
and click on the registration button. After filling out the form, you will
receive a user Id and Password so you can update your schedule at a later
date.
Q:
It is important that I know a lot about sports to volunteer or do you have
non-sports volunteer positions?
A: Volunteers are needed in multiple areas from food service
to closing ceremonies.
Q:
I plan to volunteer, but do you have babysitting for my children?
A: No. We will not have babysitting services available;
however, we can work around your schedule when determining your shifts.
Depending on the age, your child may come and volunteer with you during
daytime activities.
Q:
Do I need to be Jewish or a member of the JCC to volunteer?
A: No. The entire community is invited to take part in the
Games, although the athletes who participate need to be Jewish.
Q:
Can my teenagers volunteer?
A: Yes. If they are not athletes, children under 17 may
volunteer at daytime activities with a parent.
Q:
If my child is playing in a sport, can I volunteer during that time?
A: No. We do not recommend that you volunteer when your
child is competing in an event, because you most likely will want to
support your child and attend the event in which he/she is participating.
There will many opportunities for you to volunteer when your child is not
competing.
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 should be available at all venues; however,
volunteers need to secure a complimentary parking pass.
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.
Q:
I have other questions. Where can I go to get those answers?
A: Send us an email at
info@stamfordmaccabi.org.
This is a community wide event and we appreciate your interest and thank
you.
[Back To Top]
|
