YOUTH SPORTS

Check Out Our Spring Youth Program Guide!

There is something for everyone at the J.

TEAM AUSTIN – 2025 JCC MACCABI GAMES 

Interested in participating and/or finding out more information?  Email Thomas Romano at 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: August 3 – 8

Maccabi Games are for Jewish Athletes, ages 13-17 throughout August 3-8, 2025.

Interested in participating and/or finding out more information?  Email Thomas Romano at thomas.romano@shalomaustin.org

Available sports
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Dance
  • Flag Football
  • Girls’ Volleyball
  • Golf
  • Ice Hockey
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Star Reporter
  • Swimming
  • Table Tennis
  • Tennis
  • Track
Program elements
  • Olympic-style sport competitions
  • Opening and closing ceremonies
  • Home hospitality with local Jewish host families
  • JCC Cares community service projects
  • Hangtime programming with Israeli schlichim
  • Evening social events
Transportation & Cost
Pricing is all inclusive and includes program participation, travel, and uniforms.
Eligibility

JCC Maccabi Games are for Jewish Athletes ages 13 – 17. All athletes must be Jewish which is defined as follows: One of the athletes’ parents is Jewish and the athlete is being raised Jewish or is a Jew by choice and is being raised Jewish. In the spirit of JCC Maccabi if the parent or child does not believe that they are Jewish on a year around basis, then the child should not participate in JCC Maccabi programs. In the athlete registration, there is a declaration that contains the eligibility requirements; both the athlete and their parent(s) must sign this declaration.

Program Schedule

Sunday

  • Depart for JCC Maccabi Game
  • JCC Cares Project and Host Family pick-up

Monday

  • Athletic Competitions
  • Opening Ceremonies

Tuesday

  • Athletic Competition
  • Evening Social Activity

Wednesday

  • Athletic Competitions – Playoffs!
  • Host Family Night

Thursday

  • Playoffs continue and Championships!
  • Closing Party

Friday

  • Return home ☹

YOUTH BASKETBALL

Little Dribblers

Ages 3-6

Little Dribblers is a youth basketball enrichment program for boys and girls of all skill levels.

Little Rookies

K-2

Little Rookies is a youth basketball league for boys and girls of all skill levels. Our aim is to teach the foundational skills of basketball with a focus on fundamentals and teamwork in a fun and energetic setting.
Group of kids play basketball in the gym

Rising Stars

3rd-8th Grade

Rising Stars is a youth basketball league for boys and girls of all skill levels.  After a few weeks of skill development, each player will join a team to compete throughout the season and into the playoffs.

Skills Clinic

K-12

Basketball Skills clinic, led by Tommy Romano focuses on the 5 major fundamentals of basketball: shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding, and defense.

SOCCER SHOTS

Soccer Shots Face Mask

The Children’s Soccer Experience!

Soccer Shots is a leader in youth soccer development for children ages 2-8. Our nationally recognized program offers a fun, quality and age appropriate introduction to youth sports. We offer three different programs to meet each child’s development needs. See below to find the program that is right for your child.

THE “THREE CS” – COACHING, COMMUNICATION AND CURRICULUM.

The foundation of Soccer Shots is our relentless commitment to providing best-in-class coaching, communication and curriculum.

  1. The best coaches in the business
  2. An exceptional customer experience with ongoing communication
  3. Expert-approved curriculum that aligns with early childhood education standards

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Mini

(Ages 2-3)
Soccer Shots Mini is a high-energy program introducing children to fundamental soccer principles, such as using your feet, dribbling, and the basic rules of the game. Through fun games, songs and positive reinforcement, children will begin to experience the joy of playing soccer and being active. 

Soccer Ball Boys Sitting Field 2

Classic

(Ages 3-5)
Soccer Shots Classic utilizes creative and imaginative games to focus on basic soccer skills like dribbling, passing and shooting. We also highlight a positive character trait each session such as respect, teamwork and appreciation.

Young Boy Soccer Goal 2

Premier

(Ages 5-8)
Soccer Shots Premier focuses on individual skill, fitness, teamwork and sportsmanship. We also emphasize scrimmaging and game fundamentals in a developmentally appropriate manner.

Martial Arts

This safe, positive, and motivational adventure is designed to help your child increase physical, moral, and mental fitness, all while making new friends and having a great time! We cover all of the basic martial arts techniques and the basic life skills of respect, discipline, perseverance, and self-control.

Tennis Girl Pink Shorts

Tennis

Our Youth Tennis program offers lessons for kids ages 4 and up. Whether you’re learning the fundamentals, developing your skills or getting ready for a tournament, we have the perfect class for you!

Swimming

Children will learn swimming and water safety skills through enjoyable, engaging, and challenging activities that motivate them to want to learn to swim. Classes are 35-40 minutes in length and have small instructor-to-student ratios.

Gymnastics

At Kim’s Gym, we are more than just gymnastics. We are working to have a lasting influence that teaches kids to be caring, thoughtful, kind, and giving. There are multiple aspects of our community outreach program, Kim’s Gym Cares.

Ballet Austin @ the J

Join Ballet Austin @ the J for amazing classes for ages 18 months to 7 years old!

Meet the Athletics Leadership

Tommy Romano

ASSISTANT Athletics DIRECTOR

Coach Tommy Romano has been a basketball coach for the past decade at all levels and specializes in teaching shooting form and foundation to elementary and middle school students. He has coached at the international level (United States Basketball Academy-Kunming, China), collegiate (Pima College-Tucson, Arizona) and most recently at the Elementary/Middle School levels at St. Gabriel’s School in Austin. Romano is an Austin native and graduated from Westlake High School in 2007, where he earned academic all-state and all-district honors. “I am thrilled to bring my passion and energy to Shalom Austin. This program will specialize in teaching kids the proper way to shoot and train. Whether you are new to basketball and learning fundamentals or trying to improve your shot and make a team, this clinic will teach you how to train, and more importantly, have fun!”

Thomas Romano

Thomas Romano

Assistant Athletic Director

CONTACT US