​​When does registration open?

Registration opens on Saturday March 1st, 2025 at 12:01 a.m.

 

Who is eligible to participate in the Games?

All participants must be 50 years old on or before December 31st, 2025 to be eligible to play in our Games. There is no upper age limit for our athletes.

 

How much does it cost to register for the Games?

There is a $60 individual registration fee for each athlete.

In addition to the registration fee, athletes will pay a sport fee that ranges between $7.50-$20 for each sporting event they participate in.

 

There are no team fees, but captains/capos must register their teams in our system.

 

What do the fees pay for?

Registration and sporting event fees help defray the costs of organizing the Games, renting venues, providing portable restrooms and sanitation services, paying for liability insurance, an on-site EMT, officials, medals, snacks and water, sports equipment, t-shirts, permits and sanctioning, and staff salaries.

 

What happens after I register online?

Once you’ve completed your online registration, a confirmation email is sent to you. If you haven’t received one within a few minutes of registration please check your junk and/or spam folders.  Your confirmation notice is your proof of registration and payment for a given tournament/meet.

 

Can I mail in my registration?

We do not accept mail-in registrations. If you are having trouble using our online system, please contact the Games Coordinator, Coby LaFayette at 707-525-0143, ext. 117 or at clafayette@councilonaging.com

 

What if I want to participate in more than one sport on the same day?

We do not recommend this. Venues are far apart and parking is limited at many of our sites.

 

I’m playing in a doubles competition. How does my partner register?

Each partner in a doubles team must register as an individual and write in the full name of his/her partner in the space provided. If you do not yet have a partner, leave this space blank. You can go back later and fill it in.

 

As a rule, we do not find partners for our pickleball and table tennis players. However, our sports commissioners for these two tournaments will sometimes help match up unpartnered players.

 

How do I register a team?

Team captains/capos can register their team here: https://winecountrygames.seniorgamesregistration.com/

 

Once registered, the team will be assigned an ID#. The team captain/capo will receive that number from our registration system by email. He/she can forward that number on to team members for use during their individual registration.

 

I want to play a team sport, but don’t have a team, what can I do?

Contact the Games Coordinator, Coby LaFayette at 707-525-0143, ext. 117 or clafayette@councilonaging.com

 

She will reach out to the sports commissioner of the event you are interested in participating in to see if he/she can assist you.

 

How do I contact a sports commissioner?

The best way to get to a sports commissioner is through the Games Coordinator, Coby LaFayette. She can be reached at 707-525-0143, ext. 117 or clafayette@councilonaging.com

 

How are age groups determined?

In general, groups or divisions follow the standard set by the National Senior Games Association (NSGA). NSGA’s divisions are grouped in 5-year increments: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, etc.

 

However, sports commissioners may use their discretion to combine age groups as needed to promote competition.

 

How are medals awarded?

Medals are awarded to the top three individual finishers in those divisions with registered athletes.

Table tennis and pickleball doubles teams receive medals for the top three finishers in those divisions with registered teams.

Women’s soccer medals are awarded to the top three teams finishing in divisions with registered teams.

Lawn bowling and bocce do not award medals by age but by overall team placement:

1st,2nd, 3rd.

 

Medalists need to be on-site or arrange for someone to pick their medal/s up for them at the tournament/meet. We do not mail medals, nor do we allow them to be picked up at our office.

 

Where do I go to check in for my event?

Athletes check-in on-site at the location of their sporting event. Event location information is listed on your confirmation email. This information is also listed online: https://www.councilonaging.com/choose-a-sport

 

Locate the icon for the sport you are participating in and click on that icon. All of the most current information you need about check-in (and the tournament/meet) will be on the sport page.

 

Plan to arrive at least one hour prior to your first competition. This gives you time to find parking, check in, receive your t-shirt, and get oriented to the event site.

 

Is water or food provided?

Yes. Water, fruit, and healthy snacks are available at all sporting events for athletes, officiants, and volunteers.

 

Please bring a refillable water bottle. We do not provide single-use water bottles at any venue.

 

Do I need to bring equipment with me?

Athletes should plan on bringing their own equipment and wearing appropriate competition apparel.

Large teams, like women’s soccer, should plan to wear a team identifier, usually a numbered jersey of like-color and style. For smaller teams like bocce and lawn bowling, like-colored t-shirts are fine.

 

Equipment exception: game balls are provided for both our table tennis and pickleball tournaments.

 

Where are the Games held?

Games are held throughout the city of Santa Rosa and in Rohnert Park. Site locations for each competition can be found on our Master Schedule at:

https://www.councilonaging.com/master-schedule

 

You can also find this information at: https://www.councilonaging.com/choose-a-sport

 

How can I find out who I am competing with?

We do not share individual sport competition details. However, after April 1st, team members can monitor team sign-ups here: https://www.councilonaging.com/registered-teams

 

When does registration close?

Registration for all sports except pickleball will close on Friday, May 23rd at 11:59 p.m.

Registration for pickleball closes one week later, on Friday, May 30th at 11:59 p.m.

 

What is the refund policy?

Refunds must be requested at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the sporting event for which the athlete is registered.

 

Please contact the Games Coordinator to request a refund: Coby LaFayette at 707-525-0143, ext. 117 or clafayette@councilonaging.com

 

Can my family and friends come watch me compete?

Yes. Family and friends are encouraged to spectate. There is no cost for this. That being said, both our table tennis and pickleball venues have limited space for spectating and parking is extremely limited. For your own comfort, consider bringing a camp chair, sun protection, snacks and water to whatever sport you plan on watching.

 

Are the Sonoma Wine Country Games a qualifying meet?

No. Our Games are not qualifiers for any of the sports offered.

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Where can I get answers to any other questions I have about the Games?

Contact the Games Coordinator, Coby LaFayette at 707-525-0143, ext. 117 or clafayette@councilonaging.com

 

About “Fair Play.”

We convene our Games around the spirit of “friendly competition.” We are very protective of that spirit for the sake of our athletes and because we want everyone competing to have a good time.

 

Therefore, any behavior on the part of a competitor that is deemed inappropriate may result in immediate disqualification and/or removal of that athlete from competition. A call to disqualify or remove an athlete from play will be made by the presiding sports commissioner. Fees paid by that athlete will not be refunded.

 

Non-athletes misbehaving or disrupting play will be asked to leave by either the sports commissioner or a representative of the Council on Aging. The truly unruly will be put on a list. Really.

 

We are serious about fair play and hope you will join us in keeping that spirit alive at our Games!

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