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What is Special Olympics? Who is eligible? How does an athlete register to participate? What sports are offered at Special Olympics? What is Unified Sports®? Does Special Olympics offer programs for athletes of all levels and abilities? How much does it cost to participate in Special Olympics? Does Special Olympics need volunteers? How do you sign up to be a volunteer with Special Olympics? Commonly Asked Coaching and Volunteer Questions What is the minimum age for a coach? What volunteer opportunities are available for minor (under age 18) volunteers? Can an athlete be coached by a family member? Can all coaches be left alone with athletes? How does a coach become certified? What is Special Olympics? Special Olympics is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people eight years of age and older with developmental disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Who is eligible? Special Olympics is open to every developmentally disabled person, regardless of the level or degree of that person's disability, and whether or not that person also has other mental/physical disabilities. Each athlete must register to participate in Special Olympics as required by the General Rules. There is no maximum age limitation for participation. How does an athlete register to participate? A simple medical and release form is required of each athlete. A physician signs the medical form and the guardian of a minor athlete or the adult athlete signs the release form. Once these forms are on file in the Special Olympics office, the athlete may begin attending practice in his/her preferred sport. Please contact us for an Athlete Registration form. What sports are offered at Special Olympics? Special Olympics Nevada offers aquatics, athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, cycling, floor hockey, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, roller skating, sailing, skiing (cross-country and downhill), soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. We also offer Unified Sports® in basketball. Some counties and/or areas may offer a slightly different variety of sports, based on athlete interest and facility availability. Please view our complete list of sports in our chapter. What is Unified Sports®? Unified Sports® is a team experience that combines approximately equal numbers of athletes with and without developmental disabilities of similar age and ability. With the help of a volunteer coach, athletes train together year-round in a variety of sports after school or on weekends. Unified Sports is a school-based program spearheaded by either adaptive physical education or special education teachers. It joins together a school's special education students with their non-developmentally disabled elementary, junior high, or high school peers through competitive sports competitions. Non-developmentally disabled students not only participate in the sports but can help out with coaching and organizing as a way of fulfilling volunteer or community service commitments. Only a few hours together a week gives everyone a chance to develop sports skills, build new relationships, break down traditional barriers, and reap the benefits of coming together as one team. Does Special Olympics offer programs for athletes of all levels and abilities? Special Olympics prides itself on providing programs for each skill level. The traditional Special Olympics program creates competition environments based on each athlete's abilities by creating heats, or competition groups, based on preliminary scores and times. This ensures that athletes compete based on skill, age and gender. For athletes with severe disabilities, we offer a Motor Activities Training Program that emphasizes training and participation rather then competition. How much does it cost to participate in Special Olympics? All Special Olympics programs are free to eligible athletes and are possible thanks to the generous support from individuals and businesses that believe in Special Olympics athletes. Special Olympics receives no federal funds and is supported, almost exclusively, from individuals, organizations, corporations and foundations. Does Special Olympics need volunteers? YES! More than 14,000 volunteers participate in our year round local programs. Volunteers are the lifeblood of Special Olympics Nevada. They serve as coaches, officials, trainers, directors and a variety of other valuable roles. Whether it's a few hours per week, once a month or once a year, what volunteers give to Special Olympics is priceless. They energize our program every day and, in return, they gain their own rewarding experience. How do you sign up to be a volunteer with Special Olympics? A Volunteer Application is required of each volunteer. Once that is on file with the Special Olympics office, and a background check is completed, the volunteer may begin working in his/her preferred area. We also offer a general orientation session for new volunteers on a quarterly basis. Please contact us for an Volunteer Application form. COMMONLY ASKED COACHING AND VOLUNTEER QUESTIONS What is the minimum age for a coach? Coaches can be certified at age 16; however, all Head Coaches must be at least 18 years old. What volunteer opportunities are available for minor (under age 18) volunteers? Volunteers that are at least 16 years old can be certified in any Special Olympics sport. Volunteers that are younger than 16 can provide coaching assistance and event and competition support under the supervision of a parent, guardian or certified head coach or assistant coach. Can an athlete be coached by a family member? Absolutely. Special Olympics is dependent on the families of the athletes for a variety of volunteer positions. The age restrictions noted above apply to all family coaches. Can all coaches be left alone with athletes? Only Head Coaches may be left alone with up to four athletes; however, certified coaches under the age of 18 can only be left alone with one athlete. Also, please use common sense when leaving any athletes alone with coaches at any time. The Head Coach should be consulted in any new or unusual circumstances. How does a coach become certified? To become a certified coach for Special Olympics Nevada, the following must be completed:
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