Coaches

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Special Olympics Oregon Coach:

Who does Special Olympics serve? Special Olympics serves individuals ages 8 and older who have intellectual disabilities.

What would I do as a coach? As a Head Coach, you would oversee training sessions one to two times per week, one to two hours in duration, for an eight- to 10-week period. You would be responsible for teaching sports skills to athletes, working with Assistant Coaches, submitting competition registration materials, and chaperoning athletes during travel to two to three competitions each season. As an Assistant Coach, you would provide assistance as directed by the Head Coach and provide supervision during travel to two to three competitions each season.

How much time is involved in coaching? Depending on the sport(s) you coach, practices are generally one to two hours in duration, held one to two times per week, for a period of eight to 10 weeks. One or two competition opportunities are provided on a weekend day, with State Games offered at the end of the season, usually taking place on a full weekend (Saturday and Sunday).

What sports are offered? Sports available may vary depending on your geographic location due to facility and coaching availability in your Local Program’s area. Special Olympics Oregon offers the following sports:

Winter Sports (December – March):

Alpine Skiing -Cross Country Skiing -Snowboarding -Snowshoeing –Basketball -Powerlifting

Spring/Summer Sports (April – July):

Athletics (Track & Field) -Bocce -Golf -Gymnastics -Softball

Fall Sports (August – November)

Aquatics -Bowling -Soccer -Volleyball

Will I receive training before I coach? Training is available in several ways. If you have a high level of sports experience, we offer a helpful three-hour course entitled “Coaching the Special Olympics Athlete.” If you have limited sports experience, we offer a one-day training school for your sport. You’ll learn tips and training techniques for running effective training sessions.

How do I sign up to coach? Contact your Local Program. You can find their information on our website at www.soor.org. Click on “Get Involved Locally” and select your area to see the phone number and e-mail address of your Local Program. Local Programs are led by a team of volunteers. By getting in touch with your Local Program, you’ll learn what sports are offered and how to get started locally. Before you can begin, there are three steps you’ll be asked to complete:
1.) Submit a Class A Volunteer Application Form (this can be done online).
2.) Agree to allow Special Olympics Oregon to conduct a criminal background check.
3.) Complete a General Orientation and Protective Behaviors session (this can be done online).
Your Local Program will give you instructions on how to complete the above requirements.

Why do I need a Volunteer Application? The application allows us to perform a criminal background check for the protection of all involved and provides us with your emergency contact information.

Will it cost me anything to coach? There is no cost incurred by you to volunteer. The costs associated with having a background check performed are paid by Special Olympics Oregon.

For more information on becoming a coach, contact:

SPECIAL OLYMPICS OREGON
503-248-0600
or visit: www.soor.org

Special Olympics Oregon Networking and Information Exchange for Families

Doug Trice, La Grande: Parents as well as athletes find a community through Special Olympics.

“Through Special Olympics, you meet other people who face the same challenges you do. You can’t do it alone sometimes. That support is vital,” says Special Olympics coach Doug Trice.

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