SPECIAL OLYMPICS WASHINGTONAlex RiderSr. Manager of Volunteers – arider@sowa.org

SPECIAL OLYMPICS MISSION: To provide year-round sports training andathletic competition in a variety of Olympic-typesports for children and adults with intellectualdisabilities, giving them continuing opportunitiesto develop physical fitness, demonstratecourage, experience joy and participate in asharing of gifts, skills and friendship with theirfamilies, other Special Olympics athletes and thecommunity.

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What Makes Special Olympics Unique?

• Programing available for all ages

• Open to all ability levels

• Free for participants

• Unified Model

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SOWA Sports By Season

Year round sports training and competition divided into 4 seasons. Each culminate in a state wide, championship event. Winter Season (January-March)— Alpine, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Speed Skating, Figure Skating, Competitive Cheerleading, Basketball

Spring Season (March-June)— Soccer, Aquatics, Cycling, Athletics

Summer Season (June-August)— Bocce, Softball, Golf, Paddle Boarding, Rowing, Tennis

Fall Season (September-January)— Bowling, Flag Football, Volleyball, Gymnastics

Washington State

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17,000 athletes29 Olympic-type sports offered10,000 coaches and volunteers60,000 unique website views/year11,000 social media followersYear round competition split into 4 seasons.

It costs approximately $650 for one athlete to train and compete in one sport of their choice for one year.

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2019-2020 Focus

Volunteer Education: Recruit and train coaches

March 2019 World Games in Abu Dhabi

Expand competition opportunities: emphasis on smaller events more often

Elevate quality of competition

Expand Health and Wellness Initiatives

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Healthy Athletes

Dedicated to providing health services and education to Special Olympics athletes, and change the way health systems interact with people with intellectual disabilities.

H.A. Initiatives – Healthy Feet, Healthy Hearing, MedFest, Opening Eyes, Special Smiles, Fun Fitness, Health Promotion

Volunteer Opportunities Include:• Clinical Directors• General Volunteers

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Young Athletes

Young Athletes is an 8 week sports and play program for children ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Developed by physical therapists, this program shows an average of 7 months of gross motor skills improvement.

Unified Schools – From Birth to Adulthood

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Young Athletes

Community-based Unified Sports, Volunteer and Leadership opportunities

Unified Schools

SO College

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Getting Involved

Volunteer at Events

Take on an Ongoing Role: Become a coach, games management team member, an area leadership team member and more!

Sponsor an event

Donate

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Volunteering withSOWA: Events

Year-round opportunities available seasonally.

Great for groups of all sizes to get involved

Easy online registration

Volunteers 11 or older welcome

Instant impact! Volunteering allows you to show up, meet athletes and make a difference right away.

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Volunteering withSOWA: Ongoing RolesWays to get more involved and make a difference in programing and athlete experience.Become a…COACHAREA LEADERGAMES MANAGERMENTORCLINICAL DIRECTORYOUNG ATHLETES COACHOFFICIAL

Learn more about how to get involved:http://specialolympicswashington.org/volunteer/volunteer_roles/

Thank you for supporting Special Olympics Washington