Coaches

Coaches are the single most critical link in developing any athlete’s potential no matter the skill level. Coaches routinely enable Special Olympics athletes to unlock their potential as individuals and nurture both personal growth and athletic improvement. The foundation of the Special Olympics movement is based on the idea that each Special Olympics athlete has the ability to improve given the proper training and opportunity. Coaches provide these essentials by being role models who demonstrate the true spirit of sports. It is through the efforts of coaches that athletes reach an awareness of their own self worth, develop the requisite skills to play any sport, and demonstrate the courage necessary to compete on any level.

There are two types of Volunteer Coaches:

  1. Coach Affiliated With an Accredited School or Organization

    These individuals work within the school or organization and provide the athletes with instruction at their own facilities or at pre-determined training sessions provided by Special Olympics D.C. These training sessions generally take place from Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.

  2. Unaffiliated Volunteer Coach

    If an individual is available to coach during the day between the hours of 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, they are generally assigned to teach specific sports skills to various groups of Special Olympics athletes at a pre-determined training location. The majority of the athletes participating in these sports are youths.

    If an individual is available only in the evenings, he/she is generally assigned to work with a specific group of adults or a Unified Sports® team. All training and/or league play locations are established by Special Olympics D.C. The athletes participating in these sports range are adults of all ages.

Special Olympics D.C. Coaches

  • Help recruit athletes and assistant coaches, if working at a school or organization
  • Encourage confidence and self-esteem through sports
  • Assist athletes in learning sports skills and tactics needed for competitions
  • Demonstrate and enforce sportsmanship on and off the field of play

Requirements for a Special Olympics District of Columbia Coach