Athletes as Coaches, Roberta Blomster and
Katie Timmer with Mayor Rybak
volunteering at the 2005 Special Olympics
Minnesota Summer Games. |
Many Special Olympics athletes report that after years of being coached and competing in a given sport, they feel that they have a grasp of the fundamentals of the sport and that they might be able to teach that sport to other athletes. Sometimes they become assistant coaches, sometimes they just become the athlete that the coach knows he or she can call on to demonstrate a skill.
After years of participating in the same sports, many athletes report that they are looking for new activities and challenges. Allowing athletes the option to formally move into coaching gives them an opportunity to continue their involvement with Special Olympics in new and challenging ways. Athletes as coaches also provide a new source of reliable volunteers to help expand program offerings in sports that the athletes are most interested in. |
How can athletes as coaches help a Special Olympics program?
When communities and other athletes see Special Olympics athletes stepping up to Assistant Coach roles, they see Special Olympics as inclusive and cutting edge. When athletes see an opportunity to grow and take on new roles, they are more excited and engaged in Special Olympics.
For more information
Click here for overview and registration materials.
Heather Harmer, Initiatives Manager
612-604-1276 or 1-800-783-7732 ext. 276
harmerh@somn.org
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