Special Olympics - Approved
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The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
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Precious Offu
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10-01-2018
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06-27-2023
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06-13-2024
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How To Contact
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General Questions
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Danielle Powers
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3480 Buskirk Avenue
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Suite 340
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Pleasant Hill
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CA
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More Information
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06-27-2023
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06-27-2024
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free
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0.00
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Special Olympics Northern CA
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94523
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Helpful Links
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Detailed Information
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Special Olympics is a global organization that serves athletes with intellectual disabilities working with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and coaches each year. Since the establishment of Special Olympics in 1968, the number of people with and without intellectual disabilities who are involved with the organization has been growing, but the unmet need to reach more people with intellectual disabilities is staggering.
It’s at the local level--right here--where interested volunteers meet the athletes. That’s where the perceptions start to change and where the miracle of transformation takes place.
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.
Activities and events are held locally in 43 counties throughout the year for ages 6 to 65+. Athletes must be at least 8 years old to compete (6 and 7 may train only). Teams practice 1-2 times per week, typically in the evening or on the weekend, for 6-8 weeks before a regional competition, and schedules vary by county and team. All programs are offered at no cost to athletes or their families. Please see below for an Athlete Application and seasonal deadlines, along with information about our four sports seasons and how to register for available sports. Contact us at letsplay@sonc.org with any questions.
1. Fill out athlete application form https://www.sonc.org/athletes
2. Fill out communicable disease waiver
3. Register for a specific sport for the season
HOW TO REGISTER:
Apply and be approved OR have a current, approved application on file with SONC on or before the season deadline (see "Sports Offered" below). Athlete Applications are valid for three years based on the earlier date of the physical exam or release signature.
Complete the Communicable Disease Waiver. This form only needs to be completed ONCE. If an athlete previously completed the COVID-19 Waiver and Participant Code of Conduct Form, they do NOT need to complete the Communicable Disease Waiver.
If you are unsure of your Athlete Application and/or Waiver status, please check your application status, before submitting an Athlete Application or Communicable Disease Waiver.
Register for available sports using our Athlete Sports Registration Process.
The coach of the team for which you registered will contact you within 10 business days of the close of registration.
STEPS TO DO TO APPLY AND BECOME A SPECIAL ATHLETE:
View the list of sports available in your county at our Find a Program page.
Complete the Athlete Application (sections A-G) via DocuSign. If you need assistance, email us at LetsPlay@sonc.org. If you are not able to use DocuSign, request a PDF version here.
Note: once completing sections A-G, you will need to print Page 4 for a medical clearance in Section H.
Schedule a physical exam with a licensed medical examiner to have them complete Section H (Page 4), making sure they complete the signature and date fields.
Submit your completed Athlete Application, including the signed and dated Section H, by one of the following methods:
Option #1 (Preferred)
Option #2
Email (a scanned version is best): AthleteApplication@sonc.org
Option #3
Fax: 925-887-6569
Option #4
Mail to:
Special Olympics Northern California
Attn: Athlete Application
3480 Buskirk Ave., Suite #340
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523Your application will be reviewed and you will be contacted for questions or missing information. Once approved, you will receive an approval email with next steps. Please DO NOT attend practice until your application has been approved, and you have been notified by SONC and you have registered (see Step 6).
Register for available sports using our Athlete Sports Registration Process.
Sign up to receive information about our Virtual Health & Wellness @ Home program and join our Zoom sessions.
Only applicable for athletes who have been referred for an additional exam by the medical examiner
Emergency Medical Care Refusal Form
Use this form if you have religious or other objections to Emergency Medical Treatment
SPORTS OFFERED:
Winter (January – March)
Basketball
Register between November 15 – December 10 of the previous year
Spring (March – June)
Bocce, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field
Register between February 1 – 28
Summer
Softball (June – August)
Golf (July – September)
Register between May 15 – June 10
Fall
Unified Flag Football, Soccer (August - November)
Register between July 15 – August 15
Bowling (September – December)
Register between July 15 – August 15
Floor Hockey (October – December)
Register between August 1 – 31
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Eligibility Information
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- CA
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- Alameda County
- Amador County
- Butte County
- Calaveras County
- Colusa County
- Contra Costa County
- Del Norte County
- El Dorado County
- Fresno County
- Humboldt County
- Kings County
- Lake County
- Lassen County
- Madera County
- Marin County
- Mariposa County
- Mendocino County
- Merced County
- Monterey County
- Napa County
- Nevada County
- Placer County
- Plumas County
- Sacramento County
- San Benito County
- San Francisco County
- San Joaquin County
- San Mateo County
- Santa Clara County
- Santa Cruz County
- Shasta County
- Siskiyou County
- Solano County
- Sonoma County
- Stanislaus County
- Sutter County
- Tehama County
- Tulare County
- Tuolumne County
- Yolo County
- Yuba County
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- All Age Groups
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- English
- Spanish
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Files
