Become a Coach!
Become a Coach!
Coaches make a huge difference in our athletes lives!
We’re always looking for more volunteers to dedicate time to help coach. Don’t have sport experience but want to help? Come be an assistant coach! We’ve got a place for everyone. Please note, all coaches must be able to pass a background check.
Time Commitment:
One or two practices a week (depends on the sport and facility)
Traveling with the team to Regionals towards the end of the season (usually local competitions around the Tri-Cities, Yakima, Sunnyside, etc.). This a one day event.
Traveling with the team to State Competitions if they qualify. This is one weekend at the end of the season. Transportation and lodging will all be provided.
All coaches, volunteers, and chaperones must complete a background check.
There is also additional online training for coaches.
“A good coach can change the game. A great coach can change a life.” – John Wooden
Why Coaching Matters
Coaches are vital to the success of Special Olympics. They teach our athletes new sports skills and help them take their abilities to new levels. Coaches also exemplify good sportsmanship and model character traits to enhance the sports experience for our athletes. The lessons our athletes learn from coaches – teamwork, self-discipline and confidence – impact them on and off the playing field.
Ready to join the Special Olympics team? Visit our registration portal to apply today! For more information or questions about the registration portal, please visit our Portal Resources page or email us at PortalSupport@sowa.org.
Coaches Education Program
Tier 1 – Sports Volunteer / Chaperone / Program Coordinators (Community and Unified)
The first step in our Coaches Education Program is the Sports Volunteer or Chaperone role for a team program. Any prospective coach needs to complete the following requirements must be cleared to be a chaperone with a team or an athlete. The basic requirements listed below screen and prepare volunteers to ensure our athletes’ safety, which is our number one priority. These items will only need to be completed once and should take less than 30 minutes in total with the exception of the background check which must be reprocessed every three years.
Background Check (every three years)
Class A Release of Liability Acknowledgement
Protective Behaviors Online Training
General Orientation Online Training
Code of Conduct Acknowledgement
Housing Policy Acknowledgement
Ready to join the Special Olympics team? Visit our registration portal to apply today! For more information or questions about the registration portal, please visit our Portal Resources page or email us at PortalSupport@sowa.org.
Tier 2 – Head Coach / Assistant Coach (Community and Unified)
The next step in our Coaches Education Program is Head Coach/Assistant Coach level. Anyone who wants to be a Head or Assistant Coach must complete all the requirements under Tier 1 in addition to the items listed below.
Tier 2 requirements are tailored to specific sport needs and may require in-person training. The in-person trainings allow for the development of skills and drills for a sport that coaches can bring back to their practice and games. Expect 1+ hours to complete the required online trainings and up to 4 hours for in-person trainings.. Please keep in mind that in-person trainings will be highly dependent on sport and venue availability.
Concussion Online Training
Coaching Unified Sports Online Training (Coming Soon!)
Sports-specific Online Training (1+ hours)
Sports-specific In-Person Training (up to 4 hours)
Ready to join the Special Olympics team? Visit our registration portal to apply today! For more information or questions about the registration portal, please visit our Portal Resources page or email us at PortalSupport@sowa.org.