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(ALPs) allow Special Olympics athletes to help shape the future
of the Special Olympics movement and ensure all people with intellectual
disabilities have the opportunity to participate in sports training
and competition that is fun and fair.
Some ALPs roles include:
- Serving on a local Games or organizing committee
- Serving as a spokesperson (Global Messenger)
- Serving as a team/sport captain
- Becoming a certified coach or official
For more information on these programs, contact Megan O'Donnell, vice president of communications for SONC.
Special Olympics Officials Program for Athletes (SOOPA) creates opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to become sports officials. Special Olympics athletes are held to the same standards as any other official performing the same task. The athlete must complete the officials' certification curriculum as created by the sport's National Governing Body and Special Olympics, Inc. Each sport may have separate and specific requirements.
Special Olympics athletes can become certified coaches and coach other Special Olympics athletes. Athletes may choose a sport they have participated in or are just interested in coaching.
As with all Special Olympics coaches, these athletes are encouraged to attend a Special Olympics, Inc. coaches training school in the particular sport they would coach. Special Olympics athletes who are coaches may train athletes within their community or may assist athletes at higher levels of competition such as invitationals or state-level competitions.
Through the Global Messenger Program, athletes are trained to be spokespersons for Special Olympics. Global Messengers are ambassadors for the organization and can recruit potential athletes, volunteers and sponsors through public presentations.
The Special Olympics North Carolina Athlete Council is comprised
of athletes from every area of the state who meet quarterly to give
input to the president of Special Olympics North Carolina on issues
in the movement.
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