Welcome to Special Olympics Buncombe County!
Special Olympics Buncombe County is sponsored by Buncombe County Recreation Services and serves nearly 480 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the county. Training and competitive programs are offered in 11 sports and Young Athletes.
Learn more about the Special Olympics Buncombe County Spring Games >>
Special Olympics Buncombe County offers sports training and competition for individuals with an intellectual disability ages 8 and up. Young Athletes programming is available for children ages 2-7.
Documentation Needed to Participate
Coaching Special Olympics athletes may be one of the most rewarding things you do! We provide all the training necessary to help you and the athletes succeed! Coaches must be at least 18 years old. Learn more about becoming a coach.
Coach resources
Special Olympics North Carolina offers training and competition in 20 Olympic-type sports. See the sports here. Local program sport offerings vary based on athlete interest, coaches and facility availability. To find out what sports are offered by this program, contact the local program coordinator.
Are you interested in having a Special Olympics athlete at your event or meeting? There are two Athlete Leadership roles that you can request!
Global Messengers
Global Messengers are Special Olympics athletes who have been trained in public speaking to serve as ambassadors for the organization. They can recruit potential athletes, volunteers and sponsors through public presentations.
Athlete Ambassadors
Athlete Ambassadors are representatives for Special Olympics North Carolina at functions that often have businesses or individuals that have donated money, food, etc. to Special Olympics NC and this is a way to thank them. Ambassadors are able to say thank you and show our appreciation while at events.
To schedule a Global Messenger or Athlete Ambassador appearance, please contact the local coordinators.
Since athletes never pay a fee to participate in Special Olympics, donations and sponsorships allow our program to purchase seasonal sport equipment, pay facility rental fees, purchase uniforms, and pay for travel (hotels, competition registration fees, etc.). Contact us if you are interested in being a sponsor of our program. We would love your support!
Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools bring youth with and without intellectual disabilities together through sports and education to create school communities of acceptance and respect. Unified Champion Schools are seen through every level of education (Pre-K/Head Start through college) and are driven by youth and staff leaders.
Volunteer in Buncombe County!
Volunteers are a vital part of Special Olympics. From helping with fundraising activities to assisting at practices, volunteers are always welcome and appreciated! Volunteers must be at least 14 years old.
If you are interested in coaching with Special Olympics Buncombe County, please contact buncombe@sonc.net.
Get in touch with us!
Local Program Co-Coordinators
Lynn Pegg and Mac Stanley
Email: buncombe@sonc.net
Community Resource Director – West
Courtney Gibson
919-719-7662 ext. 106
VP of Community Resources
Lindsay Waldron
704-358-1935 ext. 161