Game On: Learn about the divisioning process that differentiates Special Olympics from other sport organizations.
Individual Performance Competition is available for athletes just starting out in cheerleading, or for programs without adequate numbers to form a team. Athletes have two and on-half minutes to complete a routine, and music is allowed.
Team Competition is offered in the traditional and Unified Sports models in four different categories. Criteria and restrictions for each category are found within the SONC Cheerleading Rules. All categories allow (but do not require) music, and teams have two and one-half minutes to complete their routine.
Click here to find your coach certification status.
Always communicate with your local coordinator if you are interested in submitting registration for an event.
Cheerleading Tournament/Invitational Registration Forms
Local program coordinators should submit entries along with the remainder of the Cheerleading Tournament registration. Click here for a full list of Cheerleading Tournament registration forms. These forms will be available closer to the event date.
2020 Special Olympics Henderson County Invitational
Henderson County is hosting a cheerleading invitational on Saturday, February 15, 2020! This invitational is open to any counties that wish to attend. Individual performance athletes as well as traditional and Unified teams, both small and large, are welcome to attend. This event will be held at West Henderson High School located at 3600 Haywood Road, Hendersonville, NC 28791. Registration is now open and will remain open until Tuesday, January 28, 2020. Registration and questions can be submitted to Paige Allen.
2020 SONC Cheerleading Tournament
SONC Cheerleading Tournament will be held March 21, 2020, in Mocksville.
Many Special Olympics North Carolina cheerleading teams compete in local non-Special Olympics cheerleading competitions, and we encourage this participation! Teams are welcome to ask their competition management if they can be scored on the SONC scoresheet in order to help them prepare for state-level competition.
Cheer LTD Nationals at CANAM – this is a non-Special Olympics event, but many teams from SONC participate in the Special Needs division.
Invitationals
Athletes and Unified partners also have the opportunity and are encouraged to participate in various local invitationals. Check the cheerleading sport calendar for upcoming invitationals being hosted by local programs.
Local programs are also encouraged to host and invite neighboring counties to participate in invitationals, scrimmages, or leagues. Click here for some basic steps on how to get started. If you are interested in hosting an invitational you can also contact the sports department at sports@sonc.net.
About Cheerleading: Cheerleading used to be a stand-alone event before joining Summer Games.
Differences of Special Olympics North Carolina Cheerleading:
History: Special Olympics North Carolina first offered Cheerleading in 2006.
By the Numbers:
- 2016 was the first year cheerleading joined Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games.
Sport Development Teams (SDT) are responsible for assisting with local and state-level programs and competition, educating coaches and officials, and promoting active engagement among athletes throughout the year. Click here for more information.
Aimee Barnett-Vetter
Cornelius
Certified Clinicians receive additional training in presentational skills to conduct training schools in their community. In order to become a Certified Clinician one must have a Special Olympics North Carolina level 2 sport certification in this sport.
For more information on becoming an SDT member or a Certified Clinician, contact sports@sonc.net.
