Upcoming Events
No events are currently scheduled. Please check this page again as we will post the dates for upcoming events as soon as they are decided.
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Training and Certification Process
Interested In Coaching?
Mark Wise
Director of Training and Volunteer Management
302-831-4669 or mwise@udel.edu
Coaches
Current or former high school or college player? Pure lover of sport? Over 300 Delaware residents have made the decision to enrich a Special Olympics athlete's life by becoming a certified coach. An additional 200 Delawareans serve in coaching capacities throughout the state. Come join us and get inspired!
Coaches are the key to a successful sports experience for the Special Olympics athlete. Please view the complete list of Sports.
Coaching Opportunities
Head Coach
Within one year of becoming involved as a coach, undergoes classroom and hands on training and certification process, , designed specifically for the needs of an athlete with an intellectually disability. For complete details on the certification process, please contact us.
- Attends all sports meetings pertaining to specific sports
- Primary contact person for sport.
- Maintains athletes' records and completes registration process for competition.
- Works with Special Olympics staff to select training site and time.
- Organizes practices with other coaches and all athletes.
- Attends competitions with the athletes.
- Assesses each athlete to determine skill level for competition and training.
- Develops eight- to ten-week training program for each athlete including fundamental skills, conditioning, and rules.
- Has complete knowledge and abides by Sports Rules of Special Olympics.
- Liaison for upcoming Coaches Training and Certification schools, encourages assistant coaches to become certified.
Assistant Coach
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Undergoes one-day certification within his/her sport within one year of becoming involved as a coach.
- Assist in assesses each athlete to determine skill level for competition and training.
- Assist in developing eight- to ten-week training program for each athlete including fundamental skills, conditioning, and rules.
- Attends competitions with the athletes.
- Has knowledge and abides by Sports Rules of Special Olympics.
Sport Volunteer
- Is not required to become certified, helps out with practices.
- Assists coach with assessing athlete skills.
- Not necessarily expert in sport but comes to practice 75% of the time.
- Does not travel to competitions unless asked by head coach.