Young Athletes is an innovative sports/play program designed to introduce children, ages 2½ to 7, with intellectual disabilities, to the world of sports at an early age. Through the Young Athlete Program, a child acquires and improves fundamental skills such as walking and running, balancing and jumping, trapping and catching, throwing, striking and kicking. These building blocks result in notable improvements in a child’s motor skills, cognitive development, social skills, emotional development and communication skills. 

Young Athletes Program Highlights

• Groups meet minimally once a week to engage in physical activities and practice skills using balls, a balance beam, racquets, obstacle courses and more
• Activities are designed to be fun and playful, increasing a child’s interest and participation
• Program is flexible and can be used one-on-one at home, in the classroom or a community setting
• Activities are adaptable based on participants’ skill levels
• Parents and care-givers help facilitate their child’s involvement and learn activities to do at home
• Each group, school or in-home participant receives an easy to use Activity Guide, Training DVD and Equipment Kit, free of charge
• Groups are located throughout Arizona
• Parents and care-givers make meaningful connections and exchange valuable resources

Now, for the first time in Special Olympics Arizona’s history, families don’t have to wait until their child turns eight years old to begin developing basic skills, building relationships and celebrating accomplishments.

You can be a part of the Young Athletes Program in several ways:

• Become a Volunteer Trainer
• Start a Young Athletes play activities group in your community
• Connect with a group in your area
• Train your own Young Athlete at home
• Offer the Young Athletes Program in your Adapted PE or typical classroom

For more information, please contact us!

Tracy Roberts

Young Athletes Program Coordinator

602.476.0839

tracyr@soaz.org