Special Olympics Arizona offers 24 Olympic-type individual and team sports which  provide meaningful training and competition opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities, including age-appropriate activities and activities for lower ability athletes. For persons with severe limitations who do not yet possess the physical and/or behavioral skills necessary to participate in these sports, some Special Olympics Arizona areas also offers Motor Activity Training.  For full sports program descriptions scroll down. 

Special Olympics Arizona Sports:

Unique from other sports organizations, Special Olympics Arizona offers many types of athletic training to accommodate a wide range of athletic interest and ability levels.  They are as follows:

Unified Sports Training

Unified Sports teams are designed to integrate athletes with and without intellectual disabilities in training and competition programs as well as social activities. They give Special Olympics athletes the opportunity to participate in sports side by side with their non-disabled peers. These programs can be implemented in the schools, intramural leagues, or other community events. 

Traditional Team & Individual Sports Training

Traditional team and individual sports are any sport which is officially approved by Special Olympics Inc., such as basketball, softball, track and so on.  For a complete list of sports click here.    Special Olympics athletes train and compete in these individual or team sports with other Special Olympics athletes of similar age, gender and athletic capabilities.

Individual Skills Training

Individual Skills Training is a training program designed for lower ability athletes who have not yet developed the skills necessary to participate on a team.  The ultimate goal is to have the athlete work toward and prepare for team participation. The purpose of each event is to develop and measure an athlete’s skill in the particular task which is required to progress to the team sport level of training.

 

Motor Activities Training Program (MATP)

Offered in some areas, the MAT is designed for people with severe disabilities whose physical and/or behavioral limitations preclude participation in traditional team or individual sports training.  The emphasis is on participation of tasks rather than competition. The program is set up so people with severe disabilities can participate in appropriate recreational activities geared to their ability level.   This training is typically done on site at schools and large residential facilities. In school settings, this program can help physical education teachers, occupational/physical therapists, or teaching assistants to integrate students with severe disabilities into regular physical education classes. MATP will introduce athletes with severe disabilities to age-appropriate and functionally appropriate motor and sport activities. These activities include: mobility, dexterity, striking, kicking  and wheelchair activities.

Young Athlete Training

Special Olympics Arizona offers two training options for children who do not meet the age requirements of eligibility. 

Under 8, Can’t Wait

Our Under 8, Can’t Wait – Athlete Training Program is for children who are six and seven years old who “can’t wait” to begin their Special Olympics experience. The “Under 8” athlete(s) must meet all other eligibility requirements.  The Under 8 athlete(s) train in regularly scheduled practice sessions in sports such as bowling, track and field along with other Special Olympics athletes.   Then, along with other Special Olympics athletes, the Under 8 athlete is eligible to compete in a six and seven-year-old classification division at Area-Level competitions.  Once an athlete in the Under 8, Can’t Wait Training program becomes eight years of age, he/she is then eligible to advance to compete at state, national and international level competitions.  

Young Athletes

Special Olympics Arizona is proud to announce the initiation of this new and innovative sports play program for children with intellectual disabilities ages two through seven , designed strengthen physical development and self-esteem by building skills for future sports participation and socialization. Currently Young Athletes is under development, however we envision by late 2008 this will be available in all areas.