Summer season athletes persevere with their personal best in their quest for the top spot in their division!

The summer season ends with record participation as 1,113 athletes trained, 855 competed in assessment rounds, and 763 advanced to summer games in athletics, gymnastics, power lifting, tennis, and volleyball sports. A fantastic Opening Ceremonies with a powerful Law Enforcement Torch Run opened the games and special events like the BBQ and Dance added additional celebration to their weekend. Check out the competition results here!
Young Athlete Day hosted by Worcester State College!

Worcester State College hosted a Special Olympics MA Young Athletes Day! Athletes ages 2.5 – 7 enjoyed various stations of sports play activities and were awarded medals at the end of the event. The weather was perfect and everyone had a great time. We would like to thank the Worcester State College nursing students who volunteered to hold the event and the families and athletes who participated! Click here for more photos.
 
New programs for young children ages 2 to 8; SOMA West partners with Springfield JCC and YMCA!

Two Young Athletes programs were piloted this spring with great success at the Greater Springfield Jewish Community Center and the Scantic Valley Branch of the Springfield YMCA. Children ages 2 to 7 participated group play activities that develop individual skills for future sports participation. If you'd like to find or start a Young Athlete Program in your area, please contact Jocelyn DeBlois at 413-747-8946.

Greater Springfield Global Messengers graduate and address audience at Springfield Technical Community College!

The theatre at Scibelli on the Springfield Technical Community College was the setting for the first annual Global Messenger graduation ceremony! Six athletes from the greater springfield and Northampton area celebrated the completion of a Toastmasters’ mini-course in public speaking , Speech Crafters, by giving their very first Global messenger speech in front of an eager and appreciative audience of friends, family, coaches, board members and Special Olympics MA supporters! Click here to see photos from the event! Want to be a global messenger too? Check back here to register for the 2009 Greater Springfield class!

Four new schools systems join the SOMA West School Day Games program!

 The West section welcomes four new school systems to our School Day Games programs - Marlborough, Douglas, North Berkshires County, and Quabbin/Quaboag! Contact your school to get involved today!
Families in Focus: June 24 SOMA Families Committee Meeting in Springfield!

 The first quarterly Families Committee meeting will be held Tuesday, June 24th from 4-6 pm at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center in West Springfield. This is a great opportunity to share ideas and learn more about current and new programs within Special Olympics Massachusetts – and meet Virginia Davidson, SOMA Board Member and Chair of the Families Committee. For more information, please call Jocelyn at 413-747-8946 or contact via email Jocelyn.Deblois@specialolympics.org RSVP to Jocelyn by June 17th.
Big Y contributes proceeds from 2008 Paul H. D'Amour Golf Outing!

The SOMA West Section was one of the chosen beneficiaries of the 2008 Big Y Paul H. D'Amour Memorial Charity Golf Outing. $5,000 dollars will be donated to support competition and training for athletes from Natick to the Berkshires. Thank you Big Y!

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Gear up for August Sports!
Bocce, Cycling, Golf, Fishing, and Softball
 Click here for a list of the August Sports west section teams, their practice schedules and contacts.


Upcoming Competition Dates
   

July 12 -Cycling Assessment Round,
Tercentennial Park, Framingham

July 12 -Softball and Bocce Assessment Round,
Szot Park, Chicopee

July 13 -Golf Assessment Round,
Pine Ridge Country Club, Oxford

August 8 - 10: August Tournament
UMass Amherst and surrounding areas

Check out our full calendar of competition and fundraising dates!

Want to Ride?!?!!!!



Project Ride is giving away 30 Modified Trikes
for children ages 6 – 12! Apply today!
Click here for more information
 
 
  Message Board

06/27/2008:

Greater Springfield Bocce Starts Tuesday June 17th at Szot Park in Chicopee  -  Athletes can sign up for session one 4:30-6:00pm or session two 6:00-7:30pm. To sign up for, please click here to get the team contact information.

Have you been looking for a program where your 2.5 to 8 year old can learn and practice coordination, balance, gain strength and just have fun with peers? s? Then the Young Athlete Program for children with intellectual disabilities is for you!

Young Athlete Program at the Springfield JCC

>Young Athlete Program at the Springfield YMCA

>Young Athlete Day at Worcester State - Saturday, April 19th!Register today to participate.

Looking for some coaching tips? Try the coaching guides for your sport available to download or print via the Special Olympics MA Coach Corner website.