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    Get Involved

    As a Coach

    Coach a local Special Olympics team

    When you become a Special Olympics coach or assistant coach, you will find the rewards go far beyond the finish line. You will help athletes discover their physicals kills, self-worth, courage, and capacity to grow. Coaching is one of the most important and rewarding volunteer roles in Special Olympics. That is why 1,600 men and women in Massachusetts choose to donate their time and talents to the athletes of Special Olympics Massachusetts as coaches.

    Requirements

    The age requirement for becoming a head coach with Special Olympics is 18 and 16 for an assistant coach. Just like any other sports organization, coaches are responsible for helping with all aspects of the team, including:

    • Attending pre-season coaches meetings.
    • Assisting with recruiting athletes, partners, and additional volunteers.
    • Maintaining athlete records and registrations.
    • Developing an 8-10 week practice schedule for the season.
    • Conducting well organized practices.
    • Attending sectional and state-level competitions with your team.
    • Have a working knowledge of your sport and abide by the sports rules of Special Olympics.

    Athlete and coach talking.

    All coaches are required to complete a Class A volunteer form. Individuals over the age of 18 are required to provide their social security number as they are CORI and background checked to ensure the safety and well being of Special Olympics athletes.

    Individuals under 18 are required to have two non-family members write recommendations for them. These forms can be provided to interested coaches after we locate a coaching opportunity for them.

    All additional Special Olympics MA coaching resources can be found on our Resources for Coaches and Local Programs page.

    How to Get Involved

    Please see our current and upcoming head coach and assistant coach volunteer needs in the two sections below.  If these positions don’t match your interests and availability, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form  and we will email you with additional volunteer opportunities in your area.

    Head Coach and Assistant Coach Volunteer Positions: Winter Season (December-March)

    Head Coach positions (must be 18 years or older):

    Basketball Head Coach needed in Leominster

    • Season is December through March 11th.
    • Practices are Sundays 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Leo’s Parish School in Leominster.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

     Basketball Head Coach needed in Worcester

    Basketball Head Coach needed in Southborough

    • Season is December through March 11th.
    • Practices are Saturdays 10:00am-11:00am in Southborough.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Basketball Head Coach needed in Concord

    Basketball Head Coach needed in Springfield

    • Season is December through March 11th.
    • Practice time and location flexible based on your schedule.
    • The head coach will also assist as the Local Program Coordinator.
    • Please contact Terry Keilty at TERRY.KEILTY@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Basketball Head Coach needed in Foxborough

    • Season is December through March 11th.
    • Practices are Wednesday evenings at Mass Premier Courts in Foxborough.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Basketball Head Coach needed in New Bedford

    • Season is December through March 11th.
    • Practices held Saturdays 9:00am-11:00am at Dennison Memorial Community Center in New Bedford.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Bowling Head Coaches needed in New Bedford

    • Season is December through March 11th.
    • Practices held Saturdays 2:00pm-3:30pm at Wonderbowl in New Bedford.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Assistant Coach Positions (must be 16 years or older):

    Swimming Assistant Coach needed in Wenham

    • Season is now through March, with flexible commitment dates.
    • Practices are Saturdays 5:30pm-7:30pm at Gordon College in Wenham.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Basketball Assistant Coach needed in Andover

    Basketball Assistant Coaches needed in Leominster

    • Season is December through March 11th.
    • Practices held Sundays 2:30-4:00pm at St. Leo’s Parish School Gym in Leominster.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Basketball Assistant Coach needed in Worcester

    Basketball Assistant Coach needed in North Andover

    • Season is December through March 11th.
    • Practices held Thursdays 7:00pm-8:00pm in North Andover.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Basketball Assistant Coach needed in New Bedford

    • Season is December through March 11th.
    • Practices held Saturdays 9:00am-11:00am at Dennison Memorial Community Center in New Bedford.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Skiing Assistant Coach needed in Canton

    • Season is December through March.
    • Practices held Sundays 1:00pm-4:00pm at Blue Hills in Canton.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Alpine Ski Assistant Coaches needed in Westford

    • Season is December through March.
    • Practices held Sundays 2:00pm – 4:00pm and/or Tuesdays 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Nashoba Valley in Westford.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Bowling Assistant Coach needed in Raynham

    • Season is December through March 11th.
    • Practices held Mondays 4:00pm-5:00pm in at Ryan Family Amusement in Raynham.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Upcoming Head Coach and Assistant Coach Volunteer Positions: Spring Season (March-June)

    Head Coach positions (must be 18 years or older):

     Volleyball Head Coach needed in Hanover

    • Season is March through June 10th.
    • Practices held Thursdays 6:00pm-7:30pm at Hanover High School in Hanover.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Volleyball Head Coach needed in New Bedford

    • Season is March through June 10th.
    • Practices held Saturdays 9:00am-11:00am at Dennison Memorial Community Center in New Bedford.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Assistant Coach Positions (must be 16 years or older):

     Gymnastics Assistant Coach needed in Cambridge

    • Season is March through June 10th.
    • Practices held Saturdays 2:30pm-4:00pm at MIT DuPont Gymnasium in Cambridge.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

     Volleyball Assistant Coach needed in New Bedford

    • Season is March through June 10th.
    • Practices held Saturdays 9:00am-11:00am at Dennison Memorial Community Center in New Bedford.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.