Get Involved as a Coach

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 physical skills, 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.

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 regional qualifying tournaments and the season-ending state tournament with your team.
Have a working knowledge of your sport and abide by the sports rules of Special Olympics.

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 Massachusetts 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 Special Olympics Massachusetts locates a coaching opportunity for them.

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: Fall Season (September-November)

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

Soccer Head Coaches needed in Reading

Season is in the fall, September through November 5th.
2 teams available. Practices are Sunday mornings, specific time TBD.
Please contact Terry Keilty at TERRY.KEILTY@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Soccer Head Coach needed in Barnstable

Season is in the fall, September through November 5th.
Practices are Sundays 9:00am-10:30am.
Please contact Meg Hoffman at MEGAN.HOFFMAN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Soccer Head Coach needed in Mansfield

Season is September through November 5th
Practices are Sunday mornings, time TBD
Please contact Donna St. Onge at DONNA.STONGE@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Flag Football Head Coach needed in Worcester

Season is September through November 11th.
Practices are Tuesdays, 3:00pm-5:30pm at Duffy Field in Worcester.
Please contact Terry Keilty at TERRY.KEILTY@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Soccer Head Coaches needed in Peabody

Season is in the fall, September through November 5th.
Practices are Sundays 10:30am-11:30am at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody.
Please contact Terry Keilty at TERRY.KEILTY@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information. Coach needed in Revere

Flag Football Head Coach needed in Lynn

Season is in the fall, September through November 11th.
Practices are Saturdays at 10:00am at Lynn English High School.
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at AIYANNA.LAMKIN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Soccer Head Coach needed in Revere

Season is in the fall, September through November 5th.
Practices are Saturdays 11:45am-12:45pm at the Paul Revere School in Revere.
Youth team for athletes 15 years or younger.
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at AIYANNA.LAMKIN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Young Athlete Coach needed in Revere

Season is in the fall, September through November.
Will be coaching young athletes ages 2-7 years.
Practices are Saturdays 11:00am-11:45am at the Paul Revere School in Revere.
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at AIYANNA.LAMKIN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

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

Flag Football Assistant Coach needed in Fitchburg

Season is in the fall, September through November 11th.
Practices held Sundays from 1:15pm to 2:45pm in Fitchburg
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at AIYANNA.LAMKIN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Soccer Assistant Coach needed in Fitchburg

Season is in the fall, September through November 5th.
Practices held Sundays from 1:15pm to 2:45pm in Fitchburg
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at AIYANNA.LAMKIN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Flag Football Assistant Coach needed in Worcester

Season is in the fall, September through November 11th.
Practices held Tuesdays 4:00pm-6:00pm at Duffy Field in Worcester
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at Aiyanna.Lamkin@specialolympicsma.org for more information.

Flag Football Assistant Coach needed in Lynn

Season is in the fall, September through November 11th.
Practices held Saturdays 10:00am at Lynn English High School
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at AIYANNA.LAMKIN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Cheerleading Assistant Coach needed in Holyoke

Season is in the fall, September through November 11th.
Practices are Saturdays 1:00pm-3:00pm at Community Field in Holyoke.
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at AIYANNA.LAMKIN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Upcoming 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 in the winter, December through March.
Practices are Sundays 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Leo’s Parish School
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at AIYANNA.LAMKIN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Basketball Head Coach needed in Auburn

Season is in the winter, December through March.
Practices are Tuesdays 6:00pm-8:00pm in Worcester
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at AIYANNA.LAMKIN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Basketball Head Coach needed in Southborough

Season is in the winter, December through March.
Practices are Saturdays 10:00am-11:00am in Southborough
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at AIYANNA.LAMKIN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Basketball Head Coach needed in Mansfield

Season is in the winter, December through March.
Practices are Wednesday evenings at Mass Premier Courts
Please contact Donna St. Onge at DONNA.STONGE@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

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

Basketball Assistant Coach needed in Andover

Season is in the winter, December through March.
Practices held Thursdays 7:00pm-8:00pm
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at AIYANNA.LAMKIN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Basketball Assistant Coach needed in Leominster

Season is in the winter, December through March.
Practices held Sundays 2:30-4:00pm at St. Leo’s Parish School Gym in Leominster.
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at AIYANNA.LAMKIN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Basketball Assistant Coach needed in Auburn

Season is in the winter, December through March.
Practices held Tuesdays 6:00pm-8:00pm in Worcester
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at AIYANNA.LAMKIN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Skiing Assistant Coach needed in Scituate

Season is in the winter, December through March.
Practices held Sundays 1:00pm-4:00pm at Blue Hills in Canton
Please contact Aiyanna Lamkin at AIYANNA.LAMKIN@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.