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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 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.

     

    “I gave my medals to my coaches because THEY deserve to be medaled. I wouldn’t have my medals without them. If it wasn’t for coaches and volunteers, this wouldn’t be possible. They need to be recognized, too. I wanted to say thanks to them.”  – Athlete, Jen Harrington

    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 Coaches needed in Leominster

    • Season is now through mid-March.
    • Practices are Sunday afternoons at St. Leo’s Parish School Gym (120 Main St Leominster, MA). Multiple teams are available and each team will be assigned a specific time block between 1pm and 5pm. Practices will be no longer than 1.5 hours.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Assistant Coach Positions (must be 16 years or older)

    Figure Skating and Speed Skating Assistant Coaches needed in Amherst

    Figure Skating Assistant Coach needed in Concord

    • Season is now through mid-March.
    • Practices are Saturdays 12:35pm-1:15pm at Sharper Edge Skating School in Concord.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Figure Skating Assistant Coach needed in Belmont

    • Season is now through mid-March.
    • Practices are Sundays 2:00pm-2:50pm at Belmont Skating Rink in Belmont.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Alpine Skiing Assistant Coaches needed at Nashoba Valley in Westford

    • Season is January through mid-March.
    • Multiple practice times available at Nashoba Valley in Westford:
      • Sundays 2:00pm-4:00pm
      • Tuesdays 6:30pm-8:30pm
      • Wednesdays 5:30pm-7:30pm (this practice is teach new/beginner skiers.)
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Alpine Skiing Assistant Coaches needed at Nashoba Valley in Westford

    • Season is now through mid-March with a team based out of Belmont.
    • Practices are Saturdays 6:00pm-8:30pm at Nashoba Valley in Westford.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Nordic Skiing Assistant Coaches needed in Weston

    • Season is now through mid-March.
    • Practices are Tuesdays 6:30pm-8:00pm at Leo J Martin Golf Course in Weston.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Bowling Assistant Coach needed in Chicopee

    Bowling Assistant Coaches needed in North Attleboro

    • Season is now until the beginning of March.
    • Practices are Fridays from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm at North Bowl in North Attleboro.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information

    Bowling Assistant Coaches needed in New Bedford

    • Season is now through mid-March.
    • Practice times are on Saturdays 2:00pm – 3:30pm at Wonder Bowl in New Bedford
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Bowling Assistant Coaches needed in Hyannis

    • Season is now through mid-March.
    • Practice times are being finalized. Location will be at Ryan Family Amusements in Hyannis.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Basketball Assistant Coach needed in North Andover

    • Season is now through February.
    • Practices are Thursdays 5:30pm-6:30pm at the Youth Center in North Andover.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Basketball Assistant Coaches needed in Leominster

    • Season is now through mid-March.
    • Practices are Sunday afternoons at St. Leo’s Parish School Gym (120 Main St Leominster, MA). Multiple teams are available and each team will be assigned a specific time block between 1pm and 5pm. Practices will be no longer than 1.5 hours.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Basketball Assistant Coaches needed in Marstons Mills (Barnstable)

    • Season is now through mid-March.
    • Practice times are being finalized. Location will be at West Villages Elementary School.
    • 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):

    Swimming Head Coach needed in Amherst

    Volleyball Head Coaches needed in New Bedford

    • Season is March through mid-June.
    • Practices are 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):

    Swimming Assistant Coach needed in Haverhill

    • Season is January through May.
    • Practices are on Saturdays 3:00pm-4:30pm. Specific practice location is still being finalized.
    • Must be lifeguard certified for this team.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

    Swimming Assistant Coach needed in Dorchester

    • Season is March through mid-June.
    • Practices are on Saturdays 9:30am-11:00am at the Holland Community Center Pool in Dorchester.
    • Must be lifeguard certified for this team.
    • Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information

    Volleyball Assistant Coach needed in Fitchburg