ATHLETES WITH A DISABILITY
About Special Olympics Canada
Special Olympics Canada is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport. - It is a national not-for-profit grassroots organization that provides sport training and competition opportunities for 31,000 athletes of all ages and abilities.
- More than 10,000 certified volunteer coaches are currently involved with Special Olympics programs every day in virtually every community nationwide.
- Special Olympics Canada has been part of a world-wide organization for over 30 years.
- Special Olympics Canada National Games are held every two years, alternating between Summer and Winter Games with World Games being held in the year following National Games.
- Special Olympics Canada's programs are supported by corporate sponsorship, fundraising activities, government funding, individual donors and the involvement of volunteers in communities across the country.
- Special Olympics Canada is structured into regional, provincial and national programs and competitions. SOC athletes also have the opportunity to participate along with more than 150 other countries in Special Olympics World Summer and Winter Games alternating every two years
- 75% of all funds raised for Special Olympics Canada remain in the provinces where they are raised.
- Official Special Olympics Canada Sports
Winter Sports
- Alpine Skiing
- Cross Country Skiing
- Curling
- Figure Skating
- Floor Hockey
- Snowshoeing
- Speed Skating
Summer Sports
- Aquatics
- Athletics (Track & Field)
- Bowling (5 & 10 Pin)
- Power-lifting
- Rhythmic Gymnastics
- Soccer
- Softball
Introduction to Flag Football to Special Olympics PEI
Special Olympics PEI delivers its’ sport programs through two streams: a Community stream and a Competition Stream. It is the Community Sport Stream that they use to introduce new athletes to sport and to introduce new sports to athletes.
Community Sport stream:
Pee Wee: 2 -7 years
Youth: 8 – 12 years
Adult: 13+ years
In the Flag Football pilot program, the Youth and Adult Community Sport Programs were used in Charlottetown with approximately 20 participants. The coaches, volunteers and athletes thoroughly enjoyed the chance to be introduced to a new sport. Charity Sheehan, Program Director SOPEI, shares Football Canada’s vision of one day having Flag Football become an official sport of Special Olympics Canada.
Photos were provided by Charity Sheehan, Program Director, Special Olympics PEI.
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