1. Recruit your management team.

2. Recruit athletes.

3. Select Special Olympics sports in which athletes will train and compete. This selection should be based on athlete interest and availability of coaches, facilities, and equipment. Many athletes would like to try new sports, so changing sports from year-to-year will insure variety.

4. Meet with parents and service providers to discuss the program.

5. Recruit and train coaches to train Special Olympics athletes. Coaches can receive specialized Special Olympics training at coaches clinics, Sports Camp, the Annual Leadership Conference and the state

6. Sit down with coaches, parents/providers and volunteers and set the sports training schedule. When and where will practices be held? What competitions do we want to participate in?

7. Conduct training on a regular basis. Meet periodically with coaches, parent/providers, and volunteers to discuss any problems and plans. This should be done at least four times a year.

8. Hold a local Special Olympics competition. Your Special Olympics Georgia Regional Manager will guide your management team to a successful year.

9. Is your group too small to hold your own competition? Ask your regional manager at Special Olympics Georgia to help you find a competition for your athletes.

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