Coaches – Special Olympics Georgia

The online learning portal has a number of free eLearning courses, now available for coaches, which are also available in a number of languages. In addition, you will find guidance created specifically for coaches to assist them during the COVID-19 crisis, including how to conduct virtual training sessions and how to activate with your athletes when you do not have access to technology. As more resources around virtual games become available, including best practices and tips, they will be made available on resources.specialolympics.org.

Online Coach Certification:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and no in-person coaches clinics held at this time, Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) has come up with the option for online coach certifications in a few sports. Please see below the resources and instructions on how to get certified in these sports.

The Human Kinetics Coach Education Center has partnered with Special Olympics. Coaches can go online and take courses in Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, and Coaching Special Olympics Athletes. The cost for these courses is $20 and will require to create a login.

https://coacheducation.humankinetics.com/collections/64

USA Bowling – Coaching Course has different event options to complete a bowling course. This comes at no cost to the coach.

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/usa-bowling-coaching-16804101030

Once a coach completes a course from either of these sites, he/she must go to the SOGA website and take the ClassMarker quiz in that same sport. When both are completed, submit both certificates to SOGA for approval of the certification.

Current listing of all Certified SOGA Coaches. Are you here?

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Coaching Special Olympic Athletes

Coaching Unified Sports

Concussion In Sports

Principles of Coaching

To become a SOGA Coach follow these steps:

1. Contact the Program Manager in your area about coaching opportunities and connect with your local program.

2. Fill out the appropriate paperwork:

Volunteer/Unified Partner Profile Form (PDF) download, complete, and print this form. Please provide all your information, as it is needed in order to perform a background check. Questions or concerns, please direct them to the Senior Volunteer and Program Manager (Valdosta) or Volunteer and Program Manager (Atlanta).

Coaches Code of Conduct download this form, review, and sign that will adhere to the Coaches Code of Conduct.

3. Submit completed Volunteer/Coach Profile form and signed Code of Conduct to your Program Manager.
After you’ve been through one of our coaches clinics, fill out the Application for Certification and submit it to David Crawford.

4. Complete the Protective Behaviors online quiz

5. Complete the Coaches Concussion Training online

6. Complete the Sterling Volunteers online

Coaches Clinics
-Get certified as a coach. Find a Coaches Clinic near you and begin getting certified in some sports! Click here for more information.

Application for Certification fill this out after you’ve gone through one of our coaches clinics.

Unified Sports
(For individuals without intellectual disabilities, participating on a sports team with individuals with intellectual disabilities)
Unified Sports is a moving and exciting initiative for higher ability athletes of all ages, from youth to adults. Mixed teams provide the public direct opportunities to experience first-hand the capabilities and courage of Special Olympics athletes. By having fun together in a variety of sports ranging from basketball to golf to figure skating, Unified Sports athletes and partners improve their physical fitness, sharpen their skills, challenge the competition and help to overcome prejudices about intellectual disability.

Click here to learn more about Unified Sports training

Get Re-Certified

Click the sport or course below in which you would like to become re-certified:

Coaching Special Olympics Athletes

Cycling