How to Be an Athlete or Young Athlete
Welcome to the world of Special Olympics, where sports training and athletic competition are provided year-round. Athletes, just like you, are the heart of Special Olympics. Our athletes are children and adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) from across New Hampshire. They find success, joy and friendship as part of our community, and they also have lots of fun!
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Uniqueness of Special Olympics
Special Olympics focuses on athletes’ different abilities. Special Olympics athletes can participate as early as 2 in the Young Athletes program, begin training at 6, and train and compete at 8. There is no upper age limit to compete as an athlete.
What makes Special Olympics unique is that:
- A variety of sports opportunities are provided for all ability levels.
- Ability groups are created through a process called divisioning to provide even competition for all athletes within each ability group (called a division).
- Awards are provided to all participants who compete and include all places of finish in each division.
- There is a process for athlete advancement to higher levels of competition.
- There is no cost to participate to an athlete or their family, but athletes and family members are expected to help fundraise.
At every age, our athletes are learning new skills, making new friends, staying healthy and gaining confidence.
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What we offer
Special Olympics New Hampshire’s trainings and competitions happen year-round and statewide. We offer 18 Olympic-type sports. Whatever your age or skill level, Special Olympics has something for you. Many athletes start in one sport, then go on to try others. Sports offered include alpine skiing, athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling (tenpin and candlepin), cornhole, cross country skiing, equestrian, golf, powerlifting, snowboarding, snowshoeing, soccer, softball, Unified sprint triathlon, swimming, volleyball.
Through sports, you will see yourself for your abilities, not disabilities. You will become confident and empowered by your accomplishments. By participating in Special Olympics, you are joining the most inclusive community on the planet, a community that is growing every day.
There are also additional opportunities.
- UNIFIED SPORTS® – inclusive sports program combining approximately equal numbers of individuals with intellectual disabilities (athletes) and without intellectual disabilities (Unified partners).
- ATHLETE LEADERSHIP – training and opportunities beyond sport to represent yourself and Special Olympics like speaking publicly, meeting sponsors and donors, and holding leadership positions within SONH.
- HEALTHY ATHLETES – a program that offers health services and information to athletes in need such as FUNFitness (physical exercise), Healthy Hearing (audiology), and Special Smiles (dentistry). [SC1]
- FITNESS CHALLENGES – get involved and moving outside of competition! Challenge yourself to get more steps, compete in local races, and have fun improving your physical fitness outside of standard competition and training. We provide additional training opportunities and information throughout the year which is shared on our fitness page and through our email communications.
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Athlete Eligibility
Age Requirements
- Age 2: The Young Athletes Program can engage families by highlighting the power of play. Through a series of structured physical activities, songs and games, children with and without intellectual disabilities, ages 2 to 7 years old, learn basic motor development skills.
- Age 6: The minimum age requirement for participation in Special Olympics training is six years of age.
- Age 8: The minimum age requirement for participation in Special Olympics competition is eight years of age.
- Middle School: In the Unified Champion Schools Program, children in 5th through 8th grades train and compete in basketball, cornhole, athletics. It also includes well-rounded programming (sports, youth leadership, whole school engagement, and sustainability).
- High School: In the Unified Champion Schools Program, youth in 9th through 12th grades train and compete in soccer, basketball, athletics. The Program also includes youth leadership, whole school engagement, and sustainability as well as sports.
- Beyond High School: There is no maximum age limitation for participation in Special Olympics.
Identifying Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
Every person with an intellectual disability who is at least two years of age is eligible to participate in Special Olympics.
- A person has an intellectual disability for purposes of determining his or her eligibility to participate in Special Olympics if that person satisfies any one of the following requirements:
- The person has been identified by an agency or professional as having an intellectual disability.
- The person has a cognitive delay, as determined by standardized measures such as intelligent quotient (“IQ”) testing or other measures which are generally accepted within the professional community.
- The person has a closely related developmental disability.
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Become Involved
We can’t wait for you to join our Special Olympics New Hampshire family! Let us know where you live, how we can contact you (email and/or phone) and what you may be interested in.
Please contact Ian Wyman by email at ianw@sonh.org or by phone at (207) 710-4586 so that we can connect you with a Local Program based on your location and interests.
Application Process
Prior to their first practice with Special Olympics, all athletes must complete the appropriate paperwork to get started.
Click here for more information on what is required for new athletes.