Welcome!
We’re excited to have you join our Special Olympics community on the North Shore through our partnership with the Northeast Arc.
Our program services over 100 athletes in year-round sports training. Through sports, we are able to teach the importance of exercise and teamwork as well as build strength, confidence, and achieve new goals.
This booklet is to provide you with all the necessary information about our programming.
Special Olympics MA Mission Statement
Special Olympics Massachusetts is committed to providing year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, prepare for entry into school and community programs, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Northeast Arc Recreation
Mission
Statement
Our vision is to provide clients, of all abilities, with an equal opportunity to access meaningful activities through community involvement, intentional recreation, sport, and art programming.
Background on Special Olympics
• Programming is free of charge
• This is a volunteer-based program – all coaches are volunteering their time
• Volunteer coaches are trained to coach the sport. They are not babysitters and are not responsible for managing participants’ personal behaviors. Families and caregivers are expected to remain responsible for their athletes’ individual needs and support outside of sports instruction.
• We offer 15 sports within four sport seasons (varying by age)
Winter (December – April)
Basketball
Junior Basketball
Candlepin Bowling
Cheerleading
Snowshoeing
Young Athletes
Spring (April – June)
Aquatics
Powerlifting
Tennis
Track & Field
Junior Track & Field
Summer (June – August)
Bocce
Golf
Softball
Junior Softball
Fall (September – November)
Aquatics
Cheerleading
Cycling
Flag Football
Soccer
Junior Soccer
Athlete Requirements
• Athlete Registration is required through Special Olympics
MA: Register Here
• All athletes must follow the Special Olympics Athlete Code of Conduct and the Northeast Arc Recreation’s Client Participation Agreement
• If these agreements are not followed, a meeting with the Program Coordinator will be scheduled to discuss next steps
Age groups
• Adults – ages 16+
• Juniors – ages 8-15
• Young Athletes – ages 2-7
NeArc Special Olympics Sport Registration
• Registration is online and is required for each sport, each season
• The season registration form is shared via a seasonal newsletter. The newsletter is available on our website and via our email list
• The registration opens at least two weeks prior to the start of the season
• Deadline: Registration for a sport will close one week into the scheduled season
• All athletes must be registered in order to attend practice.
Weekly Practices
• A full practice schedule is sent before the season starts
• All athletes must wear athletic gear, bring water, and have a positive attitude
• Most sports equipment is provided by NeArc Special Olympics
• You will be notified otherwise if you are required to bring your own equipment
Attendance
• Attendance is taken at each practice
• Athletes must attend at least half the practices to be eligible for tournament play
• If you are unable to attend practice, please notify the Program Coordinator and coaches
Emergency Protocol
• In the event of an emergency or severe behavioral occurrence, the coach will call 911, safely secure the area, and notify the parent/guardian immediately.
• In the event of minor injuries — bumps, bruises, scrapes — first aid will be administered on-site.
• Coaches are provided with an emergency contact list based on registration – please ensure this information is accurate.
• Parents and/or guardians are welcome to stay on site during practices
• Group home staff are required to stay on site during practices
Cancellation Policy
• Practices may be cancelled due to the weather
• Email or text notifications will be sent – please check your phone and email regularly.
• Cancelled practices will not be made up
• Cancelled competitions may be made up depending on the sport
Competitions & Tournaments
• To attend state tournaments, athletes may be required to compete in a qualifier or league play
• Tournaments are 1–2-day events (varies on sport)
• Tournament schedules are shared by Special Olympics MA 1-2 weeks before the event and may change leading up to the tournament
• Communication regarding competitions is sent via email.
• In leading up to the event, be sure to check your email regularly
• Athletes may practice in multiple sports but can only choose one for state-level competition (unless tournaments are on different dates)
Uniforms & Gear
• Uniform shirts are provided free of charge
• Shirts must be returned at the end of the season
• Failure to return may result in ineligibility for the next season
• Gear
• Most gear for practice is provided by NeArc Special Olympics
• Athletes are always welcome to bring their own labeled equipment
• Examples of provided equipment – basketballs, kickboards, softball bats
• Examples of athlete required equipment – shin guards, softball gloves, golf clubs
Fundraising
• Our program is free, but fundraising helps us thrive!
• Funds raised help cover the costs of uniforms, equipment, and facilities’ fees
• The Special Olympics offers numerous fundraisers our program can participate in. The ones we participate in are:
• Calendar Raffle
• Holiday Torch Run
• Polar Plunge
• Information about each fundraiser will be shared and we kindly ask that you participate and/or share with friends and family!
• General donations are always welcome and can be sent directly to:
Special Olympics MA 512 Forest St Marlborough, MA 01752
Interested in Volunteering?
• All head coaches must be 18+
• All assistant coaches must be 16+.
• If you are interested in volunteering within one of our sports, please contact: Aiyanna Lamkin at ALamkin@ne-arc.org
Transportation Information:
Transportation drop-off and pick up is required for all SOMA programming.
To help us provide safe, quality programs, athletes are to be escorted into program sites. It’s very important that you do not leave anyone at the program site without confirming that the coach has arrived. Before leaving the building, please ensure that the athlete is checked-in with a coach.
Athletes should not arrive more than 15 minutes early nor be picked up more than 15 minutes after the program ends. If your family members will be utilizing The Ride or any other transportation service, please schedule drop-off as close to the program time as possible. The safety of our athletes is paramount.
