Athletes

• Are you ready to take on an exciting new challenge, take your sports-game to the next level, and meet friends along the way? Then Special Olympics Belleville - Quinte West is the right place for you.

• We are always looking for athletes to compete in a variety of sports with an impressive roster of coaches who are eager to train athletes for sport and competitions.

• As an athlete with Special Olympics, you will participate in weekly practices to prepare you for competitions or to keep physically active. For many athletes, participating in Special Olympics is a path to healthy living, empowerment, acceptance and friendship. Special Olympics is dedicated to increasing physical fitness, confidence and other sport and life skills of our athletes; all in a positive and supportive environment.

Am I eligible to be an athlete?

In order to participate as an athlete with Special Olympics, you must:

• be eight years of age or older (does not apply to Active Start or FUNdamentals)

• have an intellectual disability

• agree to read and abide by the SOC Sports Rules and the Special Olympics Ontario's policies and procedures

*Please note some programs may have age requirements

If you'd like to become a part of Special Olympics Ontario, please register on our Membership Portal to become an athlete here.

Knowing how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion, and what to do if a concussion happens – whether you’re an athlete, a student, a parent, a coach, a volunteer, an official or an educator– saves lives.  The Ontario Government is committed to implementing Rowan’s Law by putting concussion safety information in the hands of people who need it most. Increasing awareness and changing conversations in sport, at school and in our homes, will result in transformative change to the way in which concussions are managed in amateur competitive sport and beyond.

Special Olympics Ontario is committed to being a leader in the support of and implementation of Rowan’s Law. Special Olympics Ontario and by association all of our clubs, teams and members are legally bound by the requirements of the Law.

What is Rowan’s Law?

Rowan’s Law was named for Rowan Stringer, who was a high school rugby player from Ottawa. One day, while playing rugby with her team, Rowan got a concussion. Most people with a concussion get better after they rest and heal. But Rowan didn’t know her brain was hurt and needed time to heal. Her parents, teachers and coaches didn’t know, either. So, Rowan kept playing rugby. She got hurt two more times. Rowan’s brain was so badly hurt that she couldn’t get better.

Rowan’s passing triggered a coroner’s inquest into concussion protocols in youth sport. One of the key recommendations from the inquest was to introduce Rowan’s Law in the province of Ontario, which would mandate certain standards for concussion education, awareness and reporting.

Rowan’s Law was eventually passed in the Ontario legislature and became a law in the province of Ontario.

What does this mean for SOO members?

All SOO members (athletes, volunteers, coaches) participating in in-person programming are required to review the concussion resource options below annually and sign off that they understand and have reviewed the resources.

Members must review one or both of the following resources:

1. Rowan’s Law Guide for Students & Athletes of All Abilities. (this can be read as an e-booklet, or printed and reviewed at practice)

2. Concussion Education for Special Olympics Athletes Video (click here)

IMPORTANT: all members must sign off on having reviewed the above resources before, or at the first session of each season. Members will be asked to sign off on having reviewed the resources in their Portal account, or through a paper copy of the SOO annual waivers. If you have questions about this please contact your head coach, community coordinator, or SOO Program Consultant.