Special Olympics: Football Sport Center

Football Sport Center

Football (Americans call it soccer) is possibly the world's most popular team sport. It's also Special Olympics' most popular sport. This page draws together football-related information for all of Special Olympics, including news, stories, calendar events and competition results.

Stories Events Games

Former South African National Football Team captain, Lucas Radebe, makes a play for the ball in the 2010 Unity Cup. Pros and Special Olympics athletes made up teams that united people with and without intellectual disabilities.

Played in just about every country, the sport's success is due to the fact that it can be played by boys, girls, men and women of just about any physical build and ability. Football requires little in the way of specialized equipment and is organized using simple, intuitive rules.

It's so fundamental to the future of Special Olympics' growth plans that it is the focus of our Global Football initiative.

Football is perfect for Special Olympics Unified Sports, in which people with and without intellectual disabilities play on the same teams. In 2010, Special Olympics held its Unity Cup in connection with the World Cup.

The coming years will see more exciting global and regional football events for Special Olympics.

Football Coaching Guide

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Football News and Stories

May 20, 2013 | Europe Eurasia: Luxembourg

Luxembourg celebrates European Football Week by playing Unified!

By Maureen Rabbitt

Special Olympics athletes from Luxembourg, France and Germany gathered together in Luxembourg to compete in a unified football tournament as part of 2013 European Football Week.View Story ▼Special Olympics athletes from Luxembourg, France and Germany gathered together in the city of Luxembourg on Sunday, May 12th to compete in a unified football tournament as part of 2013 European Football Week. The Unified tournament represented exactly what EFW is about – the wider football community coming together to support inclusion in football for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The ink was hardly dry on a new agreement between SO Luxembourg and the football club of Luxembourg City RFCUL when they offered the tournament to take place on their facilities. In Group One, two German teams (Tier-Saarburg and Ebernach) finished in front with the Luxembourg Red team second and Merlebach from France as runner up. Group Two was a local affair with SOL-Violet coming first in front of SOL-Brown and SO Reuler. Medals were awarded by RFCUL Chairman Armand Drews. An agreement with the National Football Federation is also expected as well as EFW cooperation with professional clubs.

May 10, 2013 | Latin America: Costa Rica

With a Colorful Ceremony the First Central American and the Caribbean Unified Football Tournament of Special Olympics Gets Started

By Claudia Echeverry

A true celebration marked the launch of the First Central American and the Caribbean Unified Football Tournament of Special Olympics in Costa Rica.View Story ▼A true celebration marked the launch of the First Central American and the Caribbean Unified Football Tournament of Special Olympics. The opening ceremony included a parade of the delegations from Paraguay, USA, Mexico, Guatemala , Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama, El Salvador and Costa Rica. The President of Special Olympics Costa Rica, Carlos Valverde, said, "We saw an opportunity to shout out from Costa Rica and to the world the ability of our Special Olympics athletes; today in football, yesterday and tomorrow in all sports. In the relentless struggle to achieve a full integration of people with disabilities in our societies." Ariel Ary, athlete and Special Olympics Global Messenger who reminded the audience that "during this international tournament, we will see that young people with and without intellectual disabilities, will enhance their lives with a life experience and will be able to share values, norms and passions in a unified way."Learn more by reading the press release linked in below.

April 22, 2013 | Middle East North Africa: Lebanon

Happy Vibes

By Fouad Marrouch

A real bond exists between students of the Lebanese International University and athletes from Special Olympics Lebanon. They got together on 9 April for a sporty afternoon.View Story ▼Tuesday 9th of April 2013 Unified Day at the Lebanese International University (LIU), Saida Campus: A real bond is established with the students of the LIU since 2010 the year we officially introduced SO mission to LIU management team. And since that day, students are always eager to do activities with SOL athletes. On Tuesday the 9th of April 2013, a unified football, 7 aside was organized at LIU Saida Campus, in the south of Lebanon (SOL south subprogram). 35 members of the social club were happy to welcome SOL athletes for a sporty afternoon. They requested the presence of SOL athlete leader Rami to comment on the game. SOL athletes already know their partners since they met previously on different occasion on and off the sports fields. At the sound of music, the games started and students kept coming in to the sound of music and after reading about this special event on Facebook. Happy vibes were noted around whereby teams were playing, youth were sheering them up and dancing. Rami liked the microphone and did not leave it for a bit. The girls got motivated and wanted to join the game. A second match was announced comprising girls’ athletes and partners. The play was highly applauded by admirers around. Medals and souvenirs were exchanged between players with the promise to plan another encounter very soon. In parallel, when asked, LIU students are happily ready to train youth on social media, photography, reporting and public speaking themes during SOL upcoming Youth Workshop to be held on Saturday 18th of May 2013.

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Upcoming Events

Date	Event	Location
May 21 - 23 2013	District of Columbia Summer Games Join us May 21-23 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1000 athletes will compete in bocce, soccer, tennis, track & field and Volleyball. For more information More DetailsView More	Catholic University Washington, District of Columbia UNITED STATES
May 23 - 26 2013	Texas Summer Games Join us May 23 - 26 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 3400 athletes will compete in athletics, basketball, gymnastics, soccer, tennis and equestrian. For more information More DetailsView More	University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, Texas UNITED STATES
May 24 - 26 2013	Iowa Summer Games Join us MAY 24-26 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 3000 athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, bocce, cycling, roller skating, soccer and tennis. For more information More DetailsView More	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa UNITED STATES
May 29, 2013	Unified Basketball and Football Competition Come cheer on and support our Special Olympics athletes on 29 May for an exciting day of Unified basketball and football competition in Witbank, South Africa. Please contact Mrs Mashayane (contact info below) for event details. For more information Mrs Mashayane Email:mash@specialolympics.comView More	Witbank, Mpumalanga SOUTH AFRICA
May 31 - Jun 2 2013	New Mexico Summer Games Join us May 31 - June 2 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1200 athletes will compete in athletics, bocce, soccer and unified volleyball. For more information More DetailsView More	University of New Mexico Track & Field Stadium Albuquerque, New Mexico UNITED STATES
May 31 - Jun 4 2013	8th Special Olympics Singapore National Games Special Olympics Singapore is hosting 640 athletes from Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines at the 8th Special Olympics Singapore National Games. Athletes will compete in six sports; athletics, badminton, bocce, bowling, football, swimming. Held once every four years,the Games is a competitive multi-sports event for individuals for intellectual disabilities. The Games are open to athletes 8 years and above, competing in divisions according to their abilities. The Games aims to unite the local community through the transformative power of sports and invites everyone to come celebrate the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. For more informationView More	Multi venuesSingapore SINGAPORE
June 01, 2013	World Sand Games The Inaugural World Sand Games will be held Saturday June 1, 2013 at The Beach at Craig Ranch. Bracket play for the volleyball tournament hosting a Juniors, Adult, Corporate, Special Olympics Texas Unified, and BYOP™ division will begin at 9 a.m. with sand soccer and sand tennis clinics throughout the day. This family friendly environment will also have music, bocce ball, cornhole and plenty of food! Come join us for a day of fun in the sun benefiting Special Olympics Texas athletes! For more information More Details Samantha Vogel Email:svogel@sotx.org Phone:214-943-9981View More	The Beach at Craig Ranch 6145 Alma Rd McKinney, TX 75070 McKinney, Texas UNITED STATES
Jun 2 - 3 2013	Colorado Summer Games Join us June 2-3 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1100 athletes will compete in track and field, soccer, swimming, gymnastics and powerlifting. For more information More DetailsView More	Grand Junction, Colorado UNITED STATES
Jun 6 - 8 2013	Wisconsin Summer Games Join us June 6-8 at University of Wisconsin during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1800 athletes will compete in aquatics (swimming), athletics (track & field), soccer and powerlifting. For more information More DetailsView More	University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Wisconsin UNITED STATES
Jun 7 - 9 2013	Maine Summer Games Join us June 7-9 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1500 athletes will compete in football, Soccer, golf, sailing and tennis. For more information More DetailsView More	University of Maine Orono, Maine UNITED STATES
Jun 12 - 14 2013	Khomas Football Coaches Training Join us and support our Special Olympics Program through 12 June - 14 June for 2 days of football coaches training in Windhoek, Namibia. Please contact Ms. Ester Kambla (contact info below) for event details. For more information Ms. Ester Kambala Email:ekambala@specialolympics.orgView More	Khomas sub-Program Windhoek NAMIBIA
Jun 13 - 15 2013	Utah Summer Games Join us June 13-15 at Herriman High School during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1000 athletes will compete in athletics (Track & Field), cycling, soccer, Unified Sports® Soccer, softball and motor activities training program. For more information More DetailsView More	Herriman High School Herriman, Utah UNITED STATES
Jun 14 - 16 2013	Illinois Summer Games Join us June 14-16 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 3800 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, bocce, gymnastics, powerlifting and soccer. For more information More DetailsView More	Illinois State University Normal, Illinois UNITED STATES
Jun 15 - 21 2013	Asia Pacific Unified Sports Football Cup Qualifiers Join Special Olympics in the Asia Pacific region for the Unified Sports Soccer Cup Qualifier that will bring together Special Olympics athletes (people with intellectual disabilities) and Unified Partners (people without intellectual disabilities) to play as teammates from all over the region. They will be competing for a spot in the 2014 Unified Sports Football Cup in Brazil. For more informationView More	BangkokBangkok THAILAND
July 09, 2013	State Cycling & Flag Football Finals This event offers a wide variety of opportunities to the media. Special Olympics Michigan athletes, volunteers and coaches will be available for interviews and photographs. Approximately 200 athletes, coaches, chaperones and volunteers will participate in the State Cycling Finals. There will be 170 cyclists and 20 unified partners competing. Bike inspections begin at 7:30 a.m. For more information More Details Kim Purdy Email:purdy1kr@cmich.edu Phone:(989) 954-5112View More	Chrysler Proving Grounds 3700 S Mi State Road 52 Chelsea, Michigan UNITED STATES
July 12, 2013	Soccer Competition Join us at Estadio Charlaix in San Salvador, El Salvador on 12 June from 8am-1pm for an exciting day of soccer competition. Special Olympics athletes will show their skill on the pitch while competing on the field. Please contact Sandra Uceda (contact info below) for event details. For more information Sandra Uceda Email:suceda.g@gmail.comView More	Estadio CharlaixSan Salvador EL SALVADOR
Jul 14 - 18 2013	Kim Kallstrom Trophy (Football/Soccer) The Kim Källström Trophy is a cooperation between Gothia Cup, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia, Special Olympics Sweden and of course main sponsor Swedish national player Kim Källström. The second edition of Kim Källström Trophy was held during 2012 with a lot of positive feedback from the 27 participating teams. Our goal for 2013 is to increase the number of participating teams to 30, invite more international teams and to increase the number of girls participating in the tournament. For more information More Details Anna Holmberg Email:info@gothiacup.se Phone:+46 (0) 31-50 67 80View More	Gothia Cup, Heden Center Box 22052400 72 Göteborg SWEDEN
August 07, 2013	Womens 5-a-side Football Competition Come cheer on and support our Special Olympics athletes on 7 August for an exciting day of Womens 5-a-side football competition in Witbank, South Africa. Please contact Mr. Wanga Manyala (contact info below) for event details. For more information Mr. Wanga Manyala Email:wanga@specialolympics.org.zaView More	Witbank, Mpulunga SOUTH AFRICA
Aug 28 - Sep 1 2013	Great Britain Summer Games The 9th National Summer Games will be held in the city of Bath from 28 August to 01 September. Over 1,700 athletes will be competing in athletics, badminton, bocce, bowls (short mat carpet bowls), football, golf, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, table tennis, ten pin bowling, tennis and swimming. For more information More DetailsView More	University of Bath Bath, Claverton Down UNITED KINGDOM
Oct 5 - 9 2013	North Africa Football Unified Cup 11-a-side Join Special Olympics in the Middle East - North Africa region for a Unified Sports soccer match that will bring together Special Olympics athletes (people with intellectual disabilities) and Unified Partners (people without intellectual disabilities) to play as teammates from all over the region to promote acceptance and inclusion. For more informationView More	Cairo EGYPT
Oct 30 - Nov 12 2013	Unified Football Competition Come cheer on and support our Special Olympics athletes on 30 October - 12 November for a Unified football competition in Witbank, South Africa. Unified Sports promotes social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences by joining people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. Please contact Mr. Wanga Manyala (contact info below) for event details. For more information Mr Wanga Manyala Email:wanga@specialolympics.org.zaView More	Witbank, Mpumalanga SOUTH AFRICA
Nov 2 - 3 2013	Fall Championships Thousands of athletes, coaches, families and volunteers come together for a weekend of memorable fun during the annual Fall Championships in Virginia Beach. Athletes wrap up the fall sports season as they go for the gold in roller skating, bowling, volleyball, soccer, bocce and golf. Don’t-miss-moments include a magical opening ceremony, followed by an evening of music and games at the Victory Dance and Olympic Festival. And thanks to our Volunteer to Cheer initiative, this event continues to grow in size and popularity! Come Be a Fan! Fall Championships, one of Special Olympics Virginia's seven state-level competitions, has been in Virginia Beach since 1998; prior to that, the event was held in Roanoke. For more information More DetailsView More	Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, Virginia UNITED STATES
Jun 13 - 21 2014	2014 USA National Games The USA National Games be centered in and around Princeton and the Greater Mercer County area. Venues will include Princeton University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey, and Mercer County Park. The New Jersey Devils have offered The Prudential Center as the venue for the Opening Ceremonies. The National Games will feature nearly 3,500 athletes competing in 14 Olympic-style sports, with the support of 1,000 coaches, 8,000 volunteers and an estimated 50,000 family, friends and spectators. Non-competitive special events will include the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run™ that will symbolize the start of the competition and Healthy Athletes, a place where the athletes can get vital health screenings. Youth and education events will also be held in conjunction with the Games as young leaders rally around making change for the better of the Special Olympics movement and promoting acceptance of those with intellectual disabilities. For more information More Details Greg Epperson Email:gepperson@specialolympics.org Phone:919-785-0700View More	Several Locations - New Jersey Princeton, New Jersey UNITED STATES

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Football/Soccer Competitions

2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games

Athens, Greece, was the home of the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games. That year, it was the world’s largest sporting event for athletes with intellectual disabilities. See results by athlete, delegation and bib number.

See the Results

Related Coaching Resources

How to Get Involved in Special Olympics

Special Olympics sports training, coaching and competitions go on in more than 170 countries around the world. You can get involved by getting in touch with the closest Special Olympics office.

Special Olympics near you»

Made Possible by The Annenberg Foundation

The Special Olympics movement is profoundly grateful for the support of the Annenberg Foundation which has underwritten the production of the coaches’ guides and resources, supporting our global goals for coaches’ excellence.

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