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Promoting Increased Athlete Competition Opportunities Within Your Special Olympics Sports Program: Provide Your Expertise. Coach Special Olympics athletes. Conduct a clinic for Special Olympics athletes and utilize mainstream athletes as instructors. Invite local Special Olympics athletes to mainstream practices; provide an opportunity for them to watch athletes and participate with them in a mini-clinic. Assist Special Olympics with identifying other coaches as training school instructors and/or coaches.   Facilitate Inclusion into School and Community Programs Provide a joint training opportunity with the mainstream team. Recognize and reward Special Olympics athletes during the annual sports banquet and school awards program. Provide opportunities for Special Olympics competition as prelude to home competition.   Make Facilities Available Host Special Olympics training sessions, clinics and/or camps. Host Special Olympics competitions such as a local or Program-level event.   Encourage Other Administrators, Coaches and Students to Volunteer Allow student-athletes to volunteer as partners during the off-season; Special Olympics athletes can learn from and model talented athletes. Allow student-athletes to volunteer and assist at local or Program-level competition.   Build Public Awareness Invite Special Olympics athletes to compete in a demonstration game or exhibition at a home competition. Take part in media interviews regarding Special Olympics and its benefits to Special Olympics athletes. Host a "Special Olympics Family Night" at a home competition. Special Olympics athletes and their families attend a competition, receive recognition, meet the team after the competition and take part in autograph and picture opportunities. Include information on Special Olympics in your program, media guide, newsletter, etc.   Raise Funds for Your Local Special Olympics Organization Play a pre-season exhibition scrimmage or game to benefit Special Olympics. Allow Special Olympics to take donations at the door or at the concessions stands.     Within Your Community Sports Programs Student-athletes and colleagues will learn a new dimension of sport through contact with or coaching Special Olympics athletes. The experience of developing friendships and working with people who have intellectual disabilities will make a difference in the lives of everyone involved. Opportunities for media coverage will increase because of your support of Special Olympics. When you sponsor/coach a Special Olympics team, you will gain exposure for your Program at major Special Olympics events that are often highly attended. Families and friends of Special Olympics athletes in your community will become active, supportive and more aware of your Program, thus increasing participation and attendance at your events. Your program will develop better community relations. Your colleagues and student-athletes will gain new insights into teaching basic skills and reaching out to others. As a committed leader within the community, your leadership role will be reinforced and enhanced. Some Special Olympics coaches may enroll in your coaches' clinics. Awareness levels about the capabilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities will be increased among staff and student-athletes.

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