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Developing Your Team The key to developing your team is to surround yourself with a staff of people who understand the mission of the Special Olympics Program, the sport you are coaching, your coaching philosophy and are committed to helping you, as a head coach, accomplish more by doing less. Delegation of roles and responsibilities will provide organization, structure and assistance so that high quality training and competition experiences can be provided to athletes, volunteers and families. Below are a few helpful ways to demonstrate what might be involved when identifying volunteers for your team. Identify the positions necessary to run a successful Special Olympics program in your sport. Before you invest too much time, check with the local Special Olympics coordinator to see if they have done something similar. Find out what you are responsible for and then write brief job descriptions for each position. Assistant Coaches Transportation Coordinator(s) Competition Manager(s) Fundraising Coordinator(s) Public Relations Coordinator(s) Equipment and Facility Coordinator(s) Recruit a balanced staff of volunteers that: have skills and schedules that complement each other will make the time commitment you specify are willing to be trained to work with the athletes and fulfill their roles will accept delegation and enjoy the role selected add resources and experience to the program Hold orientation for coaches, families and volunteers to: understand the mission and philosophy of Special Olympics clarify roles and responsibilities foster clear communication of all goals and objectives continually motivate and encourage athlete participation understand resource, facility, fundraising, transportation and equipment needs Securing a Facility With the help of the local Special Olympics coordinator or sport association in your area (i.e. PGA Section Office for golf), identify potential sites in the geographic area and approach the facilities director about starting a program.   Important issues to discuss with representatives of potential sites. Use of available practice facilities, what is available and what will be off limits Access to more sophisticated facilities when athletes demonstrate appropriate level of competence Potential for reduced fees or donation of facility Willingness of resident professional and/or staff to serve as a resource to volunteers on technical aspects of teaching fundamentals of the game Willingness of resident professional and/or staff to assist in recruitment of coaches and partners by displaying fliers in the pro shop or at the front desk and discussing Special Olympics with people they identify as potential volunteers   Gain the confidence of the professional by conveying your sensitivity to the demands of their job Express your understanding of the need to create a schedule that is respectful of typical peak demands on the facility; for example, do not ask for golf tee times at 9 a.m. on a Saturday or access to a weight room at 5 p.m. Assure them of your commitment to provide Special Olympics athletes with the appropriate introduction to the game with respect to the rules, etiquette and pace of play. Communicate your commitment to providing a safe environment with appropriate supervision.   Athlete Recruitment and Registration Inform Special Olympics athletes of the opportunity to participate on your team, through the Special Olympics newsletter, fliers, announcements and include information about recruitment on meeting agendas, etc. Have athletes sign up through a formalized registration process as a group or individually.   Securing Equipment In order to introduce athletes to the game, a variety of equipment is necessary. The equipment should be sufficient to allow maximum participation from the outset and accommodate men, women, and youth.   Volunteer Recruitment and Registration It is difficult to determine how many volunteers should be recruited. The best way to handle this is to estimate the number of athletes you will have and derive an appropriate number of volunteers using a ratio of volunteers to athletes of 10-to-1.   The best place to recruit volunteers is through the facility where you will practice and play. Use the facility newsletter and strategically placed fliers. Have volunteers register through a formalized process.   Volunteer Orientation and Training Schedule a volunteer orientation and training session at the facility to be used for the program. If that is not possible, choose an appropriate venue such as a school.  Schedule time to go to the facility to review what will happen on site during practice sessions.   Season Plan Athletes and volunteers have been identified. Create a season plan that covers 8-12 weeks of practice and play, culminating in a season-ending competition/tournament. Set a goal for one practice and one competition per week.   Athlete Orientation and Introduction to Volunteers Once athletes and volunteers have been identified, conduct a preliminary meeting to make introductions, outline the season plan and explain roles.   Special Olympics Families can play an important role in helping athletes learn sport skills. The athletes' family members and friends are usually the most important influences in their lives. Family members can lend tremendous support by giving love and encouragement to the Special Olympics athletes' efforts in reaching their personal goals. Research has shown that when families participate in Special Olympics activities with their athletes they develop an increased sense of pride and respect for athletes' abilities and potential.   Coaches should involve the families of Special Olympics athletes in their athletes' training for several reasons Encourage families to help their athlete perform the skill at home. Set aside time after the session to instruct the family member on how to assist the athlete in rehearsing the skill at home. Give family members copies of home training plans, training schedules and competition dates and ask them to encourage proper preparation. Have families help motivate their athlete in training and competition: establish small goals and reward the athlete when possible. Help families understand their athlete's sport goals. Families' involvement and understanding of goals will result in more open and positive attitudes toward their athletes when they succeed in realizing their goals or when they fall short. Encourage family members to attend a Special Olympics Coaches Training School to better prepare themselves to help their athletes. Host a family orientation before the start of the season Foster quality family participation encouraging family members to: Practice and play the game as a family Provide their athlete with transportation to and from practices and competition Become a volunteer Assist in providing equipment and securing venues Participate in fundraising Chaperone   Most sports can be enjoyed by the entire family regardless of the skill level. Coaches should work hard to involve the athlete's family and close firiends.

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