Special Olympics: Bowling

Bowling Sport Center

This page draws together bowling-related information for all of Special Olympics. The coaching materials and other links will help you get a good sense of how this sport contributes to Special Olympics.

Stories Events Games

The ten-pin bowling coaching guides was written by experts who understand that people with intellectual disabilities need extra time and attention to master new skills. Learn More

Ten-pin Bowling commonly called "Bowling" in the US, is a competitive sport in which a player (the "bowler") rolles a bowling ball down a wooden or synthetic lane with the objectvie of scoring points by knocking down as many pins as possible.

Although Bowling does not belong to the Olympic sports, it is among the most popular sports in Special Olympics. It is a particularly beneficial sport to people with intellectual disabilities, irrespective of their age or sports abilities, since it ensures physical exercise and at the same time participation and social integration. Plus, it's great fun!

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Bowling News and Stories

May 20, 2013 | East Asia: China

Special Olympics Macau Unified Bowling Competition

By Lafael Liu

Athletes from Special Olympics Macau and Employees from Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau had a unified bowling competition at Future Bright Bowling Center.View Story ▼On the afternoon of March 23th, athletes from Special Olympics Macau and Employees from Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau with a total number of around 20 people had a unified bowling competition at Future Bright Bowling Center. Athletes and volunteers exchanged their bowling tricks during the snack time after the competition.

March 06, 2013 | SOI General: Regions

Special Olympics USA National Unified Bowling Tournament

By Amy Dugan

The Special Olympics USA National Unified Bowling Tournament, as part of the USBC National Bowling Congress Open, was held in Reno, Nevada at the USBC National Bowling stadium, February 28-29.View Story ▼The Special Olympics USA National Unified Bowling Tournament, as part of the USBC National Bowling Congress Open, was held in Reno, Nevada at the USBC National Bowling stadium, February 28-29. There were more than 449 participants from 14 states (32 delegations), including 336 athletes that made up 84 4-player teams and 168 doubles teams. Special Olympics' relationship with the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) began in 1991 in Toledo, OH, under the leadership of Hal Kaminski and Bowling Ambassador and USBC Hall of Famer Jimmy Schroeder. This long-standing relationship is an example of a relationship that Special Olympics aspires to have with all sport national governing bodies.

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Upcoming Bowling Events

Date	Event	Location
May 30 - Jun 2 2013	Missouri Summer Games Join us May 30 - June 2 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2000 athletes will compete in athletics (Track & Field), aquatics, basketball, bowling, powerlifting and volleyball. For more information More DetailsView More	Columbia, Missouri UNITED STATES
May 30 - Jun 1 2013	Michigan Summer Games Join us May 30 - June 1 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 3500 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, bocce, bowling, gymnastics, horseshoes, powerlifting, volleyball and motor activities training program. For more information More DetailsView More	Central Michigan University Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 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
Jun 6 - 8 2013	Pennsylvania Summer Games Join us June June 6-8 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2000 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics, basketball, bowling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, softball and tennis. For more information More DetailsView More	Penn State University in State College Philadelphia, Pennsylvania UNITED STATES
Jun 7 - 8 2013	Virginia Summer Games Summer Games, our largest competition, is nothing short of legendary thanks to overwhelming support from thousands of local volunteers who brave the summer heat to assist Special Olympics Virginia athletes each June. Athletes come from all corners of the state to compete in swimming, powerlifting, softball, track & field, bowling and tennis. This event also features our annual Healthy Athletes expo, as well as fan filled stands, thanks to our Volunteer to Cheer program! Summer Games, one of Special Olympic Virginia’s seven state-level competitions, has been at UR since 1983; prior to that, the event was held in Lynchburg. For more information More DetailsView More	University of Richmond Richmond, Virginia UNITED STATES
Jun 7 - 9 2013	Indiana Summer Games Join us June 7-9 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2600 athletes will compete in aquatics, bocce, bowling, cycling, horseshoes, powerlifting, track & field and volleyball. For more information More DetailsView More	Indiana State University Terre Haute, Indiana UNITED STATES
Jun 14 - 16 2013	New York Summer Games Join us June June 14-16 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 1000 athletes will compete in athletics (track & field), aquatics, basketball, bowling, powerlifting, gymnastics, tennis and volleyball. For more information More DetailsView More	University at Buffalo Buffalo, New York UNITED STATES
Jun 28 - Jan 30 2013	Ohio Summer Games Join us June June 28 - 30 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2600 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics (track and field), bocce, bowling, cycling, gymnastics, power lifting, roller skating, soccer, tennis, and volleyball. For more information More DetailsView More	The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio UNITED STATES
July 05, 2013	Bowling Competition Join us at the Galaxi Bowling in San Salvador, El Salvador on 5 July from 8am-1pm for an exciting day of bowling competition. Special Olympics athletes will show their talent and skill while competing on the lanes. Please contact Sandra Uceda (contact info below) for event details. For more information Sandra Uceda Email:suceda.g@gmail.comView More	Galaxi BowlingSan Salvador EL SALVADOR
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
Nov 1 - 3 2013	State Bowling Tournament Over 500 athletes are expected to participate in singles, doubles, and team events over three days of competition. For more information Johna Thum Email:jthum@sosd.org Phone:605-331-4117View More	Village Bowl Aberdeen, South Dakota UNITED STATES
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
Nov 16 - 17 2013	State Unified Bowling tournament This will be our 9th Annual State Unified Tournament. We are expecting 250 bowlers to participate in doubles and team events. For more information Johna Thum Email:jthum@sosd.org Phone:605-331-4117View More	Eastway Bowl Sioux Falls, South Dakota UNITED STATES
Nov 30 - Dec 7 2013	Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Games The inaugural Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games will take place in Newcastle, New South Wales in 2013. The event will see Australia welcome more than 1,700 Special Olympics athletes, 600 coaches, 4,000 volunteers, and approximately 200,000 spectators from 25 nations across the Asia Pacific region. Newcastle will offer world class facilities and venues across the range of nine sports to be conducted during the Games – Athletics, Bocce, Bowling, Basketball, Football, Badminton, Table Tennis, Cricket and Aquatics as well as venues for the Opening Ceremony and Games social hub. For more information More Details Alex McNeilly Email:alexm@specialolympics.com.auView More	Hunter Stadium 294 Turton Rd, New Lambton NSW 2305 Newcastle, New South Wales AUSTRALIA
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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Bowling 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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