Special Olympics Seeks Coaches for Exchange Program

Bill Kauffman
Associate Director, Communications
Phone: 719-228-6800
Email: bill.kauffman@usav.org

NOTE: Special Olympics Inc. contributed to this release

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 10, 2012) - Special Olympics has been awarded a two-year grant from the U.S. Department of State to support a coaching fellowship to recruit and train high level Special Olympics coaches and leaders from the United States, Serbia and Montenegro.

Courtesy Special Olympics Special Olympics is seeking U.S. coaches to participate in an international coaching exchange. Aldis Berzins, a 1984 U.S. Olympic Games gold medalist in men’s volleyball, will lead 20 fellows from the United States, Serbia and Montenegro in 10-day workshops focused on recruiting and training high-level coaches and adapting their skills to work with athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete in soccer (football) and volleyball. The program is funded through an International Sports Programming Initiative grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

In 2012, five American, three Serbian and two Montenegrin Fellows will spend 10 days in Serbia and 10 days in in May in Belgrade, Serbia and 10 days in December in Louisville, Ky., observing major sporting events and taking part in classroom trainings and practicum led by Special Olympics staff and experts in the sports of volleyball and soccer (football). Part of the training in the U.S. will be in conjunction with the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship and a Special Olympics demonstration at the event.

In 2013, a new group of Fellows will spend 10 days in Montenegro and Serbia, then travel to the United States later in the year. Fellows will spend five days in Washington, D.C. and five days in Villanova, Pa. While coaching volleyball and soccer (football) will continue to be the focus of the training, additional emphasis will be placed on the involvement of youth running and managing a sports program. All 20 Fellows from the two exchanges will be required to complete a six-month post-fellowship project.

The selection of applicants has been designed to maximize the diversity of Fellows by encompassing differences including, but not limited, to ethnicity, race, sex, religion, socio-economic status and disability (including applicants with intellectual disabilities). Particular attention will be placed on women’s involvement. Ideally, in each year there will be at least two female Fellows, two Fellows from a rural area, and at least one Special Olympics athlete. The following individual selection criteria will be used to evaluate all applicants:  Be at least 21 years of age at the time of applying for the program; Show leadership potential, ability to work in a team, openness to learning, cultural sensitivity; Have experience as a coach, though it is not required that the applicant have experience in soccer (football) or volleyball; Have a minimum of two years experience with the Special Olympics program in their home country; Genuine and proven interest in inclusive ID issues and sports; and commit to volunteer to complete a six-month project for Special Olympics. Special Olympics athletes should have completed Athlete Leadership training and either serve as a Special Olympics Board member or as an Assistant Coach.

If you are a coach in the United States who meets the qualifications above, please CLICK HERE for more details. Applications must be received by Feb. 14, 2012, at 9 a.m. (EST) and should be emailed to Marie Merritt at mmerritt@specialolympics.org (preferred) or sent by regular mail to: Marie Merritt, Special Olympics International, 1133 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036.

About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more than 3.7 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special Olympics now take place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities all over the world, from community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood’s backyard to World Games. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on: Twitter @specialolympics; www.fb.com/specialolympics; www.youtube.com/specialolympicshq and www.specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.

About the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ SportsUnited Division
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ SportsUnited Division leads the U.S. Department of State’s international exchange efforts to bring the global community together through sports.  Under its International Sports Programming Initiative, public and private U.S. based non-profit organizations, 501(c)(3), may submit proposals to address one of four themes: Youth Sports Management, Training Sports Coaches, Sport and Disability, and Sport and Health.  Since 2002, the office has awarded 77 grants to U.S. non-profits to conduct programs in 52 countries around the world.

For additional information or questions please contact Aldis Berzins at aberzins@specialolympics.org.

Tags: Coach, mobile, Special Olympics