Coaches play a unique and indispensable role in Special Olympics around the world. Coaches provide the sports skills and spirit that define a true athlete. In addition, coaches are role models and character builders. Coaches give Special Olympics athletes the most immediate awareness of their own worth, ability, courage and capacity to grow and improve.

Special Olympics Hawaii offers a Coaches Education and Certification Program designed to train and educate new and experienced coaches in the techniques and principles of coaching in the Special Olympics sports program.

Upcoming Coaches Education Courses

Special Olympics coaches:

• Assist athletes in learning sports skills and applying them in competitions.
• Encourage confidence and self-esteem through sport.
• Obtain necessary facilities and equipment for training.
• Help to recruit athletes and assistant coaches.
• Conduct demonstrations in the community.
• Start Unified Sports® teams.

Special Olympics coaches often find that the personal rewards received are equal to or even outweigh the benefits they offer the athletes. Special Olympics coaches have a unique opportunity to work with athletes in competitive situations to assist in their training for life.

Special Olympics Hawaii coaches must uphold the highest ideals of sport and abide by a Coaches Code of Conduct.

For more information about coaching within the Special Olympics Hawaii program please contact Dan Epstein at sports@specialolympicshawaii.org.