Spring Season Pictures and Video
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The Special Olympics Massachusetts 2019 spring season was a season to remember! Over 10,000 athletes and Unified partners trained and competed at tournaments and school events. More than 3,000 volunteers gave their time at weekly practices and events. And the Special Olympics community grew with athletes, volunteers, families, and community supporters working together to provide inclusive sports and fitness opportunities for athletes across the state of Massachusetts!
Thank you to all of the Game Changers who volunteered this spring season!
Please enjoy pictures from the events and tournaments across the state, as well as the Spring Season Highlight Video!
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Bellingham Softball Qualifying Tournaments
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When
: Saturday, July 27th 9:00am-12:30pm and 12:00pm-3:30pm
Where
: Bellingham
Summer season is in full swing and softball teams are ready to compete at Qualifying Tournaments, the first competition of the season.
Volunteer shifts are available 9:00am-12:30pm and 12:00pm-3:30pm to assist with softball games by keeping score, keeping time, and announcing games. Softball experience is not required - we'll provide all the training at the event!
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Canton Bocce Qualifying Tournament
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When
: Saturday, July 27th 8:15am-11:30am and 11:00am-3:00pm
Where
: Teamworks in Canton
We have a brand new event in Canton! The Canton Bocce Qualifying Tournament is less than two weeks away and volunteers are still needed to support athletes as they compete in their first tournament of the season!
As a volunteer, you'll assist on the bocce courts to keep score, keep time, and measure the distance between bocce balls. No previous experience is required and we'll provide all instructions at the event. Volunteer roles are suitable for volunteers of all ages and are a great opportunity to get know Special Olympics athletes!
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Marlborough Young Athletes Summer Session
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When
: Wednesdays 4:00pm-5:30pm, July 24th-August 28th
Where
: Marlborough
The Marlborough
Young Athletes Summer Training Session is looking for volunteers! Volunteer each Wednesday (a total of 6 days) and work with Young Athletes ages 2 to 7 years as they learn new sports skills, improve their hand-eye coordination and balance, and have fun in an inclusive Special Olympics community!
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New England Center for Children Track & Field School Day Game
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When
: Wednesday, July 24th 9:00am-1:00pm
Where
: Marlborough High School
This is a brand new event for 80 athletes from the New England Center for Children who will be competing in multiple track and field stations, including running, throwing, and long jump. Volunteers will help lead each of the track and field sports stations to help athletes learn and improve their sports skills, compete in an inclusive event, and enjoy a day of fitness, sports, and fun! No prior experience is required and we'll provide all instructions the day of the event.
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Marlborough Public Schools Summer Program
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When
: Thursday, July 25th 10:15am-1:00pm and Thursday, August 1st 8:30am-1:15pm
Where
: Multiple locations in Marlborough
The Marlborough Public Schools Summer Program is a multi-week training program for middle school student-athletes. Each week, athletes will learn new sports skills by participating in a variety of sports stations. Volunteers will work with the athletes at each of the sports stations and help them build their motor skills, improve their physical fitness, and have fun learning new sports!
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When
: Saturday, August 24th and Sunday, August 25th
Where
: Multiple locations in Marlborough, Northborough, Shrewsbury, and Stow
Tournament of Champions is the final state tournament for summer season sports including softball, cycling, bocce, and golf. Competitions are on Saturday, August 24th and Sunday, August 25th at multiple locations in Marlborough, Northborough, Shrewsbury, and Stow. We rely on 400 volunteers to support over 1,000 athletes compete in an inclusive, high quality, and fun weekend of competitions and celebration!
Volunteer at Tournament of Champions and support athletes by keeping time, keeping score, announcing softball teams, directing and cheering athletes along the cycling course, using your photography experience to take pictures, and being a fan! Volunteer roles are great for all ages, including youth volunteers. If you're a medical volunteer or with a group who wants to volunteer together, please email
Volunteer@specialolympicsma.org.
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Fall Season Team Opportunities
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When
: September through mid-November
Where
: Numerous towns throughout Massachusetts
Fall season sports are all about teamwork! Join a flag football, soccer, cheerleading, or equestrian team this fall season and work together as you train at weekly practices and compete at two weekend tournaments. Team practices start in September and end by mid-November.
Below are teams who are in need of volunteers and teammates. More teams will be added soon and you can also email
GetInvolved@specialolympicsma.org for additional team opportunities near you and for more information.
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Lead your team and teach the rules and skills of the sport at weekly practices and at competitions. Must be 18 years or older and have experience with the sport.
Assist the head coach at weekly practices. Experience level and specific tasks vary for each team. Must be 16 years or older.
- Soccer in Springfield, Saturday mornings and/or Tuesday evenings
Be a teammate and train and compete alongside athletes with and without intellectual disabilities. Level of experience and age varies for each team.
- Soccer in Springfield, Saturday mornings and/or Tuesday evenings. (Must be 8 years or older for this team.)
- Flag Football in West Springfield, Wednesdays 6:00pm-7:30pm. (Must be 16 years or older for this team.)
- Flag Football in North Attleboro, Thursdays 5:00pm-6:30pm. (Must be 15 years or older for this team.)
"I love the program, what it stands for, and the opportunities it provides for all members of my family. My husband and I coach, my son is an athlete, and my daughter is a Unified partner. It allows all of us to feel successful, to have social interaction, and to have fun!"
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2020 Special Olympics MA Hall of Fame
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Nomination Deadline
: Tuesday, October 1st
Do you know someone who has made an impact on Special Olympics in the state of Massachusetts? Nominate them for the Special Olympics Massachusetts Hall of Fame! Nominations are being accepted for athletes, volunteers, coaches, officials, families, schools, community organizations, and businesses who have made lasting impacts for the Special Olympics mission and athletes.
In your email, please say who you're nominating and why, along with background information on the impact your nominee has made in Special Olympics Massachusetts. All nominees must be involved with Special Olympics Massachusetts for a minimum of 5 years.
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The online calendar has been updated and features clearer information, previews of each event, and the option to add events to your Google Calendar and iCal.
Not all of the posted events on the calendar have volunteer opportunities, but you can use the calendar to stay up to date on Special Olympics events happening in your community, including fundraising events, walking clubs, fitness programs, and more!
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Game Changer: Erica Harvey
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"When I first got involved with Special Olympics Massachusetts, I told myself I would do the
Over the Edge fundraiser one time and it would be a cool story. After meeting an athlete that came to my office, and then seeing him again when he escorted me up to the roof for Over the Edge, I was hooked! Everyone was just so passionate and nice and I knew I wanted to be more involved. I also knew people weren’t going to keep donating to my Over the Edge fundraising goal year after year if I didn't show I was dedicated. Since then, a month hasn’t gone by that I haven’t volunteered with Special Olympics MA!
"I signed up for some
one-day volunteer shifts which were really fun and I got to post selfies to boost my fundraising, but I wanted something a little more. Turns out, they needed
volunteer photographers and I was able to sign up. It's a bit like the book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" . . . I kept doing more and more! I also plunge at
Polar Plunge fundraising events, participate as a
Unified partner for multiple sports throughout the year, and I’m now looking to do my first
5K for Special Olympics!
"As the months went by, I started getting to know the athletes beyond one sport and small talk because I'd see them from season to season and year to year. Like you would with any friend, we talk sports (it is Boston after all!), pets, and what we've all been up to. I think a lot of people don't expect volunteering to be as fun as it is!
"To date, I've volunteered with almost every sport and it's my goal to make it to one event from each sport by 2020. I still need to volunteer with equestrian, golf, and a few more sports, but I'm close! I'm super excited to check out the
New England Revolution Unified Soccer game on September 29th because two of my teammates from the North Andover basketball team are on the team! It'll be my first time at Gillette, too!
"Thank you to everyone at Special Olympics! Volunteering has always been as easy and as fun as possible and getting to work within the community has really brought meaning to my life. I used to think people were a little crazy for saying that, but I get it now!"
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Join the conversation
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