Community Sports Programs
These team practices and local tournaments make up the backbone of our organization, helping athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities make new friends, build a strong community and develop skills that will help them throughout their lives.
Athletes as young as eight can join local community programs, with no upper age limit. For younger children, Active Start and FUNdamentals, are programs designed to nurture their growth in a safe environment.
Special Olympics is proud to offer a variety of sports, to ensure every athlete can find one that fits their unique needs and skills.
Provincial and Territorial chapters manage all local programs and teams, including practices, tournaments and Provincial Games. If you’re interested in finding Special Olympics programs near you, please visit your local Chapter.
About Community Programs
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Unified Sports
Special Olympics Unified Sports® is a model that promotes social inclusion. Unified Sports integrates individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities on teams for sport training and competition to promote social engagement and development. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
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Active Start
Active Start is a family-centred activity program for children with an intellectual or developmental disability ages 2-6.
Through the program, children learn basic motor skills such as walking, running, jumping, balancing and throwing in a fun and safe environment. These skills provide support for everyday activities as well as a base for Special Olympics sports training and competition as athletes grow older.
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FUNdamentals
FUNdamentals is a continuation of the Active Start program for athletes with an intellectual or developmental disability ages 7-12.
This program transitions from basic movement skills to basic sport and physical literacy skills while maintaining an atmosphere of fun and meaningful interaction. This program also promotes specific sport education, proper nutrition, and social inclusion through participation in positive sport environment.