SO Basketball Skills/Team/Young Athletes registration

Registration for Special Olympics Basketball Skills is now open! I am also hoping to put a Basketball Team together, so if you are interested in that then please sign up for Skills and we'll go from there. Also, for the first time, Region E is hosting a YOUNG ATHLETES BASKETBALL SKILLS EXHIBITION FOR 6 & 7 YEAR OLDS!

PLEASE READ THROUGH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN ITS ENTIRETY! Athletes using assistive devices i.e., wheelchair, walker, crutches are welcome to register for Skills or Young Athletes.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS BASKETBALL SKILLS AND POSSIBLE TEAM

Athletes ages 8 and up to compete in skills including: 10m Dribble, Target Pass, and Spot Shot to an 8ft or 10ft basket; or to compete in the tournament as a team. I am in need of coaches to help with the team.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS YOUNG ATHLETES BASKETBALL SKILLS

Young Athletes born 3/10/2017-3/7/2019 to participate in skills including: 10m Dribble, Target Pass, and Spot Shot to an 8ft basket. *At least 1 chaperone that knows the Young Athlete will be required to attend practices with the Athlete.*

Zoom meeting: Monday, September 23rd at 6pm. Even if you are only interested in more information, I encourage you to attend. The link for the meeting is in the email.

Roster: For Traditional Skills and Young Athletes, the roster is limited to 24 total athletes, and for Team the limit is 15 athletes. Basketball Skills athletes who competed in Regional 2024 are guaranteed their spot for the new season, whether for Skills or Team.

Practice: Mondays, at either Shabbona School on School St. 6-7pm or Saratoga School on Rt 47/Division St. 6:30-7:30pm starting October 21st. A schedule of where we'll be each week is attached to the email. PLEASE NOTE, the schedule is subject to change according to practice venue availability. If we are able to form a team, there will be additional practices scheduled, as well as games vs. other agency teams. Our Community Night is tentatively scheduled for December 16th. Athletes are responsible for their own transportation to practices. SC Buses may be used for competition and to transport the team to away games. All participants must wear comfortable athletic attire or sweatpants with gym shoes. NO JEANS/JEAN SHORTS, BOOTS, SCANDALS, ETC. ARE ALLOWED AT PRACTICE OR COMPETITIONS. NO JEWELRY EITHER. Medical bracelets are always allowed.

Cost and paperwork: $20 for the entire season for Skills or Young Athletes and is due October 21st along with any paperwork. Athletes cannot practice until paperwork is received. Let me know if extra time is needed to pay the fee. There may be additional costs for team athletes for uniforms, etc. but I will try to keep that amount minimal.

Athlete Medicals and Coach Class A registrations: Must be valid through 3/9/2025. Those who need a new Medical must turn it in to Tina by November 4th or the athlete cannot compete. Class A Registrations must also be completed by 11/4. Tina can look up the date if you do not remember when your Medical or Class A expires. New Coach Class A registrations must be completed ASAP.

Competitions: *These dates are a guess until I get next year's calendar later this month.

Skills Regional: Sunday, January 19th, 2025 in Evergreen Park (Gold medal athletes advance to State)

Team Regional Tournament: Sunday, January 26th, 2025 in Oak Lawn (Gold medal teams advance to State)

Young Athletes Regional Exhibition: Saturday, February 1st, 2025 in Manteno (participation only, no advancement to State)

State: March 7-9, 2025 in Bloomington

After registering, I will contact you about what forms I'll need from you. REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 7TH!