Special Olympics Team Basketball

Athletes, ages 8 and up, interested in competing in 5 vs 5 basketball, may sign up for Special Olympics Team Basketball. There is a maximum of 15 athletes per team, and precedence will be given to athletes returning from last year.

Practices and games are traditionally on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Practices would be 6-7:30, and game start times vary anywhere from 6:00 to 7:30. Gym time is scheduled to start October 18th at Saratoga School on Rt 47 in Morris. The practice games will be held at Saratoga, and at other various locations throughout Region E. The regional competition will be January 11, 2023, and the State Tournament, if we advance, will be the weekend of March 10-12, 2023 at ISU. All athletes must commit to the entire season. There is a cost of $15 to participate in Team Basketball with Special Connections. Registration will close October 13th. Fees and completed paperwork will be due by October 17th.

We are in need of a Head Coach and at least 2 Assistant Coaches. Team Basketball experience is required to be a Head Coach. For Assistant Coaches, complete knowledge of team basketball is not required. Even extra pairs of eyes in the stands would be helpful to keep our 4 to 1 athletes to coach ratio. If you are interested in helping, please reach out to me asap. A Class A coach registration with Special Olympics is required for all volunteers/coaches working with our athletes, as well as some paperwork. If I'm unable to secure a Head Coach, then the team sport may not happen this year, but we would still offer Individual Skills Basketball.

As athletes register, I will let you know what paperwork I will need from you. Medicals must be valid through at least March 12, 2023. If you are not sure if you need a new Medical I can look that up for you. New Medicals are due to me no later than November 8th, 2022.