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INTRODUCTION
SPECIAL
OLYMPICS ONTARIO
Special Olympics is a worldwide program
providing year-round sports training and competition for people
with an intellectual disability. Sport Canada recognizes Special
Olympics as the main provider of these services, although some
participants may also have physical challenges. In Canada, over
32,000 athletes participate in training and competition organized
by 12 Provincial and Territorial chapters. In Ontario, the
organization is active in over 140 communities across the
province, operating 1,643 sports clubs through a dedicated team
comprised of over 7,000 volunteers. There are over 16,000 athletes
registered across the province.
The real impact of Special
Olympics Ontario (SOO) is helping its athletes daily to fulfill
their dreams and to enrich their lives. Research has proven
physical training and athletic competition for individuals with
intellectual disabilities increases self-respect, self-confidence,
enhances adaptive skills, and strengthens social and emotional
development.
ABOUT
HOMETOWN GAMES
Click here for Hometown Games Host Brochure
Special Olympics Ontario is well known for its International,
National and Provincial Games, but the key for all athletes is the
access and opportunity to compete close to home. Although Special
Olympics Ontario has long hosted local and regional competitions,
the scope, quantity and availability falls well short of the need,
especially given the number of new athletes joining the
Organization.
Hometown Games are a new sport property of
Special Olympics Ontario. By virtue of its organizational
structure Hometown Games will address the need for more local
sport competition. It will also provide an opportunity for
individuals to volunteer with Special Olympics at the community
level.
Guelph
– Basketball Tournaments (Guelph and Ottawa), Nordic Skiing (Gravenhurst)
Swim Meet (Barrie),
Soccer Tournament (Perth), Baseball Tournament (Toronto)
WHY
HOMETOWN GAMES?
Nearly 40 years of experience
have taught us that the full benefit of Special Olympics is achieved only when the athletes can
apply in competition the skills and fitness acquired through training. Games and
competition are essential to the Special Olympics experience.
By virtue of its
organizational structure, Hometown Games will address the need for
more local sport competition. It
will also provide an opportunity for individuals to volunteer with Special Olympics at
the community level. Volunteers will make a real and valued contribution to the
community and become part of a great TEAM.
A significant
number of athletes will not advance beyond local and regional
competitions, since the capacity of
Provincial and National Games cannot keep pace with the dramatic increase in new
athlete enrolment.
Special Olympics
is therefore committed to the expansion and enhancement of
competitive opportunities at the
local level - Hometown Games.
GOALS
AND OBJECTIVES
To develop a self-sustaining competition model that can be adapted
for any community.
To provide opportunities for new volunteers and corporate sponsors
to participate in their communities.
To host up to 20 new quality competitions in one year that will
both meet competition priorities and demographic needs
within Special Olympics Ontario.
To host quality competitions at a low cost to the athletes.
To market Hometown Games as an important element for Special
Olympics athletes.
BE
A HOST PARTNER
The
“host” partner takes primary responsibility for the
operational order and funding of the event. That is for
planning, organizing funding and operating the event from start to
finish. The organization agrees to coordinate and facilitate a
Special Olympics Hometown Games. A business, service club, school
or organization can create a Host Committee to facilitate a
Special Olympics Hometown Games. This event, most often
happening over a one-day period can provide an exceptional
volunteer experience and team-building event. We hope not only to
increase local sport competition, but through your help, to
increase the legacy of awareness and greater opportunities for
people with an intellectual disability!
Providing
value to sponsors and athletes is the focus of this new Special
Olympics property Hometown Games. Your council will be central to
our goal of increasing competition for our athletes and raising
funds to ensure that community programs continue to grow across
the province.
HOSTING
AN EVENT
One-day event involving 50-150
Special Olympians.
Select a sport
from an extensive list.
Special Olympics
Ontario provides financial backing to cover any shortfalls.
Access to support
from experienced Special Olympics staff.
Registration fee
of $10 per athlete is put back in your community.
Operations Manual
provided. (Click
here for Manual)
Insurance
coverage through Special Olympics Ontario.
BUDGET
COSTS
Overall
budget approximately $5,000 to cover the following:
Facility Rentals.
Medals for all participants.
Athlete Meals (Lunch/Snacks).
Banners/Signage for sponsors and competition.
Volunteer recognition.
Thank you advertisement.
Games
budget can be funded through sponsorship, donation or
gifts-in-kind.
Hometown Games has taken place successfully in various local
communities across the province, such as the
Hometown
Games Softball Tournament
Hosted
by Knights of Columbus in Toronto
and
Hometown
Games Soccer Tournament
Hosted
by Knights of Columbus in Perth
Special
Olympics will strive to maximize local exposure and recognize your
support. There are many benefits to becoming a "host" of
a Hometown Games event, but the recognition and the value will
most notably come from the athletes themselves!
BE
A SPONSOR
Make a cash or in-kind gift to
a Special Olympics Hometown Games and see your investment grow
before your eyes. The actual event will produce both a great
competition for community athletes and others; and the surplus
will seed more events for Special Olympics athletes at a community
level.
GET
INVOLVED TODAY
For
further Information please contact:
Hometown
Games Advisor
Special
Olympics Ontario
165 Overlea Boulevard, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario
M4H 1P1
Toll Free: 1-888-333-5515
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