A little less than a month from now, pitchers and catchers will be reporting to camp in the annual migration that marks the commencement of Spring Training. Yet they aren’t the only athletes prepping for an upcoming season; the Spring/ Summer Season for Special Olympics is kicking off in February as well. An international sports training program for individuals with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics is gearing up for an exciting season of athletic competition featuring a wide variety of popular sports.
Special Olympics programs offered in Glendale include athletics (track & field), basketball, bocce, and golf. They’re all free to registered athletes and can be enjoyed by participants from 8 to 80 years old. The season runs February through May.
To register athletes for the upcoming season, please contact scv.tv@sosc.org.
Below we highlight each program and its respective time/ locations.
Basketball
Enjoyed by over 300,000 Special Olympics athletes worldwide, it’s safe to say basketball is a slam dunk with participants. Players can cross-over, shoot, and pass their way to victory while learning teamwork skills and the intricacies of the game.
Time/ Location
Tuesdays 6:30-8:30 p.m. @ Rosemont Middle School
Track & Field/ Athletics
Race to the finish line or aim for that high score in a sport that originated over 2,000 years ago during the age of Ancient Greece. Events include track races (25 m, 50 m, 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, etc etc), race walking, shot put, long jump, and wheelchair races. Participants can hone their athletic abilities while benefiting from the large social setting.
Time/ Location
Saturdays 9:00-10:30 a.m. @ CV High School
Golf
Whether you’re taking on a water hazard or attempting to finesse a clutch putt, golf offers its fair share of challenges and rewards to each player. Special Olympics Unified Golf program allows athletes to participate with a partner/coach as they navigate the course together. Athletes may participate in Skills, 9-hole stroke play or 18-hole stroke play.
Time/ Location
Wednesdays 4:30-6:30 p.m. @ Verdugo Hills Golf Course
Bocce
Originally conceived in Italy, bocce has gradually integrated itself into sporting cultures around the world. It’s a game that requires equal parts skill, precision, and strategy. The objective is simple – get as many of your balls (boccia) closer to the pallina (smallest ball) than your opponent.
Time/ Location
Saturdays 10-11:30 a.m. @ CV Park
Young Athletes
Geared toward children ages 2-7, this program uses games and activities to develop crucial motor, social, and cognitive skills. It’s an eight week long course broken down into weekly themes such as Throwing, Walking & Running, and Foundational Skills.
Time/ Location
Saturdays 11:00-11:45 a.m. @ Surface Fitness, Inc.
Once again, to register athletes for the upcoming season, please contact scv.tv@sosc.org.
Volunteering
Volunteers are being recruited for the following events/ programs:
Tri-Valley Games (track meet, basketball and bocce tournaments)
Saturday, April 9, 2016 @ Crescenta Valley High School
Ages 14 +
Glendale Bocce Officials Team
Must Complete Certification Course
Ages 16+
Those interested in volunteering should contact Kim Villa at kvilla@sosc.org for more information.
MyGlendaleCityNews is your online hub for all official Glendale news and updates. We're dedicated to informing and entertaining readers by showcasing all Glendale has to offer from a local government, cultural and business perspective. To subscribe to our mailing list, click here.
Read More Glendale News
Comments