Parks & Recreation: Special Olympics https://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/SpecialOlympics/Forms/AllPages.aspx RSS feed for the Special Olympics list. Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:31:21 GMT Microsoft SharePoint Foundation RSS Generator 60 en-US Parks & Recreation: Special Olympics https://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/_layouts/15/images/siteIcon.png https://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/SpecialOlympics/Forms/AllPages.aspx SportsTraining https://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/SpecialOlympics/SportsTraining.aspx Wiki Content:

​​Sports Training and Competition

 

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Special Olympics Florida - Palm Beach County
Events [external link]

Special Olympics sports training and competitions provide opportunities to practice and strengthen athletic skills, achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, and the life skills necessary to be productive, respected, and contributing members of our community.

Year-Round sports training is offered at no cost for athletes with intellectual disabilities, ages 8 and older. Each sport has a set training season which includes competitions. When competing, athletes are divided by gender, age and ability then placed in divisions accordingly creating the fairest competition possible. Athletes progress from County Exhibitions to Regional Competitions. Some athletes will advance to State Games, Invitational Events and National Games, a select few will advance to World Games (held every four years). 

Sports Training Offered in Palm Beach County
Fall Classic (July-November)
• Cornhole
• Flag Football
• Gymnastics
• Pickleball
• Powerlifting
• Softball
• Volleyball

Summer Games (December-May)
• Athletics (Track & Field)
• Basketball
• Bocce
• Cheer
• Cycling
• Soccer
• Tennis 

Sports with separate competitions
• Bowling (May-September)
• Equestrian  (November-April) 
• Golf (August-December)  
• Stand Up Paddle (April-August)
• Surfing  (April-August)   
• Swimming (May-September)  

Sports offered at County/Area Levels
• Croquet
• Open Water Swim
• Triathlon

All Special Olympics Programs are at no cost to the athletes!

Coaching Opportunities

Available throughout Palm Beach County, as well as training courses for those interested in becoming a Certified Special Olympics coach. Why don’t you become our next coach! For more information contact us at 561-966-7088 or pbcTherapeuticRec@pbc.gov​
Title: Sports Training and Competition
]]> System Account Thu, 01 Sep 2016 15:38:34 GMT https://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/SpecialOlympics/SportsTraining.aspx General-Information https://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/SpecialOlympics/General-Information.aspx Wiki Content:

​​​General Information

 

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About Special Olympics Florida–Palm Beach County

Founded in 1973, Special Olympics Florida-Palm Beach County is the grassroots level of the global Special Olympics movement, whose mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community.  

The Special Olympics Oath “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt” exemplifies the true spirit of our Special Olympic athletes. Since 1968, when Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, millions of athletes with intellectual disabilities have experienced the benefits of improved physical fitness, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image through their involvement.​

Palm Beach County has one of the largest athlete programs in the State of Florida. Special Olympics Florida-Palm Beach County is a program whose strength and durability are shaped by a dedicated professional staff, experienced coaches and hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers in local communities throughout the county.  

Games & Sports

Special Olympics Florida-Palm Beach County offers athletic training and sports competition for team and individual sports, allowing athletes with intellectual disabilities ages 8 and older to expand their opportunities for participation. Special Olympic athletes receive sports training at no cost to the athlete. Each sport has a set training season which includes competitions. When competing, athletes are divided by gender, age and ability then placed in divisions accordingly creating the fairest competition possible. Athletes progress from County Exhibitions to Regional Competitions. Some athletes will advance to State Games, Invitational Events and National Games, a select few will advance to World Games (held every four years). 
 

Program Initiatives

Healthy Athletes including Healthy Community is designed to help athletes improve their health through free health screenings focusing on a whole-person approach. Its mission is to improve each athlete’s ability to train and compete. 

The Athlete Leadership Town Hall program provides opportunities to explore leadership roles in Special Olympics as a volunteer, coach, official and more.

School Based Program Initiatives
  • The Young Athletes is a sports skill development program for children with intellectual disabilities ages 2-7 with the emphasis of physical activity and play. This program provides flexibility to work with family members, teachers and volunteers.
  • Little ELITES (Elementary Level Introduction to Entry-level Sports) is a sports program that bridges the gap between Special Olympics Young Athletes (ages 2-7) and competitive Special Olympics sports (ages 8+) concepts and models. 
  • Rising Stars (grades 6-12) is a non-competitive program offering 9 weeks of sports specific training, developing fundamental skills in athletics (track & field), basketball, flag football and soccer.      
  • MATP (Motor Activities Training Program) is designed for athletes with severe disabilities whose physical/behavioral limitations preclude them from traditional programs. Emphasis on training and participation while focusing on improving basic motor skills.     
  • Unified Champion Schools is an education and sports based strategy powered by an engaged youth community that increases athletic and leadership opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities.

For more information, please contact us at 561-966-7088 or pbcTherapeuticRec@pbc.gov

Special Olympics Florida-Palm Beach County

2728 Lake Worth Rd, Lake Worth, FL, 33461

​Special Olympics Florida [external link]

Title: General Information
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​Directions

 

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Palm Beach County's Club Managers Association of America Therapeutic Recreation Complex is located in John Prince Memorial Park in Lake Worth at 2728 Lake Worth Road, just east of Congress Avenue. Please note: there is no exit on to Lake Worth Road from I-95.

​ map icon View Map [external link]

Title: Directions
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