Nothing works without coaches!
You are the most important contact person for our athletes. You motivate, train and celebrate with them, at every step, every competition and every emotion. At Special Olympics Switzerland there are two different coach functions:
Coach
As a coach, you support people with intellectual disabilities in training and at competitions of Special Olympics Switzerland (SOSWI). In doing so, you make a significant contribution to the realization of our vision of an inclusive sports world. In order to participate in competitions with your team or sports group and to be optimally prepared for them, we recommend that you attend the Introduction Module and Coach Module courses. You also don’t have to pay any entry fees for competitions if you hold this position.
Sport Coach
The requirements to be certified as a Sport Coach in a specific sport are described in the document Definition Sport Coach.
The Sport Coach Certificate can be requested and obtained from Special Olympics Switzerland by submitting an application for recognition as a Sport Coach.
Responsibilities
- Training, guidance, and support for athletes with cognitive disabilities
- Ensuring that athletes train regularly and are correctly registered for competitions
- Implementation of the values and sports philosophy of Special Olympics
- Adherence to the regulations in the respective sport and the Ethics Charter of Swiss Olympic
Requirements
- Expertise in dealing with people with cognitive disabilities
(e.g., through work in the disability sector, as a caregiver, social pedagogue, disabled sports instructor, or through personal experience in family or friends) - Sports expertise
Ideally, you have experience in a sport. A formal coaching qualification is not strictly required. - Commitment
Regular training (ideally once a week) and participation in competitions (two to three times a year).
Training
For personal development, we recommend:
- Module Introduction
- Module Coach
- Optional: Module Sport (specific to the respective sport)
For participation in competitions, it is recommended to attend the introductory and coach module training courses.
Competition Participation
- Registration: Registration for SOSWI competitions in individual sports takes place via a login area. You will receive your login via Special Olympics – Welcome to your login area! For the sports of football and floorball, registration is via services@specialolympics.ch.
- Switzerland: Coaches can accompany athletes at all SOSWI competitions.
- International: Application through the Sports Department sport@specialolympics.ch
Do you have a question or need assistance? Write to us at: services@specialolympics.ch
Participation Fees
The coaches are exempt from the entry fee at competitions.
All accompanying persons who do not meet the definition of coach are «Other Persons» and pay the full entry fee.
Unified Partners are equal to athletes and pay the participation fee.
Changes/cancellations can be made up to the registration deadline. Registrations are binding, and the number of registered participants must be paid for.
Download: Participation Fees at SOSWI Competitions
Attendance list for the team sports of football and floorball
For football and floorball tournaments, we ask all coaches to bring the correctly & legibly completed and current attendance lists with the participating athletes to the competition day, thank you!
Download: Team Roster