SOPA Announces Updated Requirements for Unified Partners

UPDATED REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIFIED PARTERS: Medical no longer required

Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) continues to seek out ways to make it easier to recruit and retain both athletes and volunteers. SOPA has created a health history questionnaire that is collected in case of emergency. By collecting health history information now on all Class A volunteers, SOPA will no longer require a medical form by an authorized medical personnel for Unified Partners. This will go into effect immediately.

NOTE: This is specifically for Unified Partners that participate in community based Special Olympics Pennsylvania programming. There are no changes for Unified Partners that participate in Unified Champion Schools. Below is how the health history questionnaire is completed:

• For NEW Class A volunteers, this information will be collected upon collecting the Volunteer Application Form.
• For RENEWING volunteers, this information will collected within the Online Portal specifically under “My Information” and “Update Profile.”
• On an annual basis, we will ask all of our volunteers to update all information within “Update Profile” like contact information, first year in SOPA, how did you hear about us, health history, etc.

Register for a Fun Financial Education Opportunity on December 14th

On Wednesday, December 14^th, from 7:00-8:00 PM, SOPA an the Pennsylvania Department of Banking will host its final Fraud BINGO night of 2022! Fraud BINGO is a fun, interactive game that takes the traditional elements of BINGO and educates athletes and their families/caregivers on how they can protect themselves and others from the many frauds and scams that exist on the internet.

Any athlete age 14+ interested in playing may register themselves right here. Upon registration, each participant will get their own, unique Fraud BINGO card.

Please contact Manager of Athlete Leadership and Young Athletes, Jordan Schubert, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

Athletes Needed to Serve on Games Organizing Committees

Something you may/may not know about SOPA’s Sectional and State Competitions are that they are planed months in advance by students and/or other members of the community. Additionally, SOPA’s competition team also wants athletes to be a part of these committees as well!

SOPA has created an interest form for any athlete age 16+ that’s interested in serving on the Games Organizing Committee for Winter Games/Indoor Winter Games and Summer Games! In the form will be a list of expectations for the athlete to understand their role on the committee. From there, the SOPA Competition Director leading the event will get in contact with the athlete and their support person.

Please contact Senior Competition Director, Bruce Bach, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Competition Coordinator - November 2022

SPORTS - COMPETITION:

Fall Festival: Fall Festival Results HERE

Bowling Sectionals:

• Eastern Bowling Sectional
  • Competition date Sunday, January 29, Allentown, PA
  • Registration information shared Friday, December 2
• Central Bowling Sectional
  • Competition date Sunday, February 5, Harrisburg, PA
  • Registration information shared Friday, December 9
• Western Bowling Sectional
  • Competition date Saturday, February 11, Erie, PA
  • Registration information shared Friday, December 16

Bowling and Spring allocations: 2023 Bowling Sectionals and 2023 Spring sports allocations HERE

Athlete Performance Training is SOPA’s new approach to practice by promoting health and incorporating fitness into athletes’ weekly routines. Registration is now open for the winter season. We have simplified the registration process so please follow the directions below:

• Coaches interested in participating in Athlete Performance Training should visit the Online Portal to complete the necessary online training, labeled "Athlete Performance Training" found under "Training Webinar and More."
• You will need to complete a short quiz after the video.
• Once completed you will then be directed to the registration form to sign your team up to participate and request materials.
• Once you have completed your registration you will be contacted by Special Olympics Pennsylvania on next steps.
• For any questions or concerns please reach out to Charla Stein, Healthy Communities Coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

HELP DESK

After-hour support will be available via competition director’s cell phone number during designated hours the weeks of all competition paperwork deadlines. Exact information will be shared with all programs in the coming weeks and will also be listed in the SOPA Event calendar on the website. All competition dates and due dates for information for the rest of the year can be found on the SOPA website calendar.

Medal Ordering

MTM is our Official Ribbons and Medals Supplier! If you need to order medals and ribbons please see the information below:

1. You must order through the order form. If you call they will direct you to the attached form.
2. Include everything on the form you want such as - include pins or please string ribbons.
3. They will send you a confirmation email for your approval.
4. Click here to see the new catalogs and updated order form.

Young Athletes Updates

Information, including dates and locations for upcoming Young Athletes Programs will be available on the SOPA website. Any Local Program running a Young Athletes Program that would like their program information to be added to the SOPA website can contact Jordan Schubert, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please include dates, times, location, contact information, and any specific registration instructions.

ARE YOU ORDERING NEW ATTIRE FOR YOUR DELEGATION?
Just a reminder on your T-shirt color – Please refrain from wearing solid red or orange T-shirts during special events.  Special events include Opening and Closing Ceremonies, dances and Olympic Village. Red denotes our medical team and orange, our security team.  We have chosen these colors so our essential volunteers can easily be identified and quickly located during a time of need at our special events.

Competition Coordinator - August 2023

To access the slide deck, follow this link.

Training Schools/Info - November 2022

TRAINING RESOURCES AND UPDATES:

• Athlete Performance Training: Coaches, Athlete Performance Training (APT) materials are now available. Please consider incorporating this important health and fitness initiative into your team training. A short APT training is available on the Online Portal, under the “Training Schools, Webinar and More” tab. You must complete the training prior to receiving your materials. Once you have completed the training SOPA will reach out with information and next steps. Any questions on APT, please reach out to Charla Stein, Healthy Communities Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

UPCOMING TRAININGS

For all virtual or in-person trainings, Go to your VSys Portal to register:  https://vsys.specialolympicspa.org/

Virtual 

Virtual trainings can only accept 30 participants.  IF you have scheduled and cannot attend – please let me know so I can open that slot.

• Snowshoeing: Saturday, December 3^rd at 9:00 am

ARE YOU A BRONZE, SILVER OR GOLD LEVEL COACH?

SOPA Training and Progression Plan

We want to challenge our coaches; both new and seasoned members of our team.

The newly developed SOPA Coach Training and Progression Plan will guide coaches through our education system and provide them the opportunity for additional education and new skills. This new training plan is designed to inspire and encourage coaches to continue their education in order to be the best coach they can be and in turn provide the athletes with a better experience and a desire to be the best athlete they can be.

For more information on the Bronze, Silver and Gold level requirements, click here.

Vsys - New or Updated Items:

• Any training school taken in the fall of 2020 and STA Practicum Hours are now submitted through your personal portal. The STA form is a thing of the past!!!   For directions click here: How To Enter STA Practicum Hours

Who Gets What?

• Continuing education forms & certification issues - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Background checks - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Database Help - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.