Coaches Corner - September 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..

• Coaches Pre-Season Webinars: Recordings and slides can be found on the Sports Offered page

About Athlete Performance Training:

The health and fitness of our Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) athletes is an organizational priority. We’re committed to working alongside you to help our athletes become healthier, more fit and live longer lives. Athlete Performance Training is designed to elevate the health and fitness levels of athletes and improve their sports outcomes. Athlete Performance Training consists of a combination of coach-facilitated sports practices and at-home fitness programs.

COVID-19 Coordinators, when completing their “Site Registration” Form via Google Forms, are asked if they are interested in participating in Athlete Performance Training.  COVID-19 Coordinators can express interest on behalf of their coach or a coach can visit the Online Portal to complete the necessary online training. The training video is only about 20 minutes long and simple to complete. Once the training is completed SOPA will be notified and we will contact coaches with further details on materials and next steps. Any further questions, please contact Charla Stein, Healthy Communities Coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 610-630-9450 ext. 254.

Coach Background Clearances and Athlete Medicals

• All coaches, both RETURNING and NEW MUSTcomplete the PA State required background checks via SOPA. Please complete all requirements within Vsys.
  
• Program’s responsibility to ensure all athletes have a CURRENT medical for the season in which they are participating uploaded into VSys.  There is a pre-populated report in VSys instructions can be found here.