Special Olympics Florida in need of 50 new coaches by the end of the year

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Special Olympics Florida has set a goal to recruit 50 new coaches by the end of the year. Its goal coincides with its 50th anniversary.

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The nonprofit works to provide year-round sports for those with intellectual disabilities. The ultimate goal of the group is to help these athletes develop other life skills that go behind the playing field.

Right now, the organization serves over 60,000 athletes and offers training and competition in a variety of different sports. It has 38,0000 coaches and volunteers statewide.

Sharon Holloway’s son, Elijah, became an athlete in 2015. She started volunteering in 2019, and became a certified coach the following winter.

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“I call it our Special Olympics family,” Holloway said. “He’s 19 now right, going on 20. He has this whole persona about him that when he takes the field he’s ready.”

The number of children wanting to get involved is growing, which is why the group needs more coaches.

“These athletes need coaches,” Holloway said. “Without coaches, there are no programs, and without athletes, there’s definitely no programs.”

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To sign up to be a coach you can click here. No sports expertise is needed. Special Olympics Florida provides coaches with all the necessary training.

“You don’t have to be a parent,” Holloway said. “You just gotta be able to love these athletes.”