WE ARE STARS

Amazing Awesome Athletes

About Us

As a participant of Special Olympics Minnesota, we have made it our mission to transform lives through the joy of sport. Our athletes find confidence and fulfillment, they demonstrate determination and courage, and they express their joy every step of the way. On the playing field and in life, they inspire people in their communities and elsewhere to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential. We train and we compete and we build confidence, all while upholding our number one rule – HAVE FUN! We practice in northern Dakota County (but welcome all).

Our Sports

Alpine Sports

Basketball

Bocce

Alpine skiing and snowboarding challenge the athlete’s downhill racing ability and coordination. athletes will benefit by being in good physical condition. (Winter)

Basketball has players of all abilities, from young players to older, more experienced players . Basketball provides competition for both teams and individuals. (Winter – Spring)

Players try to get their Bocce balls closer to a target ball than their opponents. Individuals can participate as single players or as part of doubles or Unified team. (Summer)

Bowling

Poly (Floor) Hockey

Flag Football

Bowling is beneficial to people with intellectual disabilities, irrespective of their age or sports abilities, since it ensures physical exercise and social integration. (Fall – Winter)

Poly hockey is played in the style of ice hockey, but on flat surfaces, such as a basketball court. Players on each team attempt to shoot a ball or puck into a goal using sticks. (Fall – Winter)

Flag football provides players with physical exercise, self-discipline, and teamwork skills. Participants will also learn leadership and sportsmanship skills. (Fall)

Softball

Swimming

Track and Field

Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams. Every team aims in scoring as many runs possible against the opponents by striking the ball with a specific bat. (Spring – Summer)

Special Olympics Swimming offers divisions according to athlete ability and age. Individual events are offered as well as relays and events for athletes of lower ability. (Winter – Spring)

Athletics offers a wide variety of traditional track and field events. Competition is also provided for athletes with lower ability levels in a variety of development track and field events. (Winter – Spring)

Important Links

Athletes

Coaches and Team Assistants

All athletes who wish to participate with the Stars must first register with Special Olympics of Minnesota by completing and returning an athlete application. Each sports season has placement deadlines for new athletes.

Unified Partners

Special Olympics Unified sports combine athletes with and without disabilities (Unified partner) on the same team.

To become a Unified Partner, you must complete the online Level 1 training & volunteer application. This training is designed for new Unified partners as well as current Unified partners who need to renew their certification. Upon completion, you will receive an email from Sterling Volunteers to complete your background check. You may not receive an email if your background check is current and not expired yet.

Unified Partners can be as young as eight; however, they must also complete the paperwork and online course. Minors will receive an email to complete the background check after age 18.

All coaches and Unified partners who work with athletes, at a minimum, need to be Level 1 certified. Level 1 certified coaches can coach any sport within SOMN.

While most coaches are 18 years of age or older, individuals who are 16 or 17 years of age and wish to become a team assistant, may also take the training (although there will be no background check).

Interested in sports specific training? Level II training is sport specific. (Head coaches must be Level II certified.)