Volunteering for Games
Volunteers are key to ensuring that District and Provincial Teams have a successful Games experience. The District Team Manager and Provincial Team Liaison are crucial links between Special Olympics Ontario staff and the Games Organizing Committee, and the athletes and coaches on the Team.
Applying to Volunteer at Games
Volunteers are invited to apply for Games approximately one year in advance of the upcoming Games.
- The eligibility and selection requirements for coaching at Major Games are outlined in Policies 7000-308 and 7000-402
- For Provincial Games, applications for DTM are submitted to the District Developer, and volunteer selection occurs with the input of the Communities, the District Administrative Team (DAT) and the Sport Specific Conference Team (SSCT). Eligibility criteria and qualifications are outlined in the Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities section of this resource. Volunteers must be endorsed by their Community Council.
- For National Games, applications for PTL are submitted to your District Developer.
- All positions pertaining to Team Canada for World Games are overseen by Special Olympics Canada.
Expectations of District Team Manager (DTM)
Selected DTMs may expect to be a full member of the Team, which includes:
- Travel to and from the Games
- Being provided with a team uniform and necessary accessories
- Accommodation at the Games
- Support of the DAT, District Developer, and SOO’s Competition Developer in preparation for the Games
- Support of the Head Coaches while at the Games both for competition and non-competition aspects of the Games experience
DTMs have varied responsibilities, including:
- Coordinating team member registration for the Games
- Organizing ground transportation to the Games
- Ordering and distributing the team uniform
- Accompanying the team in travel to the Games
- Relaying important information from SOO and the GOC to the team via the Head Coaches
- Attending DTM meetings as appropriate
- Providing feedback about the Games in post-game surveys
Expectations of Provincial Team Liaison (PTL)
Selected PTLs may expect to be supportive of the regional members of Team Ontario by networking with the team members as they prepare for National Games.
PTLs have varied responsibilities, including:
- Coordinating team member registration for the Games
- Organizing ground transportation to the Games
- Distributing the Team Ontario uniform
- Relaying important information from the Chef de Mission to the team via the Head Coaches
Unless the PTL is a member of Team Ontario as a coach or mission staff, the PTL does not travel to National Games.