Secondary Programs
At Special Olympics Ontario we offer a wide range of programming for our secondary school student-athletes ages 13-21 through our province-wide virtual events and our Regional Provincial Qualifiers.
Our Secondary School Qualifiers provide quality competition opportunities to student-athletes in five sports: basketball, soccer, bocce, floorball, and virtual track & field. Our events are open to public, catholic and private schools across Ontario. Teams are divisioned prior to each event to ensure competition is fair and balanced. Our competitions are designed to provide opportunities to students trying sports for the first time and for those more experienced in sport competition. Registration for each qualifying event is $5 per student. All competitions offer both a Traditional Division, where all athletes have an intellectual disability or challenge, as well as a Unified Division, where teams are comprised of athletes with AND without an intellectual disability.Â
Our School Championships is a 3-day multi-sport event that takes place at the end of the year, bringing hundreds of qualifying athletes from across the Province together for three days of competition and excitement. The five sports will include Athletics, Basketball, Bocce, Floorball, and Soccer. This is a life-changing experience that gives our athletes the opportunity to compete on the provincial stage. This year our Provincial School Champions will be hosted by Chatham-Kent from June 11th -13th.Â
Please view our Events Calendar for school competitions in your community!
If you would like to host, participate or volunteer at one of our school events, reach out to us at schools@specialolympicsontario.com.
Chatham-Kent proudly hosts the 2024 Provincial School Championships, featuring over 7,000 high school athletes competing to qualify during the academic year. The event, from June 11 to 13th, welcomes athletes from Ontario, backed by coaches and cheered by onsite and remote supporters. Click here to view the School Championships website.
Chatham-Kent proudly hosts the 2024 Provincial School Championships, featuring over 7,000 high school athletes competing to qualify during the academic year. The event, from June 11 to 13th, welcomes athletes from Ontario, backed by coaches and cheered by onsite and remote supporters. Click here to view the School Championships website.
In Traditional Basketball, teams of 3 players can bring 2 substitutes and 2 coaches, totalling a 7-member roster. Unified Basketball follows a similar format with teams of 3 players, 3 substitutes, and 2 coaches, with each team required to have 2 Special Olympics (SO) Athletes and 1 Unified Partner on the court at all times. Click here to see the full copy of our rules!
In Traditional Basketball, teams of 3 players can bring 2 substitutes and 2 coaches, totalling a 7-member roster. Unified Basketball follows a similar format with teams of 3 players, 3 substitutes, and 2 coaches, with each team required to have 2 Special Olympics (SO) Athletes and 1 Unified Partner on the court at all times. Click here to see the full copy of our rules!
In Traditional Track and Field, athletes compete individually in 3 to 5 events (excluding 4x100m), participating in both track and field events. Unified Track and Field follows a similar format with a 1:1 SO Athlete to Unified Partner ratio, with teams grouped by size and results compiled by average cumulative team results. Click here to see the full copy of our rules!
In Traditional Track and Field, athletes compete individually in 3 to 5 events (excluding 4x100m), participating in both track and field events. Unified Track and Field follows a similar format with a 1:1 SO Athlete to Unified Partner ratio, with teams grouped by size and results compiled by average cumulative team results. Click here to see the full copy of our rules!
In Traditional Bocce, teams consist of 4 players with 1 substitute and 2 coaches allowed, with any gender combination permitted. Unified Bocce maintains the same team composition but requires 2 SO Athletes and 2 Unified Partners on the court at all times. Click here to see the full copy of our rules!
In Traditional Bocce, teams consist of 4 players with 1 substitute and 2 coaches allowed, with any gender combination permitted. Unified Bocce maintains the same team composition but requires 2 SO Athletes and 2 Unified Partners on the court at all times. Click here to see the full copy of our rules!
In Floorball, teams consist of 4 players with 1 substitute and 2 coaches allowed, with any gender combination permitted. Unified Floorball maintains the same team composition but requires specific equipment for players and goalkeepers. Click here to see the full copy of our rules!
In Floorball, teams consist of 4 players with 1 substitute and 2 coaches allowed, with any gender combination permitted. Unified Floorball maintains the same team composition but requires specific equipment for players and goalkeepers. Click here to see the full copy of our rules!
In Traditional Soccer, teams consist of 5 players with 4 substitutes and 3 coaches allowed, permitting any gender combination, and games are played on shortened fields. Unified Soccer maintains the same team composition but requires specific player ratios and accommodates athletes with intellectual disabilities. Click here to see the full copy of our rules!
In Traditional Soccer, teams consist of 5 players with 4 substitutes and 3 coaches allowed, permitting any gender combination, and games are played on shortened fields. Unified Soccer maintains the same team composition but requires specific player ratios and accommodates athletes with intellectual disabilities. Click here to see the full copy of our rules!
