Get Involved
Topics Include:
- Bocce Rules Clarification
- Alpine Skiing
- Modified Volleyball
- 2010-11 State Games Coach/Chaperone Limit Changes
- Principles of Coaching Webinar
- Staff Changes
- Scarf Project
- Day with the Dukes & Day with the Flames
- Cool FUNdraising Awaits Your Area
- 50-50 Raffles
- A New Twist to Run with the Law
Bocce Rule Clarifications
In cooperation with Special Olympics Inc.’s technical delegate for bocce, SOVA implemented new bocce rules at Fall Championships. These rules will be used for all bocce tournaments sponsored by Special Olympics Virginia. Please contact Brooke Willard if you have any questions.
# of Balls Played: a frame will consist of 4 balls per team.
Ø Singles = 4 balls per person
Ø Doubles = 2 balls per person
Total Points: a total of 12 points is required for either singles or doubles players to win.
Points Awarded: When all of the balls have been played in a frame, the singles or doubles team will be awarded points based on the amount of balls closer to the pallina than the opponent’s ball. In the event that the two balls closest to the pallina belong to opposing teams and are tied, no points will be awarded. After a tie, the pallina returns to the team which last delivered it and play resumes from the end of the court from which the frame was last played.
Athlete Location on the Court: All players are on the same side of the court during a frame. Once the frame has ended all players move to the opposite end of the court to begin the next frame. (Unless no points were awarded due to a tie. If a tie occurs the pallina returns to the team which last delivered it and play resumes from the end of the court from which the frame was last played.)
Time Limit: There is a 30 minute time limit to each game. When a game reaches the 30 minute time limit, the player or team with the highest score will be declared the winner.
Ties in Awarding Correct Placement: In a three-team division, if there is a tie after playing two games (each team won one game and lost one game), the points awarded to each team in both games will be combined to determine the proper award placement.
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The 2011 Alpine Skiing Championships will be the final state-level competition for skiers. The decision to discontinue the Alpine Championships is a result of discussion between staff, board, volunteers and Area leaders for the past few years.
The number of skiers attending Alpine Skiing Championship has declined since 2006 and is now below 70 skiers. In addition, the costs associated with the Alpine Championships continue to rise and the per athlete cost is by far the highest of all state championship events.
A key part of our strategic plan as we move forward is to unify communities through sport, and we must maximize the allocation of our resources to this effect. We attempt to unify communities by organizing events that maximize volunteer and fan involvement. Alpine skiing has a dedicated group of volunteers who volunteer at the event and volunteer at the local program level, but the community involvement outside of this small group of people is minimal.
Another key programmatic issue for SOVA is to promote activities that can easily be conducted in each community across the Commonwealth with a reasonable amount of resources and as much community involvement as possible. Alpine skiing is not done easily at the local level and many of the programs who participate must use tremendous resources of time, labor and finances to maintain the program.
In summary, the decision to discontinue Alpine Championship after this year is based on:
- Increasing costs and decreasing numbers of skiers at the Alpine Championships.
- Allocating resources to impact more athletes and more fans in the community.
- A focus on activities that can be done within the local program community.
It is our hope that Wintergreen will continue to offer opportunities for Area programs that wish to continue their ski training. It is also our goal to help forge partnerships with neighboring states so that skiers can have a competitive opportunity.
We appreciate all of the volunteers who have made skiing a successful program and hope to have more information about future opportunities at the 2011 Alpine Skiing Championships.
Why should my team think about playing modified volleyball next year? Simply put……your athletes will have more fun!
Modified volleyball is a bridge between skills and regular volleyball. Teams with athletes who have trouble serving and keeping the ball in play will enjoy playing modified volleyball.
Here are some highlights of modified volleyball
- The court is smaller. Each side is 25’x25’ versus 30’x30 in traditional volleyball.
- The net is lower, 7’4” versus 8’.
- The ball is a third lighter, making athletes less scared of getting hurt.
- Coaches can coach on both sides of the court instead of just one in regular volleyball.
- A tee (think t-ball here) may be used to help an athlete who has trouble holding the ball to serve.
In modified volleyball, you’ll see great rallies and the ball staying in play longer. The smaller court means a player has less space to cover. The lighter ball makes it much easier for players to serve. The athletes will have more self-confidence when they are successful and they will be fired-up to play more.
If your team was in the bottom half of the divisions at Fall Championships this year, consider playing modified volleyball next year.
For more information contact Brooke Willard or Daniel Leake.
2010 – 2011 State Games Coach/Chaperone Limit Changes
As the number of coaches and chaperones Areas wish to register for state games continues to rise, and the one-on-one (1:1) requests continue to rise, we have had to redo our policy on the coach/chaperone ratio.
The current coach/chaperone limits for the 2010 – 2011 state games are outlined below. Remember, Areas are required to provide at a minimum one coach/chaperone for every four athletes, but Special Olympics Virginia lets you register one coach/chaperone for every three athletes. In addition to that, you are also allowed to register:
- 1 additional coach/chaperone for every 15 athletes
- 1 coach/chaperone for every athlete using a wheelchair
We will no longer accept 1:1 requests. Any athletes needing 1:1 supervision must be factored into your allotted number of allowed coaches/chaperones. If you go over your allotted coaches/chaperones number you may register additional coaches/chaperones and pay the full cost for those additional adults. The cost varies by event and is based on the housing and meal expenses. The number of additional coaches/chaperones is limited to 10% of the total number of athletes registered. The cost for each event is outlined below.
Winter Championships - $90
Alpine Skiing Championships - $400
Basketball Championships - $95
Summer Games - $150
Fall Championships - $95
For additional information contact Leisha Santilli.
Principles of Coaching Webinar
The first coach in the country to pass the Principles of Coaching Online Course via West Virginia University’s Extended Learning Department was Pat Smith from Franklin, Virginia. Here is what Pat conveyed about the instructor Sandra Ryder, Esq., Ph.D., and the course: “Thank you so much for all your help. I really enjoyed the class. It was very informative and helped me in preparing the training sessions better. I have forwarded the information to other coaches in my Area and am highly recommending it. Thank you again for everything.”
To take advantage of this great opportunity, go to http://www.elearn.wvu.edu/Continuing/Career_Training/ and scroll down to Principles of Coaching for Special Olympics. The cost is $35 for this self-paced web class.
Brad Stevens assumed the position of Rappahannock Region Director in September. Brad grew-up as a Special Olympics Virginia volunteer assisting his grandmother, Carol Raeburn, with the Norfolk program and watching his Uncle, Thomas Raeburn, compete as an athlete. Brad’s most recent volunteer responsibilities were as the Area 2 Coordinator and Web master.
Danielle Pokusa’s last day with SOVA as the Potomac Region Director will be Dec. 3. Danielle formerly served as the Rappahannock Region Director for over two years and worked enthusiastically with the volunteers and athletes in Areas 11, 23, 27 and 28. Danielle accepted a new position as the Activities Director for a pediatric rehabilitation center.
Brian Keenum left SOVA in mid-November. Brian was the Development Director in Southwest Virginia for three years. We are currently searching for Brian and Danielle’s replacements. We anticipate filling these positions in December or early January.
Do you like to knit or know someone who does? Special Olympics USA has launched a nationwide Scarf Project. The idea for a scarf project resulted from an opportunity to provide a gift of welcome for the athletes of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Boise, Idaho. A call went out for 5,000 Red Heart delft blue & white scarves, and by Games time, nearly 60,000 scarves had arrived from every state in the U.S. and from 12 countries around the world. (watch the video)
Handmade scarves donated as a result of the 2011 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project will be a symbol of unity, support, compassion and empowerment, as the Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters wear them with pride in knowing they have become part of the Special Olympics family.
The official colors are Red Heart Yarns 886-Blue and Red Heart Yarns 512-Turqua. All other standards and guidelines as well as free, downloadable patterns are available on the official site for the 2011 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project.
Mail completed scarves to Special Olympics Virginia's Richmond office at 3212 Skipwith Rd., Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23294. The scarves will be distributed to athletes at Winter Championships, Alpine Championships and possibly Basketball Championships.
Day with the Dukes & Day with the Flames
The fourth annual Day with the Dukes was held this fall for athletes in the Shenandoah Region. Sponsored by James Madison University’s Athletic Department, Day with the Dukes gives Special Olympics athletes the opportunity to interact with collegiate athletes and attend a JMU football game.
60 Special Olympics Viriginia athletes had the opportunity to kick and pass with JMU football players, participate in basketball and soccer clinics hosted by the men’s and women’s JMU teams, have a picnic provided by JMU’s catering company Aramark, and watch the Dukes play football.
Not to be outdone by their neighbor to the north, the Piedmont Region launched the first annual Day with the Flames in early October. Hosted by Liberty University, athletes spent time at a women's volleyball game, a volleyball clinic and their very own tailgate party, compliments of Liberty Catering, before ending the day with a Flames football game at the grand re-opening of Williams Stadium.
For more information about either of these events, contact Daniel Leake or Josh Walker.
Cool FUNdraising Awaits Your Area
Registration is now open for three of the coolest events all year -- 2011 Polar Plunge events! Visit www.polarplunge.com for more information and remember that participating Area teams keep 75% of all funds raised for Virginia Beach and Tim's Rivershore and Hill City/Liberty University events. Polar Plunge team fundraising is an easy Area fundraising tool--there are no overhead costs or event planning logistics. Just sign up your team on www.firstgiving.com/polarplungeva, raise funds, earn incentive prizes and have fun in February.
Area fundraising for last year's Virginia Beach event resulted in more than $39,000 in funds for Area 2 and its locals, $18,000 for Area 11 and $14,000 for Area 22 - York. Why not your Area, too?!
Remember, all raffles must be added to Special Olympics Virginia's gaming permit, a process that requires at least six weeks before the raffle can begin. There is an application requesting all of the details pertaining to the raffle that must be submitted.
Unfortunately, 50/50 raffles are not permissible. Another organization can sponsor a 50/50 raffle and give Special Olympics Virginia a donation raised through the 50/50 raffle, but Special Olympics Virginia Area and Local programs cannot sponsor 50/50 raffles.
Please contact Kim D’Errico for more information about raffles.
A New Twist to Run with the Law
Miles for Medals was a new event created by JMU’s Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) fraternity. Prior to the football game against arch rival University of Richmond, the JMU Fiji brothers ran the game ball 61 miles to Xions Crossroads and the Richmond Fiji brothers ran the ball the remaining 50 miles to the University of Richmond’s new stadium on campus.
The Fiji brothers on both campuses raised a total of $12,565 through pledges collected from families and friends. The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Department escorted the runners throughout the 111 mile journey.
Students in higher education are strongly encouraged to do community service activities. If you have a college or university in your Area, you have a potentially untapped source for volunteers and revenue. Find a service organization or club that emphasis community service and schedule a meeting with the leader. You’ll be surprised at how much college students can do for your program with a minimal amount of support.
Contact Daniel Leake for more information about Miles for Medals.
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