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VOLUNTEER AS A COACH

A Positive Sports Experience Starts with the Coach
Coaches are the key to a successful sports experience for the Special Olympics athlete. As a coach, you teach sports skills and model good sportsmanship and character.  You give Special Olympics athletes the most immediate awareness of their self-worth, ability, courage, and capacity to grow and improve both on the playing field and off.

The lessons our athletes learn through sports – teamwork, self-discipline, goal setting and appropriate socialization skills – carry over into their everyday lives, making them more productive and respected members of society.
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Why Become a Special Olympics Louisiana Coach?
Whether you love sports or have no sports experience at all, you can become a Special Olympics Louisiana coach! Hundreds of Louisianians have made the decision to enrich a Special Olympics athlete’s life by becoming a certified coach.  Without you, potential athletes are left on the sidelines of life. You will be provided all the information and training necessary (at no cost to you) to become a coach.
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Responsibilities as a Coach

• Assist athletes in learning sports skills and applying them in competitions
• Encourage confidence and self-esteem through sport
• Obtain equipment for athletic training
• Help to recruit athletes and assistant coaches
• Register athletes for competitions
• Conduct demonstrations in the community
• Start Special Olympics Unified Sports® teams
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​How to get certified as a Special Olympics Coach
The Coaches Certification Program is a process designed to train volunteers who wish to develop their coaching skills and become certified Special Olympics Louisiana coaches.  Coach’s certification is for anyone who plans to coach Special Olympics Louisiana athletes.

Click here to learn about the steps to becoming a certified Special Olympics Louisiana coach.
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Current Coach Resources

Check Your Certification Status Here

Check Your Certification Status
If you would like to check your certification status, you may do so by clicking on button above. This document is updated at least once per month.  Completion of course requirements (General Orientation, Protective Behaviors, Concussion Training, and Background Check Consent) are listed with the person’s name.

Sports certification expires every three years, as do Background Checks, Protective Behaviors, etc.  Expiration dates are noted on the report.  If your certification has expired or is about to expire, just go to the Class-A Volunteer Page to re-enter your information.

Local Coordinators can use the filter function to see only their program’s coaches. In the “delegation” column, click on the pull down arrow and uncheck the “select all” box, then but a check in the box for your delegation/parish. Click “OK”.
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