Special Olympics Northern California
Levels of Competition
Special Olympics Northern California
Levels of Competition
Revised
Athletes advance to higher levels of competition as described below in accordance with Special Olympics Northern California (SONorCal) policies and procedures.
- All levels of competition must be conducted using Special Olympics Sport Rules or National Governing Body (NGB) rules.
- Some regional and state/chapter level of competition, serve as qualifiers for other levels.
Scrimmages are events that may be conducted to include two or more teams from a Local Program or Area. These events do not qualify athletes for advancement in their sport, but simply serve as another competition opportunity.
Examples: scrimmages, dual meets, pick- up games, invitationals
Organizer: Coach or Area Director
Regional events include athletes from the entire area/county and may include other area/counties and are qualifiers for athletes to advance to Chapter/State competition.
Organizer: Sports Staff/Area Directors
Chapter/State events showcase the skills and accomplishments of Special Olympics athletes, and therefore, athletes must be well-trained. SONorCal offers competition in 11 sports.
Organizer: Sports Staff
USA Games are offered every four years. Each chapter/state of the US sends a delegation based on an allotment from Special Olympics North America (SONA).
Organizer: SONA Sports Staff & USA Games Organizing Committee (GOC)
World Games are offered every two years on an alternating between Winter Games and Summer Games. Athletes from chapters/states in the United States represent the Special Olympics USA team. SONorCal sends athletes to be part of the Team USA delegation, based on an allotment from SONA.
Organizer: SOI Sports Staff & World Games Organizing Committee (GOC)
