The Belvidere Park District (BPD) Special Recreation participates in Special Olympics region and state competitions. Prior to competitions, athletes practice weekly at a BPD location for a minimum of 8 weeks per sport season. The BPD offers sports participation in the following ten sports: Swimming, Bocce, Track & Field, Golf Skills, Softball, Bowling, Flag Football, Volleyball, Basketball, and Snowshoe.

If you have questions about Special Olympics programming, contact Gina Ruvalcaba, Special Olympics Athletic Director (SOAD), at 815-547-5711 x602 or gruvalcaba@belviderepark.org.

Click here for the 2023 – 2024 Athlete/Parent Handbook.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS ELIGIBILITY STATEMENT

Special Olympics (SO) training and competition is open to every person with intellectual disabilities, 8 years and older.  All athletes must have the following completed before participation:

• Current SO Athlete Consent Form. This form only needs to be completed one time for the duration of participation, unless guardianship changes.
• Current Athlete Medical Form on file with SO Illinois and the Belvidere Park District. This document is completed by an athlete/guardian and doctor every 3 years.  This document must be current through the state level of competition for each sport, prior to registration.
• Complete ePACT – personal information on athlete and required by BPD Special Recreation. Once registered for a sport, you will automatically receive an email with an invitation to edit the information on ePACT.
• Attend the annual Athlete/Parent Meeting each year, as it will include pertinent information for the upcoming season. If you are not able to attend, you must contact the SOAD.  2024 Parent Meeting Date:  September 10, 2024 – 6:15 – 7:15pm at the Special Recreation Facility, 6581 Revlon Dr.

Click on preferred language for a digital copy of the Consent Form (English) (Spanish) and/or Athlete Medical Form (English) (Spanish).

To determine if an Athlete Medical Form is current:

• use the use the Athlete Lookup Tool
• contact your agency SOAD,
• or contact your contact your SO Region Office

Current SPECIAL OLYMPICS Sports & Activities

 

Basketball

Athletes Will learn the fundamentals of the game, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Focus will be on individual skills and team play, but divided by age and ability. Individual Skills practice for 8 weeks and compete at the Region A Tournament on January 11th. Teams will also practice for 14 weeks, spending more time working on team skills before the Region A Tournament on January 25th and in practice games throughout the season. A tentative schedule will be distributed on the first night of practice. Teams or Individuals who receive a gold medal at the Region A Tournament will advance to the State Tournament in March. If teams do not reach the minimum, they will be combined based on age and ability. (GR) Min/Max: Skills: 4/10, Teams: 8/15 • Location: Rivers Edge Recreation Center • Transportation: NONE; provide to/from games & tournament

REGISTER HERE

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Snowshoe

Athletes can choose from a variety of distances and relays to compete in during Region A tournament in Mendota on December 2nd (tentative). Practices focus on how to use snowshoes (we provide or you supply), conditioning with shoes on and distance you will compete in. Athletes who receive a gold medal at Regionals will advance to Winter Games held in Galena, February 2025. Practices will be held outdoors, except during extreme weather. Please dress appropriately(GR). Min/Max: 4/25 • Location: Sundstrand Park • Transportation: NONE; provide to/from games & tournament 

REGISTER HERE