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| Alps |
Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Programs allow athletes to explore opportunities for greater participation in our movement beyond sports training and competition: as coaches, officials, team captains, spokespeople and Board and committee members
These leadership roles give maturing athletes a voice in shaping the Special Olympics movement, and a chance to spread the word about the remarkable transformations Special Olympics can bring about in individuals and families. Athlete Leadership Programs also provide a way for athletes to showcase talents and interests that may have gone unnoticed
Through involvement with Athlete Leadership Programs, athletes can learn how to speak persuasively; interview with the media; mentor and speak up for other athletes; discuss their opinions on policy and governance; analyze financial reports; and research and prepare for fundraising events |
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| Young Athletes |
The Young Athlete program (YAP) is designed to introduce children ages two through seven to the benefits of sports involvement, and to prepare them for competitions when they are 8 years of age. This program is solely participation based, there is no competition.
‘Young Athletes’ is a sports play program designed to address two specific levels of play.
Level 1 includes physical activities focus on developing fundamental motor and tracking skills, and Eye-hand coordination play.
Level 2 concentrates on the application of these physical activities through a sports skills activity program and developing skills, consistent with Special Olympics Sports Play. |
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The YAP program has many benefits for the child as well as the family. The marked benefits for the child, in addition to a sports foundation, are : |
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An increase in coordination and strength |
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Socialization |
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Awareness of self worth and self confidence. |
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