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)