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Athlete

How to Start an Agency

  1. Meet with your SOWI Regional staff and receive a Prospective Agency Packet.

  2. Work with SOWI staff to determine the demographics of your Agency (i.e. ages served, geographic boundries, type of agency), and how your agency fits the bigger picture.

  3. Recruit one or more volunteers to serve on your Agency Management Team (AMT).

  4. Register your Agency

    1. Complete the Agency Registration form

    2. Complete the Class A Volunteer forms

    3. View the General Orientation Video

    4. Complete the Protective Behaviors online screening

  5. Meet with your SOWI Regional Staff for an Orientation

  6. Identify key volunteers for leadership positions on AMT and designate meeting times and agendas.

  7. Recruit athletes ages 8 years old and older of all abilities through schools, residential settings, the Arc, work centers, churches and families.

  8. Hold orientation for athletes and families to determine what sports they would like and availability of coaches, facilities and equipment also enlist them to help with the remaining steps.

  9. Recruit coaches through athletic clubs, sports federations and governing bodies, schools and universities, service providers, parents and family members.

  10. Register coaches utilizing the Class A volunteer process including screening, viewing the General Orientation video and completing the Protective Behaviors Online training.

  11. Train coaches by promoting their attendance at Certified Training Schools (CTS). Key points include: SOWI mission and philosophy, how to coach SOWI athletes, rules, divisioning, expectations and how to spot and foster athlete leadership.

  12. Meet with athletes, coaches, parents/siblings, providers and volunteers to set sports training schedule.

  13. Conduct athlete training a minimum of 8 sessions in each sport prior to competition. Stress skill development, offer local competition opportunities, and involve peer coaches.

  14. Compete and potentially advance to Regional and/or State level competition.

  15. Establish more enhanced relationships with schools, families, residential facilities and the community.

  16. Promote public awareness: the message of competence and value, importance of sports recreation; education and employment; and contribution to inclusion.

  17. Evaluate Agency and continue to expand services and empower athletes.