Area 26 Day Only Participation in Special Olympics Virginia Sponsored Tournaments
AREA 26 Day Participant POLICY STATEMENT Adopted February 21, 2018
Area 26 athletes attending tournaments sponsored by Special Olympics Virginia are expected to participate with their team in competitions, meals and social events at the tournament and to stay with the team in their hotel.
In appropriate circumstances, a coach and the sports coordinator may permit an athlete to be a “Day Only Participant” in a tournament. This is a case-by-case decision. As a Day Only Participant, the athlete will play in the competitions, and should attend the tournament’s social events.
Participation in tournaments outside of Area 26
Sports not normally represented by SOVA State Games (i.e. Fall, Basketball, Summer) may elect to compete at events held by other States. There are also special tournaments call NIT (National Invitational Tournaments) held for certain sports during the year.
Attached at the button is an extended Q&A to clear up questions concerning participation in NIT / special tournaments outside of the area.
USA Games qualification process
For all future USA Games, all eligible Area athletes will be submitted for the draw provided there are no behavioral issues or ongoing disciplinary actions.
In addition, all athletes must meet the selection and advancement qualifications in their sport (e.g., minimum performance standards for their gender in order for them to be entered in the draw and selected to USA Games).
If an athlete is selected, and SOVA has any questions or concerns about the athlete's ability to operate independently or need special accommodations during the trip, they will address those at the time of the draw with the responsible season directors, sports coordinator, coach and parents/guardians.
If it is determined that the athlete needs an aide for safety and assistance, Area 26 will not pay the costs of transportation, lodging or other expenses, the family involved must provide these resources.
Transportation Policies for events outside of Area 26
Athletes are allowed to drive themselves to Special Olympics events if they have a valid Virginia Driver's License. Note: Athletes who are part of a delegation must STAY with the delegation, and may not leave (e.g. during the night...) without a Coach or Class-A chaperone.
If any driver intends to transport others who are not family members with them, The driver will need to be Class-A Volunteer certified.
Teams may elect to raise funds to pay for and utilize a rental vehicle to transport athletes. The Area will not cover the costs for rental vehicles. Area policy is that the CLASS-A driver selects ALL coverages. Note that only vehicles up to 11 Passenger Vans are authorized.
SOVA has an arrangement for discounts with Enterprise Rent a Car. If selecting them use discount code : XZ21355
Financial Considerations
All Sport / Season / Program budgets must be approved by the Council. Normal cycle is to submit funding requests mid-Summer, for the Fiscal Year. Expenditures within the budget must be be approved by the Sport Coordinator.
Any additional or unplanned expenditures (e.g. additional travel, unplanned tournament registrations, etc.) must be approved by the Sport Coordinator, Season Director and for large expenses by the Council.
Local Forms
Links to all necessary paperwork that comes up as new in support participation in Area 26 Special Olympics