BADMINTON Special Olympics Sports Skills Program

Additional age groups may be established if there is a
sufficient number of competitors within the last age group
for both individual and team sports.
An athlete’s age group is determined by the athlete’s age on
the opening day of competition. The age group of a team is
determined by the age of the oldest athlete on that team on
the opening day of competition.
In individual sports, if there are fewer than three competitors
within an age group, the athletes shall compete in the next
oldest age group. That age group shall then be renamed to
accurately reflect the entire range of competitors within that
age group. Age groups may also be combined to reduce the
variance between the highest and lowest scores within a div i s i o n .
In team sports, within each ability group, age groups may be
combined to create divisions. If there is only one team within
an age or ability group, that team must be combined with
other teams for competition.
Unified Sports
U n i fied Sports is a program that first combines approx i m a t e ly
equal numbers of Special Olympics athletes and peer athletes
without intellectual disabilities on sports teams for training
and competition. Second, all players (Special Olympics
athletes and partners) are of similar age and ability. Special
Olympics athletes in this program need to have the necessary
skill level to participate in the sport so they can be
appropriately matched with partners.
Unified Sports is an important program because it expands
sports opportunities for athletes seeking new challenges. It
also dramatically increases inclusion in the community by
helping to break down the barriers that have historically ke p t
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people with and without intellectual disabilities apart. Unified
Sports also provides an opportunity for individuals with
intellectual disabilities who are not presently involved with
SOI (especially those who are mildly affected) and those
in communities where there are not enough SOI athletes
to conduct sports teams.
Unified Sports is an important addition to the overall SOI
program and helps to further its mission. Teams are
constructed to provide training and competition opport u n i t i e s
to challenge all athletes and it often leads to improved selfe
s t e e m , equal status with peers, and new friendships.
Motor Activities Training Program
Special Olympics Motor Activities Training Program
(MATP) is designed for persons with severe limitation
who do not yet possess the physical and/or behavioral skills
necessary to participate in official Special Olympics sports.
The program provides a comprehensive motor activity and
recreation training curriculum for these participants. The
MATP can be administered by trainers with various
backgrounds (physical educators, recreators, and therapists)
and with assistance from peer trainers and other volunteers.
In addition, direct care workers, parents, and volunteers will
find the MATP helpful in developing appropriate motor
programs for individuals with severe limitations.
The Motor A c t ivities Training Program uses goals, short - t e rm
o b j e c t ives, task analy z e dactivities, assessments, and teaching
suggestions for individualizing motor activity instruction.
However, the MATP emphasizes training and participation
rather than competition. In addition, the MATP provides the
means for persons with severe limitations to participate in
appropriate recreation activities geared to their ability levels.
These activities can be conducted in schools and large
residential facilities as well as in community-based settings.
Individuals who participate in MATP activities work as hard
as other Special Olympics athletes, and they deserve recog n i t i o n
for their efforts. Special Olympics has created a Challenge
Medal and Ribbon to recognize participants who have completed
an MATP eight-week program and who have part i c i p a t e d
in a Training Day. Participants in MATP activities at local,
area, and chapter events should also receive T-shirts, hats,
pins, and/or any other form of recognition that is provided
to all Special Olympics athletes.
When MATP participants reach the necessary readiness and
skill levels, each Special Olympics sport provides an appropriate
transition into that sport, but at an introductory level. Specifi c
events are identified in the Official Special Olympics Summer
and Winter Sports Rules books for athletes with low ability
levels. For example, in athletics, an appropriate choice for
competition would be the 10-meter assisted walk.