Become A Coach

Become A Coach

Your Impact
Can Change Lives

Are you a new coach?

New coaches are Class A volunteers and must register with SOLA to get certified to begin coaching. If you need to check your certification status: click here.

Returning to coach again?

Welcome back Class A volunteers. Log in to our membership area to connect with local programs, renew your certification, or find out more information.

Find Coaching Leaders
& Events Near You

Special Olympics Louisiana (SOLA) offers coaching opportunities across 20 Olympic-type sports to help individuals with special needs. Coaches help athletes train over eight weeks and arrange practices to compete in the State Games. SOLA follows sports training and competition guidelines set forth by Special Olympics Inc. 

Why Should I Become a Coach?

A Positive Sports Experience Starts with the Coach. Coaches are the key to a successful sports experience for the Special Olympics athlete. As a coach, you teach sports skills and model good sportsmanship and character. You give Special Olympics athletes the most immediate awareness of their self-worth, ability, courage, and capacity to grow and improve both on the playing field and off.

The lessons our athletes learn through sports – teamwork, self-discipline, goal setting, and appropriate socialization skills – carry over into their everyday lives, making them more productive and respected members of society.

Why Become a Special Olympics Louisiana Coach? Whether you love sports or have no sports experience at all, you can become a Special Olympics Louisiana coach! Hundreds of Louisianians have decided to enrich a Special Olympics athlete’s life by becoming a certified coach. Without you, potential athletes are left on the sidelines of life. You will be provided all the information and training necessary to become a coach at no cost.

Responsibilities as a Coach:

Check Certification Status

This document is updated at least once per month.  Completion of course requirements (General Orientation, Protective Behaviors, Concussion Training, and Background Check Consent) are listed with the person’s name.

Sports certification expires every three years, as do Background Checks, Protective Behaviors, etc.  Expiration dates are noted on the report.  If your certification has expired or is about to expire, go to the Class-A Volunteer Page to re-enter your information.

Local Coordinators can use the filter function to see only their program’s coaches. In the “delegation” column, click on the pull-down arrow and uncheck the “select all” box, then put a check in the box for your delegation/parish. Click “OK.”

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Our Newsletter

Stay up-to-date on all things SOLA by subscribing to our monthly newsletter for updates on events, athlete shoutouts, and ways to get involved!

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