The newly established Park City delegation of Special Olympics Utah is expanding its scope to offer intellectually disabled individuals the opportunity to participate in additional team and individual sports. The organization is canvassing for athletes and volunteers.
Special Olympics provides developmentally disabled athletes ages 8 and up the opportunity to become part of a team and compete in a variety of individual and team sports at no cost to the participant. Without Special Olympics, that opportunity might not exist for many of the athletes.
The Park City Mountaineers established their inaugural team this past spring with golf. Four athletes participated and all advanced to the state competition. There golfers CJ Haerter and Andy Howell won gold medals in their divisions.
This winter, the Mountaineers are providing the opportunity to participate in basketball, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snow shoeing and ice skating in Park City and indoor golf at TopGolf in Midvale and IndoorGolfClub in Park City.
Special Olympics is a non-profit organization and the local delegation is completely funded through community support and coached by area volunteers. The winter offerings are receiving support from the National Ability Center, Park City Mountain Resort, the Park City Ice Arena, Woodward Park City, IndoorGolfClub and TopGolf.
The challenge, according to Park City delegation head Nathaniel Mills, is getting the word out to potential athletes and volunteer coaches.
“Special Olympics is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for developmentally disabled athletes and we are currently only helping a very small part of that community,” he said. “We’re reaching out to all Summit County and Wasatch County residents who may know someone who could benefit from our program to help spread the word. Park City and the surrounding area has so much to offer in the way of recreational activities, but options are very limited for our athletes. Please help us enrich the lives of the developmentally disabled in our area.”
Mills said athletes younger than 8 can practice with the group.
“No experience is required or expected, just a willingness to try,” he said. “Coaching can be a rewarding experience as well, again no expertise is required. High school athletes over 16 years old are also welcome to help and gain some valuable volunteer experience.”
Local parent and Special Olympics basketball coach Jim Meckoll, whose 20-year-old daughter, Taylor, participated in Special Olympics for 12 years in Oregon before relocating to Park City last summer, said: “I can’t overstate the role Special Olympics has played in Taylor’s life. It’s given her confidence, provided a social outlet and is something she looks forward to every week. I was so thankful that the program started up in Park City. It’s helped her make great friends and provided our family with an incredible support structure.”
To volunteer as a coach or help financially support the organization, or if you know a developmentally disabled athlete who would like to participate, contact Mills at [email protected].