Join Our List |  | | | GENERAL SESSION CANCELED | | Tonight's General Information Session HAS BEEN CANCELED. PLEASE STAY POSTED FOR A RESCHEDULE DATE. We apologize for the inconvenience! Contact Tom Peyton at tpeyton@nyso.org or (212) 661-3963 x 218 with questions. Thanks! | Polar Plunge | | What is a Polar Plunge? Polar Plunge is a chance to be one of the thousands of brave souls with warm hearts across the state who will plunge into winter waters to show their support and raise money for the Special Olympics. Come join us for this fun and zany event! If you don't want to take the plunge yourself, come out and cheer on those who are taking a chilly dip! Saturday, February 27, 2010 Rockaway, Queens http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=326212 CONTACT: Elizabeth Forest Associate Director of Development (212) 661-5217 ext. 14 eforest@nyso.org www.specialolympicsny.org  | Partnership | | Special Olympics is proud to partner with the Association of Legal Administrators. The Association raised nearly $7,000 in support of athletes in New York City and New Jersey. In addition, members of the Association volunteered at various athletic competitions. We are grateful to the Association of Legal Administrators for helping our athletes achieve their personal best.   | Coach Training | | A note to all new coaches who attended trainings: your paperwork has been submitted to Special Olympics New York Headquarters to be processed. You should expect to receive a letter saying your application has been approved within the next 30 days and we will contact you to set you up with a training club to start your practicum. In the mean time, please visit www.specialolympics.org/protectivebehaviors to take the mandatory online quiz. Questions? Please contact Tom Peyton at tpeyton@nyso.org or (212) 661-3963. Thanks! | Introducing the SONY Fan Club! | | The Special Olympics New York FAN CLUB is all about celebrating and supporting the Special Olympics mission with family and friends! Special Olympics New York is celebrating its 40th year of competition. The FAN CLUB is a perfect opportunity to start celebrating this milestone anniversary. Celebrate the First 40 Years to Ensure the Next 40. Our vision is a world where every person, regardless of their ability or disability, is accepted, welcomed and valued - where each individual can contribute to the strength and goodness of his or her family, community, and country. If you are a fan of sports that create unity, athletes who inspire, and connections that foster acceptance, then you are already a fan of Special Olympics. So make it official! Gather your family & friends and join the Special Olympics New York FAN CLUB. Together we'll recruit even more FANS, raise awareness and funds for our athletes. BE A FAN OF RESPECT, ACCEPTANCE AND INCLUSION. >> JOIN FAN CLUB NOW << | Criteria for Advancement | | Criteria for Advancement The Criteria for Advancement in accordance with SO General Rules (and Regional Policy) are as follows: * Travel Ability - can both athletes and coaches alike tolerate and benefit from the experience * Demand Survey - training club interest and availability If the number of eligible athletes exceeds the quota, we must then implement a systematic criteria for advancement: "Advancement begins with the distribution of a quota for a limited number of allocations to each accredited program. The program is then charged with the responsibility to select athletes in accordance with formalized Criteria for Advancement as defined by the Special Olympics General Rules, Article 7, section 7.08(e) and the Sports Rules Article 1, Section (k). To be considered eligible, athletes must have participated at the previous level of competition prior to advancing to the next higher level." (for example, a local bowling tournament) "Priority is given to all first place finishers from all divisions of the specific sport/event in consideration.We are required to do the same with second, then third place finishers and so on until we have filled our allocation." Please be encouraged to read and learn more about Special Olympics. Additional educational material and the General Rules can be found at: www.specialolympics.org | Medical and Consent Policy Overview | | Eligible individuals register for Special Olympics training by completing the Medical Release and Consent form. Forms are available from the Regional Office. A valid form must be completed in full. The athlete's full name, not a nickname, must be identified. Always be sure to list the Primary Training Club and Agency. Medical forms are valid for up to three (3) years. Training Club Head Coaches must review, update, and maintain the Medical and Consent records. A copy must be sent to the Regional Office and a copy must be maintained by the Training Club Head Coach. Medical and Consent forms must travel with the athletes to alltrainings and competitions. Athletes without Medical and Consent forms will not be permitted to train or compete. | Future Dates for State Games | | Summer 2010, June 4-5, Utica Summer 2011 TBD Fall Games 2010 Oct 1-3 Seneca Falls Winter Games 2010 Feb 5-6 Syracuse Winter Games 2011 TBD | REMINDERS | | Training Rosters Needed! COACHES: Please submit your completed winter rosters to Colleen Everett at ceverett@nyso.org or fax to our office (212) 661-4658. Any training club that plans on training or competing in the upcoming season must have a form on file. Contact Colleen with any questions. Thanks! | Upcoming Events in the NYC Region | | January 30, 2010 Gil Hodges Local Bowling Tournament and Bowlathon Athletes from Brooklyn DDSO and Unique People Services compete for bronze, silver, and gold medals. Athletes, coaches, and volunteers participate in fundraising. February 5-6, 2010 New York State Winter Games, Syracuse, NY February 27, 2010 Polar Plunge, Queens Immerse yourself in the cold waters to show your support for NYC Special Olympics athletes. Opportunity for sponsorships and employee team building through fundraising team efforts. February 28, 2010 Gil Hodges Local Bowling Tournament Athletes from various Brooklyn-based training clubs compete in bowling. February TBD, 2010 NYC Regional Winter Season Feedback Meeting April 18, 2010 NYC Regional Basketball Tournament, New York University This is a full day of Olympic-style basketball competition at New York University. The tournament is run completely by a student committee at NYU. Athletes from the five boroughs compete. Opportunity for volunteering and sponsorships exist. April 24, 2010 NYC Regional Basketball and Aquatics Tournament, Fordham University Featured at the event will be over 400 athletes competing for gold, silver and bronze medals in two Special Olympics sports; aquatics and basketball (team and skills competitions). Joining the athletes will be college level sports stars, family members, game volunteers, cheering spectators and corporate sponsors. Opening Ceremonies will begin at 10:00am. The Medal Rounds of Competition are from 11:00am to 3:30pm. May 15, 2010 Riverside Park Spring Games, Riverside Park, Manhattan Athletes from the Riverside Park Training Club compete in athletics. May TBD, 2010 Metro Tournament, Queens College Featured at the event will be athletes competing for gold, silver and bronze in athletics (track and field), volleyball and powerlifting. Joining the athletes will be professional sports stars, local dignitaries, family members, game volunteers, cheering spectators and corporate sponsors. The entire event will be conducted in a tradition of Olympic-style pageantry, ceremonies and participation. The Special Olympics athletes will welcome and share with all who attend the excitement of sports competition and the sheer joy of the human spirit. Volunteering and sponsorship opportunities exist. June 4-5, 2010 State Summer Games, Utica, NY September TBD, 2010 New York City Regional Fall Invitational, Cunningham Park, Queens Special Olympics softball teams from the five boroughs and Long Island will compete in softball team and skills and bocce throughout the day. November 13, 2010 New York City Regional Bowling Tournament and Bowlathon, AMF 34th Avenue Lanes, Queens, NY Athletes from the five boroughs of NYC participate in bowling fun! Athletes, volunteers, and coaches participating in fundraising. January 15, 2011 Peter Aquilone Memorial Floor Hockey Tournament, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Manhattan | | | |