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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:
- Assist athletes in learning sports skills and applying them in competitions
- Encourage confidence and self-esteem through sport
- Obtain equipment for athletic training
- Help to recruit athletes and assistant coaches
- Register athletes for competitions
- Conduct demonstrations in the community
- Start Special Olympics Unified Sports® teams

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.”