Ottawa Athletics

Ottawa Bocce

Do you need experience to join?

No! Previous experience is not required to join this program! Bocce is played on a court and can be played as individuals or with teams. It involves setting a target ball and then each team works to throw/roll their bocce balls as close to the target as possible. Scoring is based on which team has the most balls closer to the target than the other team.

Do I need to compete if I sign up?

No, you do not! We may host or attend friendly, out of town tournaments but you are not obligated to sign up. When we compete, we play as singles or in teams of 2 or 4.  The coach will help decide which is the best fit!

What will I need to participate in this program successfully? 

Participants should bring water as well as closed-toe footwear (like running shoes). Balls and courts are provided!

Other:

Athletes must be able to hold a 2-pound ball and toss/roll it underhand on a grass or turf surface. Ramps are permitted for use but not currently available through our club (though we are making efforts to procure this equipment in the future).

Ottawa Golf West

Ottawa Golf East

Ottawa Central Soccer

Do you need experience to join?

No! Soccer experience is not required to join this program!

Do I need to compete if I sign up?

No, you do not! We may sign up for a tournament but participation will be optional!

What will I need to participate in this program successfully? 

Soccer cleats and shin guards are recommended (but not required). Please bring a water bottle!

Ottawa West Strikers

Do you need experience to join?

No! Soccer experience is not required to join this program!

Do I need to compete if I sign up?

No, you do not! We may sign up for a tournament but participation will be optional!

What will I need to participate in this program successfully? 

Bring a smile! Soccer cleats and shin guards are recommended. Please bring a water bottle!

Ottawa Softball

Ottawa Snowstars

Basketball is a team sport! Team sports offer many benefits as athletes enjoy training and succeeding as a team! Special Olympics Ottawa offers two programs for athletes who are interested in playing basketball as part of a team: (1) Ottawa Sharpshooters and (2) Ottawa West Basketball.

Kanata West Basketball

Ottawa Sharpshooters

The Sharpshooters Athletes are placed into one of two practice groups depending upon abilities and needs. This grouping is done based on collective (team) and individual considerations.

• The C Level Practice Group is for athletes with good athletic abilities. 

• The D and Recreational Level Practice Group is for athletes needing more support to learn and, in some cases, to play basketball, including adapted play.

*Please note that formal “divisioning” of teams for competitions/advancement is done in accordance with provincial (or higher) practices.

At the start of each season, all athletes  who register for the Ottawa Sharpshooters will be assigned to the most appropriate Practice Group depending based on needs and skills as assessed by the program coaches.   Any athlete whose abilities and needs are not known to the coaches, will need to attend an assessment practice. This step is a requirement to confirm registration.

If the numbers of athletes assigned to one or both Practice Groups exceeds the recognized capacity of that group(s) then a lottery will be held to allot the available spaces in accordance with the Community Guidelines. Any athlete not selected in the lottery before the capacity is reached will be placed on a Waiting List.  Athletes assigned to a waiting list will have the fee charged at Registration refunded.  If a spot on the Roster opens, the athletes on the Waiting List (in the order established during the lottery) will be invited to join the Practice Group.  They will need to pay the required registration fee again.

Do I need experience to join?

No!  The skills and knowledge of the rules of Basketball will be taught to all athletes in both Practice Groups.

Do I need to compete if I sign up?

No!  Attendance at tournaments is encouraged but not required.  Attending tournaments is an important way to improve your basketball skills and promote team camaraderie! Tournaments are also fun means to meet other athletes from other communities.

What will I need to participate in this program successfully?

The most important item athletes will need to participate is a good pair of athletic shoes.  They must have non-marking soles and provide good ankle support.  Other than that, clothing suitable for physical activity (shorts, leggings, t-shirt or singlet, socks) is needed.  The clothing needs to be close-fitting for the safety of all participants.  No hats or jewellery are permitted when on the court.

Other information:

Practice Times:  Practices for both Practice Groups are held on Tuesday Evenings from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. 

Venues:

• The C Level Practice Group practices at the Earl of March Secondary School at 4 The Parkway in Kanata, Gym E (Room 247)

• The D and Recreational Level Practice Group practices at the Roberta Bondar Public School at 159 Lorry Greenberg Drive, Ottawa

Attendance:  Regular Attendance at practice is expected  and enforced to           remain considerate of athletes on the Waiting List.

Ottawa Indoor Bocce Program:

Do you need experience to join?

No! Previous experience is not required to join this program! Participants should be able to lob or roll a soft ball up to 30 feet away.

This sport is very wheel chair friendly, but please note that ramps (adaptive) are not available from the program at this time.

Do I need to compete if I sign up?

No, you do not! Indoor bocce is not played everywhere so we will not be traveling to competitions. However, there may be an opportunity to connect with non-SO players in Ottawa. Indoor bocce is a good practice for outdoor bocce which does have a competition path.

What will I need to participate in this program successfully? 

Participants should bring  water as well as indoor gym shoes  to change into.  Balls and courts are provided!

Ottawa Alley Cats

Ottawa Strikers

Ottawa Curling

City View Curling

Do you need experience to join?

No! Previous experience is not required to join this program! Coaches work with athletes at all skill levels (novices and experienced curlers) and provide instruction based on individual needs.

Do I need to compete if I sign up?

No, you do not! There are opportunities to compete in Funspiels (for everyone) and SO competitive events (for more experienced athletes) but the choice is up to the athletes.

What will I need to participate in this program successfully? 

Participants should  have:

• Comfortable pants. Curling involves a lot of bending and stretching so wear loose pants that you are comfortable in.  If you can do lunges and squats in the pants you are wearing, you’ll be fine.

• Two Grippers. Before stepping on the ice, everyone has to put a gripper on both feet.  They are like small rubbers that fit over shoes.  Grippers can be purchased at some sporting goods stores or at Goldline (210 Colonnade Road) which specializes in curling gear. (Goldline provides a discount to Special Olympics curlers.)  You will need two grippers, one for each foot.  You do not need to buy a Slider.  When buying grippers, bring the shoes that you’re going to wear on the ice so you can try the grippers on.  They should be snug so they don’t fall off.  Sneakers can be difficult to fit.

• Head protection. You will not be permitted onto the ice without head protection. Ice is slippery and hard and fall do happen.   Hockey helmets, bicycle helmets, curling helmets, all give protection.  Goldline has curling helmets and padded hats.

• You do not need a broom or a curling stick.  The club has equipment that we can borrow.

Other Information:
In the City View Curling program, the emphasis is on learning the                          sport, perfecting skills, and having fun!

Ottawa Phoenix Floor Hockey

Do you need experience to join?

No! Athletes will learn the all the skills and knowledge of the rules that are needed!

Do I need to compete if I sign up?

No, you do not! Attendance at tournaments is encouraged but not required.  Tournaments tend to be overnight out-of-town events. When we have no such tournament to attend, we run an in-house round-robin event for our own players at the end of the season.

What will I need to participate in this program successfully? 

You will need a helmet (hockey style), shin pads, hockey gloves, athletic support, and running shoes. Please bring a water bottle! Elbow pads are recommended. Athletes will use the sticks and pucks that are provided.

Other Information:

Floor Hockey is a team sport! Team sports offer many benefits as athletes enjoy training and succeeding as a team! 

Practices are held on Saturday afternoons. 

Regular Attendance at practice is expected  and enforced to remain considerate of athletes on the Waiting List.

Ottawa Gliders Nordic Skiing

Ottawa Powerlifting (Beast Mode)

Do you need experience to join?

No! Powerlifting experience is not required to join this program!

Do I need to compete if I sign up?

No, you do not! We may sign up for a tournament but participation will be optional!

What will I need to participate in this program successfully? 

You will need to bring a clean pair of indoor footwear. Trainers that provide good stability and support are preferred. 

For practices, you will want to wear sports clothes that you can move in (such as a t-shirt and shorts/jogging pants). As you become more experienced and if you enter competitions, the coach will let you know what specific clothes you might need. 

Please bring a water bottle!

Other information:

Powerlifting has a lot of benefits for athletes who work well independently and as a team. While we will work with athletes of many different abilities, for competition, athletes must be able to do bench press and deadlift.

Rhythmic Spirals

Goulbourn Skating Special Olympics

Ottawa Indoor Soccer

Do you need experience to join?

No! Soccer experience is not required to join this program!

Do I need to compete if I sign up?

No, you do not! We may sign up for a tournament but participation will be optional!

What will I need to participate in this program successfully? 

A water bottle, comfortable clothes and gym shoes are required. Shin guards are recommended (but not required).

Other information:

Indoor Soccer is just like Outdoor Soccer, but played in a gym. Unlike outdoor soccer, we (almost) never cancel because of the weather! We will help you build your soccer skills through fun drills, games and of course a scrimmage at the end of the session.

Ottawa Snowshoeing

Do you need experience to join?

No! Snowshoeing experience is not required to join this program!

Do I need to compete if I sign up?

No, you do not! We may sign up for a tournament but participation will be optional!

What will I need to participate in this program successfully? 

You may be more comfortable using your own snowshoes, but we also have some for athletes who need to borrow. Before buying a new pair of snowshoes, please check with the coach so you can get the right type and size (Special Olympics has rules for competition)! 

You will need warm clothes and layers (like mittens, toque, boots, winter pants and jacket)

To participate successfully, snowshoers must be able to walk independently and unassisted.

Please bring a water bottle!

Other information:

Snowshoeing is highly weather-dependent. The length of our season and regularity of practices depends on the temperature and snow conditions!

Barrhaven Seawolves

Nepean Sharks (Advanced)

Do you need experience to join?

Yes! For the ADVANCED Sharks program a try out will be held for new athletes who register. Athletes should be prepared to swim between 60-120 laps in a single session (1500-3000M). Swimmers circle swim with several other athletes in the same late. Coaching includes swim drills for all four competitive strokes, starts, and turns. Practices consist of a 15-minute dryland warm-up and 90 minute pool session.

Do I need to compete if I sign up?

Yes,  athletes who are registered for the ADVANCED Sharks program are expected to compete in Special Olympics events and may also have the opportunity to compete in Masters Swim Ontario events.

What will I need to participate in this program successfully? 

Athletes should wear a competitive type (eg Speedo or other similar brand) swim bathing suit and goggles. A racing bathing cap is recommended. Athletes are responsible to bring their equipment bag to practice and use a variety of swim equipment including flippers, kick board, pull buoy and paddles.

Other information:

Practices take place in the 25 M 4 lane pool contained in a large pool complex with multiple programs running. Practices use space in both the 4 lane 25 M pool and the 16 foot deep end 50 M pool.

Nepean Sharks (Advanced)

Do you need experience to join?

This is a lap swimming program focused on developing and perfecting swim skills in the strokes of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle along with entry dives and turns (open or flip turns).  Practices are structured for Athletes to  swim up to 40 to 60 lengths in a single session (1000-1500M).

Swimmers circle swim with several other Athletes in the same lane. Practices consist of a 15-minute dryland warm up followed by a 90 minute pool session.

Athletes that are non-swimmers or who can not swim laps without assistance should register for a learn to swim program.  Special Olympics partners with SWAM  (formerly Swimability).

Please visit http://www.ottawa.on.swamcanada.ca/.

Swimmers unable to swim 2 laps without stopping or who are unable to swim independently in deep water may be required to bring their own 1:1 support person

Do I need to compete if I sign up?

No, however, athletes may have the opportunity to compete in Special Olympics events held in the District.

What will I need to participate in this program successfully? 

Athletes should wear a competitive type (eg Speedo or other similar brand) swim bathing suit and goggles. A racing bathing cap is recommended.

Other information:

Practices take place in a 25 M 4 lane pool contained in a large pool complex with multiple programs running.

For new swimmers, there are also swim lessons available through City of Ottawa. City of Ottawa runs a hand to hand program for ODSP recipients or for those families that may require financial assistance to allow for participation in City of Ottawa programs including swim lessons.   

https://ottawa.ca/en/family-and-social-services/older-adults/financial-assistance

Orleans Riptides

Ottawa Volleyball

Active Start Ottawa

Do you need experience to join?

No! Previous experience is not required to join this program! This program is open for children, aged 2-6 years, who have an intellectual disability.

Do I need to compete if I sign up?

No, Active Start is a family-centered activity program aimed at helping children learn basic motor skills such as walking, running, jumping, balancing and throwing in a fun and safe environment.

What will I need to participate in this program successfully? 

Participants  (children and their family/support persons) are required to bring  and change into clean, indoor, closed-toe footwear (sneakers). 

Participants are encouraged to wear athletic-wear or loose-fitting clothes. 

Participants should bring a full water bottle

Other:

This program is family-centered and families/caregivers are expected to be hands-on for all activities. This is not a drop-off activity. Families/caregivers play an important role in supporting to the development and success of building new skills and can bring what they learn in the program home! Recognizing that some children respond better working with coaches or volunteers, the coach may make some modifications throughout the program but families/caregivers should expect to always remain within the immediate program area. 

If families/caregivers bring other youth to the program (e.g., siblings), they will be asked to remain in the spectator area.

FUNdamentals Ottawa

Do you need experience to join?

No! Previous experience is not required to join this program! This program is open for children, aged 7-12 years, who have an intellectual disability.

Do I need to compete if I sign up?

No, FUNdamentals is a continuation of the Active Start program and is aimed at helping children transition from basic movement skills to basic sport and literacy skills while maintaining an atmosphere of fun and meaningful interaction. Previous experience in the Active Start program is not required.

What will I need to participate in this program successfully? 

Participants  (and any accompany adults) are required to bring  and change into clean, indoor, closed-toe footwear (sneakers). Participants  are encouraged to wear athletic-wear or loose-fitting clothes. 

Participants should bring  a full water bottle.

Other:

Families/caregivers play an important role in supporting young athletes to live a healthy, active life through sport. While families/caregivers are not expected to be hands-on for all activities, they are expected to stay in the immediate vicinity of the program area (i.e., gym) for the duration of programming. This is not a drop-off activity. 

Our coaches and volunteers recognize that every athlete learns differently. They will work with families/caregivers to make recommendations (such as suggesting more or less hands-on support) that ensure the athlete’s needs are met. 

If families/caregivers bring other youth (e.g., siblings) to the program, they will be asked to remain in the spectator area.