Sport Programs
About Programs Offered in Our Community
To register for any of our programs, please watch the main page for registration information, or visit the Contact Us section to reach out to a sport specific club contact or the Programs Chair directly.
More information about all of Special Olympics Ontario’s sports can be found through their website (What We Do | Special Olympics Ontario)
Below is a list of programs that are commonly offered in the Ottawa community. Note that while some programs may be offered during Spring/Summer or Fall/Winter locally, all programs follow the Special Olympics Ontario and Special Olympics Canada competition cycle.
Spring/Summer Programs - Registration now open!
Athletics
Bocce
Golf
Soccer
Central Soccer Ottawa Program:
Do I 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!
West Ottawa Soccer Program
Softball
For more information about programs, please watch the main page for registration information, or visit the Contact Us section to contact the clubs directly.
Fall/Winter Programs
Alpine Skiing
Badminton
Basketball
Boccia
Indoor Bocce Program:
Do I 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!
Bowling
Curling
Floor Hockey
Nordic Skiing
Powerlifting
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Skating
Soccer (indoor)
Snowshoeing
Swimming
Barrhaven Seawolves
Nepean Sharks (Advanced)
Do I 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 (All levels)
Do I need experience to join?
This is a lap swimming program focused on developing and perfecting swim skills in the strokes of butterfly, backstroke, breastroke 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://documents.ottawa.ca/sites/documents/files/Hand_in_Hand_Request_form_en_2017.pdf
Orleans Riptides
Volleyball