
ATHLETE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

If we want a more inclusive organization and accepting world, Special Olympics Delaware athletes must be allowed and encouraged to contribute in ways beyond the sports field. One of the most powerful ways we do this is through Athlete Leadership, which creates opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to develop and demonstrate their abilities in leadership roles both inside and outside the organization. Athlete Leadership partners with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Special Olympics athlete leaders) to ensure they are set up to succeed in meaningful leadership roles. This is done by providing training in knowledge and skills, practical experience in roles of responsibility, and working with leaders without IDD to develop inclusive environments.
3 GUIDING PRINCIPLES
There are three guiding principles for Athlete Leadership. These principles provide strategic direction and outline what components are necessary to ensure athletes are “leading the way.”

Principle 1
The first principle is Education and Awareness Building utilizing the Unified Leadership approach to developing leaders. Building from sport, Unified Leadership teaches leaders (both those with AND without ID) that we all have a responsibility to develop diverse leaders.
Principle 2
It is important that all non-Special Olympics athletes acknowledge that athletes have a choice in how and where they lead in Special Olympics. This is their program, and staff and volunteers are here to support them. But for them to succeed, they need to be trained in the areas that they choose to pursue.
Principle 3
Special Olympics athletes hold the power to change the world through sport; that is the organization’s founding principle. Athlete Leadership teaches our athletes to gain the knowledge and confidence to lead programmatic work. This is their organization—we are here to support them.

Interested in becoming an athlete leader?
Meet our athlete leaders.
FITNESS COACHES
Fitness Captains are athletes on a sports team who lead the team in activities related to fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Fitness Captains can use their leadership and communication skills to encourage and empower fellow athletes to be healthy and fit on all Special Olympics teams.
Connect
With Us!
Special Olympics Delaware
619 South College Ave.
Newark, Delaware 19716
302.831.4653 / info@sode.org
