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Text Box: SOMO is committed to developing a Juniors component to all of our sports programs. In some cases the juniors programs will train and compete separate from the Seniors and in some cases, the juniors and seniors will train side by side. It is important that the skill training and competition experience for the juniors be developmentally designed to give them the best opportunity to do their best, learn new skills and have fun! As our juniors age into high school, we will strive to form high school soccer, basketball and softball teams and leagues for them to train and play in so that they can keep the friendships going and growing and continue to improve their sports skills. When our athletes graduate from high school they will be entered into the seniors training and competition programs and have the opportunity for a life-long sport experience. Developing and putting into play so many levels of training and competition in SOMO takes time and the shared talent of many parents and volunteers. If you can help in the management of a team or in coaching or helping the coach, please contact Pam Yerg. We need you all to help us build heroes! Text Box: Coaches frequently hear the question: “ how do I get a chance to compete in state games?” While there are slight variations in each sport and in each sport season, the basics remain the same. You must: Have a current, complete SO medical application on file Sign up for your sport and attend the very first practice so that you are registered on the team roster. Attend all practices that are offered in your sport and work hard to demonstrate good sportsmanship and willingness to learn your sport Attend the required qualifiers for your sport ( usually at least 2) Your coach will ask during the season who wishes to be “state eligible”? And you must make it clear that you are interested in training to achieve that level. Text Box: JUNIORS PROGRAMS INFO PAGE

PASA ( Potomac Adaptive Sports Association) is a sports program that is offered in partnership with The Potomac Community Center and MCRD. This program gives our athletes and other children with special needs an opportunity to come together with great community volunteers and play basketball in the winter and t-ball in the spring!  If you are interested in participating in the SOMO Junior Basketball Round Robin , and do not attend one of the schools that fields a team, you should plan to train on and play on TEAM PASA.. Athletes age 10-14/15 are eligible to sign up for TEAM PASA. We hope to be able to field an elementary team this year in addition to our middle school team.

February 2007      Page 8

 

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Text Box: Track and Field Team-mates Patrick Jones and Aaron Hyndman enjoying Summer Games

Track and Field

Most our junior athletes who have gotten to know Special Olympics and other SOMO athletes through participation in TOPSoccer or basketball come out in the spring and join the track and field team. The juniors train together with a great coaching staff and have the opportunity to compete in the SOMO Spring Games Track and Field Meet as well as other competition opportunities. There may be a limited number of “day-of” slots made available to junior track and field athletes in the State Summer Games.

The track and field team has secondary mid-week practices that will be established by the coaches and announced at practice. State Competition eligibility will be determined by attendance at practice as well as the number of allotments that SOMO receives. A letter describing the track and field details and competition details will go out with the athletes at the first practice. If you have questions regarding your junior athlete participating in track and field, email Joyce Plaxen, our team manager at adaptmyworld@comcast.net

Each County program will receive a limited number of allotments for each sport in each state games event. Our coaches then determine which athletes have met the criteria for selection to compete in state games. They will consider not only your attendance at practice and your sportsmanship and attitude, but your ability to have a good experience in a multi-day, demanding competition setting. Transportation, coach and chaperone support are very important factors in determining how many and which athletes SOMO can send to any SOMD State Competition Event. Questions? Email Pam Yerg  at jeyclan@verizon.net