MONTGOMERY RELAY

 

RELAY

May 2007       Page 4

 

 

RELAY

There has been interested expressed to me from many of our athletes and families to start a tennis program in SOMO. Last year the state (SOMd) introduced tennis as an official competitive program in Special Olympics Maryland, and I am very excited to let you all know that this summer/fall, SOMO will be able to offer a tennis program that will culminate in competition at the Fall Fest in October at Mt. St. Mary’s! Our new Community Partner MCTA ( Montgomery County Tennis Association) has offered to sponsor and support the program with funding for facilities and equipment and volunteer coaches, buddies and Unified Partners! The training will begin in mid August on Sundays from 4:30-6 at a local park: Cabin John Park. We will use the outdoor tennis courts and tennis wall for training. The program is open to all SOMO athletes, but space in the program will be limited to 15 athletes this first season, so if you are interested you must mail in the sign up form in this issue ASAP to reserve your spot. You do not need to know how to play tennis to join the tennis team. We will focus on all tennis skills and all athletes will compete in Individual Skills until they are assessed to have reached the ability level to play mixed doubles in a Unified format. Each athlete will have a coach/Unified Partner assigned to him/her  to train each week. Competition in skills and then in Unified mixed doubles is the initial goal of the program. Our friends at MCTA have made a commitment to extend the program through the year for additional practice on our game if there is enough interest. I have tried hard to make sure that there is not a direct conflict with the golf program, TOPSoccer program or the cross country running program so that many of our juniors can consider this program and still train in other SOMO programs.

When I receive your sign up form you will be called with more details. If you have questions about the new Tennis Team Program please email me at jeyclan@verizon.net or call the office at 301 424 3083. Great news! Thank you MCTA!

Our new Cross Country Running Program will be back for its second year this fall and Coach Sponge Bob and Team Manager Joyce Plaxen are hoping to see all of our track and field athletes as well as other SOMO athletes who want to get/stay fit for sport! The Summer CC Running program is likely to be held on either Saturday or Sunday morning at Lake Needwood. A mid-week run is also likely. All details will be announced in early July on the web and by communication to you.

 

YOU MUST SEND IN THE SIGN UP FORM IN THIS ISSUE SO THAT WE CAN CONTACT YOU TO LET YOU KNOW THE DETAILS. When Fall sports begin, the CC Running Team will train on Sunday mornings.

SOMO will host a Cross Country Race and we will attend at least one other Road race as well as consider our Team Runners for competition in the State Cross Country Race in October

( details TBA).  Email Joyce Plaxen  at           adaptmyworld@comcast.net with questions.

SOMO is considering forming a Cycling Program. To begin with the SOMO Program will be a “club program” that will focus on cycling basics and endurance. Competitions will be considered as the program grows. You must have your own bicycle and be able to transport it to the safe training area chosen by Coach Springuel. Athletes in this program must also have a chaperone/Unified Partner accompany them in the training program. The program would begin in summer and run through the fall. If you are interested please send in the sign up form in this issue  AND contact Renny Springuel to express your interest and for details: rennyspringuel@netscape.net.

The Golf Team will begin practice on Wednesday August 15th at the Falls Road Golf Course from 5-6:00  and all returning golf team members must attend the season orientation and first practice. If you plan to return to the golf team or are interested in participating on the golf team YOU MUST send in the sign up form ASAP. Spaces are very limited and at this point the golf team is full, but a waiting list is being formed and all will be considered. Remember that all    athletes must have a Unified Partner in order to train in the program.