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Fan Gin-Chia (Michael) loves competing — he's won gold at the World Games — but says his greatest joy came when, like his mother Angela (pictured with him above), he became a Special Olympics Certified Coach and started working with the younger children in the Chinese Taipei Program.
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Athletes as Coaches
After years of participating in the same sports, many athletes report that they are looking for new activities and challenges. Allowing athletes the option to formally move into coaching gives them an opportunity to continue their involvement with Special Olympics in new and challenging ways.
Athletes as coaches also provide a new source of reliable volunteers to help expand program offerings in sports that the athletes are most interested in.
How can athletes as coaches help a Special Olympics Program?
When communities and other athletes see Special Olympics athletes stepping up to Assistant Coach and Head Coach roles, they see Special Olympics as inclusive and cutting edge. When athletes see an opportunity to grow and take on new roles, they are more excited and engaged in Special Olympics.
An Athletes as Coaches Workshop is available from Special Olympics free of charge.
For more information on specific ALPs initiatives, visit the links below:
• ALPs Training
• Athletes on Boards of Directors
• Athletes as Coaches
• Athletes as Officials
• Global Messengers
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