Special Olympics New York Western Region: Western Region Program Report

“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

~ Athlete Oath ~

Weekly Program Report:

This Week in the Western Region

Week of: August 29^th, 2008

This week…State Games Registrations

Coaches,

State Games Quotas have now been sent to everyone and I wanted to thank everyone for your patience. Registrations are due back to the office by Friday, September 5^th…so a quick turn around is needed!!! It is hard to believe that the games are just around the corner but we are only 5 weeks away!!!

Secondly we have a number of important deadlines coming up especially in regards our Super Regional Bocce event and the Upstate Fall Classic which will be held at TSE on Saturday September 20^th. Registration forms are attached above for your perusal.

Super Regional Bocce deadline is today – please get the registrations to our Central Region office no later than Monday. The fax number is (315-473-5072)
Upstate Fall Classic registrations (Soccer and Softball) are due back by Friday September 5^th and should come into the Genesee and Western office (585-586-7065).

Thirdly, Melissa Wiggins (Director of Development) is looking for athletes to assist in the Upcoming “Bike and Badges” event on Saturday, September 13^th. The event will begin in Hamburg and we would like to have as many Western Region athletes and volunteers involved as possible. Please contact Mwiggins@nyso.org if you and your athletes would like to be involved.

Program Meeting

The next program meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 15^th at 6:30pm. We are tentatively scheduled to meet in Springville but may move the location depending upon attendance. Please confirm your presence as soon as possible. Thanks in advance.

FUTURE CONFERENCES

NEXT CONFERENCE WILL BE IN DECEMBER 2008!!!!!

Why should you attend?

It is the quickest way to get all of the information pertaining to the region.
Update your existing certification and background check (needs to be done every 3 years).
Get certified in new sports or learn new coaching concepts in sports where you have previous certification.
Keep up to date with the changes at Special Olympics—learn the new concepts.
Complete online Protective Behaviors.
Get a free lunch!!!!
Meet all the amazing volunteers from around the region.
Coaches Recognition-attend 3 consecutive conferences and receive a great Special Olympics Coaching Bag

The Western Region hosts three Sports conferences per year at the beginning of each of our seasons:

MIMO…

E-MAIL RMITCHELL@NYSO.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Aarons and RAC promotion

Aarons and “Rent a Center are currently running a fantastic Special Olympics promotion in a great number of their stores across the state. Customer donations in the form of purchasing a “Torch Icon” directly support our athletes. If you are passing a store please stop in to say “thank you” to their great sales staff. In one store that we visited in Buffalo last Thursday, over 70 icons had already been purchased which I am sure you will agree is a phenomenal effort! Many thanks to Aarons and Rent a Center for supporting our fantastic athletes.

Super Regional Bocce in Rome, NY

Coaches,

You may have noticed that our Super Regional Bocce event has been moved from SMS Seneca to the Toocaloona Club in Rome. This represents a longer road trip for our Western Region athletes and we need to begin planning immediately. To this end, I need to get a list of clubs that are interested in going and an approximate number of athletes. Once we have this information we can create the best ’plan of attack’ to ensure that our Western athletes get the best possible experience from this event.

Please e-mail rmitchell@nyso.org

If you plan on attending this event. Thanks in advance

Thanks to Alle-Cats and Grand Island for confirming attendance.

Online Calendar

The Western Region Calendar is now complete for the remainder of the year. Registration forms for Regional and Super Regional Events will be posted next week. To access the calendar please visit:

http://nyso.org/Western/Wcalen.php

Please ensure that this information is passed along to fellow coaches, athletes and families.

Meds and Consent Binder

Reminder: That the Med/Consent binder needs to be presented at the beginning of each event and be present at all training sessions/trips etc. This will be checked at registration on the day of the event and should include valid Meds/Consents for each of the athletes participating. If you do not bring your binder to the event we cannot allow your team/individual to participate.

Development

Bikes and Badges

Bikes and Badges will be taking place on Saturday, September 13^th. For more information, please see the attached flyer above or contact Mwiggins@nyso.org

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