Welcome to the Special Olympics Washington
Athlete Leadership Program!
We are a catalyst for inclusion and strive to keep the athlete’s voice at the center of everything we do. Athlete Leaders lead the way as drivers of our mission to include throughout the organization to bring the athlete perspective and create stronger programming.
The purpose of the Athlete Leadership Program is to empower athletes to develop leadership skills and utilize their voices and abilities to undertake meaningful leadership roles, influence change in the Special Olympics movement and create inclusive communities around the world.
Special Olympics Washington Athlete Leaders are coaches and officials, they are staff members and board members, they are event volunteers and public speakers, they are council facilitators and volunteer coordinators; Athlete Leaders do it all and so much more!
Guiding Principles of Athlete Leadership
Unified Leadership
The Unified Leadership approach educates leaders on the importance of inclusion and removing barriers restricting people with intellectual disabilities from reaching their full potential.
Learn more HERE.
Athlete Leadership Trainings
Leadership trainings are designed to support Athlete Leaders to develop leadership skills and prepare to take on specific leadership roles. Once Athlete Leaders complete the two core modules they can take advanced trainings in health, speaking, governance, and more.
Ongoing Leadership Positions
Special Olympics strives to become an athlete-led organization. The Athlete Leadership programs support the placement of Athlete Leaders in meaningful leadership roles locally and on the state level.
Get involved in the Athlete Leadership Program!
Develop Your Leadership Skills!
Special Olympics Washington offers leadership trainings for athletes to develop their leadership skills and set personal leadership goals. Trainings will prepare athletes to take on meaningful leadership roles.
Learn more about leadership trainings HERE.
Check out the events calendar for upcoming trainings!
Join an Athlete Leadership Council
An Athlete Leadership Council (ALC) is a group of Athlete Leaders run by Athlete Leaders collaborating with the local program to represent the athlete voice, improve the experience of athletes locally, and develop the leadership skills of members along the way. ALCs have the freedom to identify their own projects and tasks to work on.
Learn more about ALCs HERE.
Ongoing Leadership Positions
Special Olympics Washington strives to become an athlete-led organization. The Athlete Leadership programs supports the placement of Athlete Leaders in meaningful leadership roles locally and on the state level.
Learn more about Athlete Leadership roles HERE.
To learn more contact:
Madison Goverde | Vice President, Program and Community Impact
Email