Basketball

Basketball is one of the top sports for Special Olympics Washington. Players take it up at all ages and at all abilities, from young players learning to handle the ball and keep it under control while dribbling to older, more experienced players who have the moves and know the strategies to play challenging ball. We offer team events as well as individual skills competitions that help athletes train and compete in basic basketball skills before advancing to team play.

It is also one of the favorite sports for the Special Olympics Unified Sports initiative, when players with and without intellectual disabilities form teams to play other unified teams. It's a learning experience that brings together communities and helps foster a spirit of inclusion.

Basketball is offered in all 16 of Special Olympics Washington’s Areas.

Basketball was first contested in 1968 at the first Special Olympics Games in Chicago, Ill.

Local Community Contacts

Basin Area Director
Tim Toon
Ttoon@sowa.org

Capitol Area Director
Cheyenne Baird
Cbaird@sowa.org

Cascade Area Director
Chad VanderPoel
Cvanderpoel@sowa.org

Columbia River Area Director
Cheyenne Terry
Cterry@sowa.org

King County Area Director
Chad VanderPoel
Cvanderpoel@sowa.org

North Central Area Director
Tim Toon
Ttoon@sowa.org

Northeast Area Director
Tim Toon
Ttoon@sowa.org

Peninsula Area Director
Cheyenne Baird
Cbaird@sowa.org

Pierce County Area Director
Cheyenne Baird
Cbaird@sowa.org

Southeast Area Director
Tim Toon
Ttoon@sowa.org

Tri-Cities Area Director
Tim Toon
Ttoon@sowa.org

Valley Area Director
Tim Toon
Ttoon@sowa.org

Upcoming Basketball Events