Please take a moment to read thru the information below for dates, locations and registration materials for Special Olympics Maine’s upcoming Regional Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) opportunities.
This year’s sites, dates and times are as follows:
Central Maine
Wednesday, March 21st @ 9:30 AM
Hampden Academy in Hampden
Registration Deadline March 7th, 2018
Southern Maine Tourney
Wednesday, May 9th @ 9:30 AM
North Yarmouth Academy in Yarmouth
Registration Deadline April 25th, 2018
It is important to understand that this program is designed to offer athletes with severe to profound disabilities an opportunity to participate in a Special Olympics program. The program is not one of competition by nature, but rather stresses participation. It is an opportunity for this very special population to “show their stuff.” We have targeted six activity areas. The culmination of the Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) is a Motor Activities “Training Day.”
Each athlete attending will have the opportunity to “show their stuff” in at least 3 activity areas, depending upon the areas that he or she has prepared for. Additionally, those coaches who have attended a Motor Activities Coaches Training School, and have athletes prepared to attempt their own “goals and objectives” are encouraged to prompt their athletes to success during the event. Coaches are ENCOURAGED to bring any equipment that will help display their athletes success during the event.
The Motor Activities Training Program is very adaptable, using many different types of adaptable equipment and means for achieving the greatest level of participation. Levels of assistance from coaches range from verbal to “hand over hand”; whatever it may take to get the desired results with this very special population.
Schedule for Both Events:
9:30am – REGISTRATION
9:45am – WARM-UPS/PREPARATION, ROM, stretching; done by coaches bringing athletes
10:15am – PARADE
10:30am – MOTOR ACTIVITIES, time to visit the different venues
11:30am – MEDAL PRESENTATIONS
12:00pm – LUNCH – you need to bring your own (any remaining awards will also be given)
After lunch – DEPARTURE
It’s a busy schedule with a lot to do! We are looking forward to a great time with these special athletes!
Again, we’d like to stress that the essence of this day is participation, not competition, and INTERACTION AT THE VENUES BETWEEN YOU & YOUR ATHLETES IS A MUST! It is you, the coaches, that have been training with your athletes – so you know how to get the best from your people! Let’s come together to give these athletes a chance to “show their stuff!”
*ITEMS of IMPORTANCE*
1. Please don’t forget to bring your own lunches!
2. If you have other questions or concerns call us at 879-0489.
– Registration Deadline for Central ME MATP is Wednesday, March 7th
– Registration Deadline for Southern ME MATP is Wednesday, April 25th
New This Year! All Winter Games registration forms are Google Forms (much like the Winter Games Quota Application). This will allow you to complete each registration form electronically with just a click of a button! Once you have submitted a registration form you will receive an email confirmation.
Coach Education Policy: ALL registered coaches (Head of Delegation, Head Coaches & Assistant Coaches) must have a current certification for the following; Class A Volunteer Screening, Protective Behaviors Course and Concussion Awareness and Safety Recognition Course. You can find these documents/links on our website at www.somaine.org/sports/coachs-corner/become-a-coach/. If not already completed, they MUST be completed by registration deadline.
Head of Delegation: This person is responsible for the entire delegation including; athletes, head coaches and assistant coaches. This person will send and receive pertinent information to and from Special Olympics Maine regarding; registration forms, athlete unified partner and coach requirements.
Head Coach Requirements: Every delegation must assign one certified head coach for every sport that they have athletes competing in. This person is responsible for the entire sports team including; athletes, unified partners and assistant coaches. Head coaches will be the liaison between their sports team and SOME. For Delegations with more than 1 Team you MUST have a Certified Head Coach for each Team (2 Teams = 2 Head Coaches) If you have questions regarding this policy, call Ian Frank at 879-0489 or email at IanF@somaine.org.
Assistant Coaches: Anyone registered with your delegation that is not an SO Athlete, Unified Partner, Head of Delegation or Head Coach. Assistant Coaches will include any other support staff or chaperones. They must have completed the minimum coaching requirements in the SOME Coach Education Policy. This can be found on our website at www.somaine.org/sports/coachs-corner/become-a-coach/Â
Medicals & Consent Forms: ALL Athletes must have current medical & consent forms on file at Special Olympics Maine’s State Office. It is your responsibility to insure that these (2) (current/completed) forms are on file here at our office, for every athlete you plan to bring to the games. If we already have a medical on file for an athlete and it is less than three years old, you don’t need a new one, unless there has been a significant physical/medical change in one of your athletes. You may email Mark at laurenl@somaine.org to check on medicals in your file. We recommend that you make two copies of each medical/release form – keep one file of all medicals in a safe place and have a file with all your athletes’ medicals that travels with you to events. Blank Medical and Consent Forms can be downloaded by going to our website: www.somaine.org/sports/athlete-resources/.
Directions for Completing the
2018 Regional MATP Registration Forms
Click on the links below to for specific event registration forms. Each Delegation must submit both forms to properly register for any MATP Event.
- MATP HOD, Head Coach & Assistant Coach Registration Form – completed by the Head of Delegation (HOD – person responsible for your team). Be sure to list all additional coaches/chaperones attending the games.
- MATP Athlete Registration – complete to register athletes
General Notes:
- Don’t miss the registration deadline
If you have questions about Special Olympics Maine MATP, the enclosed information, or the regional opportunities, don’t hesitate to call us at 879-0489.
Hope to see you there!