TEAM DELAWARE ATHLETE APPLICATION PACKET SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, August 4, 2017 (Late applications will not be accepted)
2018 USA GAMES ATHLETE NOMINATION APPLICATION Enclosed please find information and nomination forms for athletes for the 2018 USA Games. The games will be held in Seattle, Washington from July 1-6, 2018. Special Olympics Delaware has the following positions available: SODE ATHLETES AND COACH ALLOTMENT BOCCE 2 Female, 2 Male, 1 Coach BOWLING 2 Female, 2 Male, 1 Coach SWIMMING 2 Female, 2 Male, 1 Coach POWERLIFTING 1 Male, 1 Coach TRACK & FIELD 2 Female, 2 Male, 1 Coach TENNIS 1 Female, 1 Male, 1 Coach Please refer to the next page Overview by Sport for information on what events are available. Note the information below when referencing the page: Track & Field: SODE has spots ONLY for those who qualify for events in Category 3 or Category 4. Swimming: SODE has spots ONLY for those who qualify for events in Category 2 or Category 3. Tennis: Athletes for all levels listed on the next page are encouraged to apply. Both athletes selected will come from the same level. If you are interested in applying as an athlete please do the following: 1. Read the Information Sheet, especially the MINIMUM STANDARDS section. 2. Fill out the application form completely. 3. Submit the application by Friday, August 4, 2017. (Late applications will not be accepted) Page 1 Selections will be made August 15, 2017. Those selected and not selected will be notified via mail.
OVERVIEW BY SPORT For all events: Final events for each athlete will be determined after selection. Track & Field SODE Athletes who are applying for Track & Field must be eligible for and select from events in the following categories ONLY. Athletes are restricted to participation within that category. Each athlete may participate in up to 4 events. Category 3: 100m run, 200m run, 400m run, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay, Shot Put, Running Long Jump Category 4: 400m run, 800m run, 1500m run, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay, Shot Put, Running Long Jump Swimming SODE Athletes who are applying for Swimming must be eligible for and select from events in the following categories ONLY. Athletes are restricted to participation within that category. Each athlete may participate in up to 4 events. Category 2: 25 butterfly, 25 backstroke, 25 breaststroke, 50 butterfly, 50 breaststroke, 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke, 100 freestyle, relays* Category 3: 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, 100 individual medley, 200 individual medley, 200 backstroke, 200 butterfly, 200 breaststroke, 200 freestyle, 400 freestyle, 800 freestyle, relays* Bocce SODE Athletes who are applying for Bocce will participate in the following 3 events at USA Games: Singles Doubles Team (4 person) Ramp Bocce is not offered at USA Games. Bowling SODE Athletes who are applying for Bowling will participate in the following 3 events at USA Games: Singles Doubles Team (4 person) Ramp Bowling is not offered at USA Games. Powerlifting Athletes may compete in any number of the individual events offered. Athletes may also enter one of the combined events based upon the individual events the athlete has competed in. Bench Press Deadlift Squat Combination (Bench & Deadlift) Combination (Bench, Deadlift & Squat) Eligibility for squat for SODE athletes will be determined upon selection. Tennis SODE athletes who are applying for Tennis must select one Level listed below. Athletes will compete in both Singles and Doubles competitions at the SO USA Games. Level 2 Short Court Match Play and/or rating below 4.0 Level 4 Suggested rating of 4.0 4.9 Level 5 Suggested rating of 5.0 8.0 Both athletes selected will be from the same level. Final event placement will be determined upon selection. Page 2
2018 Special Olympics USA Games Team Delaware INFORMATION SHEET MINIMUM STARDARDS Persons selected to represent Special Olympics Delaware (SODE) at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games must demonstrate good sportsmanship, dedication to training, desire to excel in sports, an understanding of the rules of the sport, and the ability to function well as a part of a team. Delegation members must not only be dedicated to their sport, but must also have the ability to commit extra time to training, travel to training camps and competition, and be involved in other National Games activities as determined by Special Olympics Delaware. Each athlete, coach and family must commit to the following if selected as a member of Team Delaware: All delegation members must be current registered participants with Special Olympics Delaware and have competed/coached in their respective sport in the year prior to the USA Games. For SODE athletes, according to the General Rules of Special Olympics, if a person fits all eligibility requirements then preference will be given to those receiving a gold medal at State Level Competition. However, if there are no gold medal winners who have applied, selection preference will go to the next highest placement in the sport. Athletes must be able to obtain a physical/physician s signature on a USA Games medical (this form will be provided upon selection to the team). Athletes must be able to handle long days (12-18hrs) independently or with minimal supervision (1:4 coach-to-athlete ratio). Athletes must be able to semi-independently manage the activities and skills of daily living, such as toileting, showering, personal hygiene, etc. All delegation members must be able to be away from their families and jobs, from approximately June 29, 2018 through July 7, 2018. (exact travel dates will be available at a later date) All delegation members must agree to train in respective sport and follow the Special Olympics Delaware Code of Conduct at all events and trainings up to and including the 2018 USA Games. Each delegation member selected must attend all training sessions as outlined by Special Olympics Delaware. This may include weekend trainings that will require athletes to be away from home and work. Transportation problems will need to be worked out in advance. Upon selection ALL team members (including coaches) will be required to attend the SODE Training Camp in Fall 2017 (tentative dates are September 11-13, 2017 but are not finalized and subject to change.) Page 3
TEAM DELAWARE (continued) All delegation members and family/legal guardian must be present at all required meetings and orientations as outlined by Special Olympics Delaware. Delegation members will be required to be with Team Delaware for the duration of the games, including but not limited to: travel to/from the games, travel during the games, and in housing and competition venues. Family visitation will be restricted at the games and members must be able to function during the games with minimal contact from family members. Delegation members must agree to refrain from addictive habits during all USA Games events and activities which includes smoking, drinking, chewing smokeless tobacco, etc. An athlete or coach may be removed from the delegation, at any time, for failure to adhere to the principles or fulfill the responsibilities of the criteria set forth by Special Olympics Delaware. An athlete or coach may also be removed for issues directly related to the health and safety of themselves or other persons involved with Team Delaware or the USA Games. The 2018 SO USA Games will require delegation members to walk to many venues (up to 30 minute in length). All delegation members must commit to participating in a general fitness program, provided by Special Olympics Delaware, that will increase their physical fitness and overall success at the games. The program will be implemented at the first meeting. Page 4
SPECIAL OLYMPICS DELAWARE 2018 USA GAMES ATHLETE INFORMATION All parts of this application must be completed for an athlete to be considered as an applicant for Team Delaware. Any form that is incomplete will not be considered. Any form that has been intentionally submitted containing false information will result in the disqualification of the application. This is an application for nomination ONLY and does not guarantee a position on the SODE team going to USA Games. All Athlete Applications must be submitted by Friday, August 4, 2017. (Please type or print clearly all information) This application is being submitted for consideration in the sport of: Bocce Bowling Powerlifting (male only) Swimming Please circle one category: Category 2 Category 3 Track & Field Please circle one category: Category 3 Category 4 Tennis Please circle the level that best fits. Level 2 Level 4 Level 5 PART A - GENERAL INFORMATION Athlete Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Home Phone: Age: Date of Birth: Gender: Male Female Email: Current Special Olympics Area: Page 5
PART B - SPORTS BACKGROUND Did the athlete compete in the sport applying for within the past year? YES NO If Yes, which events did he/she compete within that sport? If No, why not? Did the athlete win a gold medal in this sport at the State Level Competition within the past year? YES NO Number of years this athlete has been training in the sport applying for? Previous out-of-state competitions attended: Please list, if any, any experiences that required the athlete to be away from home overnight for an extended time (i.e. Camp Barnes). PART C SUPPORT INFORMATION Explain why you have nominated this athlete for the 2018 USA National Games. Please list accomplishments, personal experiences, years of involvement, and any information you feel would be valuable to the selection committee. Page 6
PART D - PARENT/GUARDIAN CONTACT INFORMATION Parent/Guardian Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone: (day) (evening) (cell) Email: PART E - SIGNATURES As a parent/ guardian, I understand that I may be responsible for all of the following: transporting the athlete to and from practices, attending meetings, assisting in the registration process, updating medical files, or any facet that would involve properly and efficiently preparing the applicant for this competition; and I am prepared to fulfill these responsibilities. Parent/Guardian Signature Date Relationship to Applicant Person completing application if other than Parent/Guardian: Name: Daytime Phone Number: Signature: Relationship to Athlete Date: Return to: SPECIAL OLYMPICS DELAWARE 2018 USA Games Selection Committee 619 South College Ave. Newark, DE 19716-1901 Email: gcimag@udel.edu FAXES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ALL applications must be received on or before August 4, 2017 Page 7