​Coaches teach the skills and spirit that define a true athlete. Coaches are role models and character-builders.  Special Olympics coaches go even further — they help athletes with intellectual disabilities find their own strengths and abilities. They also show them how to build upon those strengths and improve every day.

Coaches also get a lot in return. They get to know athletes who inspire — athletes who are brave and determined, despite the odds against them.  Coaches become more than teachers, mentors and role models — they are seen as leaders in the community.

To become a coach:

1. Complete the SOMS Coaches Certification
2. Download your Certificate
3. Email  your paperwork to the local area director.

Special Olympics is run almost entirely by volunteers. Over 6,000 volunteers provide manpower for Special Olympics Mississippi. Our volunteers include people from all walks of life – high school and college students; retirees; members of civic and fraternal groups; amateur and professional athletes; sports officials and coaches, teachers, parents, and law enforcement personnel.

• Coaching
• Competitions
• Competition & Event Planning/ Management
• Fundraising
• Medical
• Office Support
• Public Relations
• Sports Management
• Sports Volunteers

Special Olympics requires all volunteers to participate in the Protective Behavior Training

Special Olympics sports officials ensure adherence to the rules and safe competition, and are necessary to ensure the integrity of the sport.

We encourage everyone officiating Special Olympics competitions to become certified in their sport and provide an opportunity for anyone interested, including Special Olympics athletes, to become a certified Special Olympics sport-specific official.

The Special Olympics Officials Training and Certification process consists of three parts.

Officials with a National Governing Body (NGB) officials’ certification and/or an International Sport Federations (ISF) officials certification should participate in Part 1, which provides an introduction to Special Olympics, officiating Special Olympics events and any necessary rules and sport equipment modifications, and Part 3, which entails officiating 10 hours or five Special Olympics sport-specific competitions under the observance of an experienced Special Olympics official and/or competition staff member.

Those individuals with neither a NGB nor an ISF officials certification must also complete Part 2 of the process, which focuses on the competition venue, games management and the various officiating positions of the sport.

When participants in the training process have completed all the requirements, they must complete the Special Olympics Sports Training Certification form; have a local Program staff member sign off on the completion requirements; and send the completed form to the Program office

​Find A Program