Special Olympics North Carolina is Launching Flag Football and Pickleball - Sport Management Team Volunteers Needed to Support!

Help Launch Two New Official Sports!

Special Olympics North Carolina is excited to officially introduce flag football and pickleball as competitive sports beginning in fall 2026. While both sports are already active at the community level, SONC is seeking volunteers with sport- specific expertise to serve as Sport Management Team Members to help ensure a strong launch and build sustainable, high-quality competition for years to come.

Make a Meaningful Impact

As a Sport Management Team Member, you will play a key role in shaping the athlete experience - helping to deliver organized, inclusive, and competitive opportunities for Special Olympics athletes across North Carolina.

What We’re Looking For:

We’re seeking individuals with strong sport knowledge and a commitment to the Special Olympics mission. Relevant experience may include:

• High school or collegiate coaching and/or officiating
• Competitive participation in the sport
• Recreational or competitive sport management
• Professional instruction
• Local program coaching

What to Expect:

• Lead a virtual or in-person coach training prior to the fall season
• Participate in a few virtual evening Games Management Team meetings (approximately one hour each) leading up to the state tournament
• Provide on-site competition support at the Fall Tournament (November 12-14, 2026 in the Charlotte area)

Choose Your Focus Area:

• Competition and Training
  • Support the planning and execution of competitions for your assigned sport (Flag Football or Pickleball), ensuring consistency, adherence to Special Olympics rules, and a high-quality athlete experience.
• Coach Education
  • Lead virtual and/or in-person trainings, share best practices, and support the development of coaches statewide.