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RETURN TO PLAY GUIDELINES

Updated December 8, 2022

The health and safety of everyone involved with Special Olympics Rhode Island continues to be our top priority during these challenging times.  Since the state of Rhode Island is currently  experiencing a “low transmission rate” for COVID-19, SORI is following the “Low Risk Phase” guidance on Return to In-Person activities outlined by Special Olympics, Inc. for our Winter Sports Programs.

This “Low Risk Phase” guidance is based on the latest information from the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health authorities.  It has been created in consultation with a team of global medical experts and with input from Special Olympics stakeholders.  This guidance is above the local and state levels because of the high risk of COVID-19 to our athletes.

During this “Return to Play – Low Risk Phase”, Special Olympics Rhode Island will be functioning under the State of Rhode Island Reopening Regulations for event size and risk mitigation along with the additional Special Olympics, Inc guidelines for screening, mask wearing, social distancing and hygiene protocol.

All athletes will remain in this “Return to Play – Low Risk Phase” for the sports/activities that they are participating in until the state’s transmission rate for COVID-19 increases to a higher level, and it is appropriate to move up to a more restrictive stage. 

Winter Sports/Activities that will be offered during “Return to Play – Low Risk Phase” will be Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding, Nordic Skiing & Snowshoeing, Traditional Basketball, Basketball Skills, SO College Unified Basketball, Unified Duckpin Bowling, Unified Ten Pin Bowling, Unified Volleyball.

Additional information for each sport being offered is provided below.

Any questions regarding our Return to Play Guidelines, please contact Adam Johnson, interim Chief Program Officer at Adam@specialolympicsri.org.

SORI “LOW RISK” COVID Guidelines:

  • Vaccination is NOT a requirement for participation in SORI activities, but we would appreciate proof of vaccination from all participants that are vaccinated.
  • SORI recognizes full vaccination as having received your initial doses; the booster is NOT required to meet criteria for full vaccination
  • Masks are now optional for all vaccinated participants at indoor trainings and events for SORI; we ask that you please wear a mask if you are not vaccinated
  • Masks are optional for everyone at outdoor events for SORI
  • Spectators are asked to respect and follow all COVID-19 protocols for SORI
  • If you are practicing or competing at a venue with stricter policies for COVID-19; you are to follow the guidelines of the venue

TRADITIONAL BASKETBALL

  • Games will be played on Wednesday nights at various gyms throughout the state on January 18th, 25th, February 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd
  • Game times range from 6pm to 8:30pm based on location
  • Tournament – Saturday, February 25th @ 9am at Providence college
  • Coaches must submit rosters to Adam Johnson by December 19th Adam@specialolympicsri.org

2023 Traditional Basketball Tournament Schedule

BASKETBALL SKILLS

  • Weekly training to be organized by Head Coaches
  • Seasonal sport offered to the Unified Juniors program as well
  • Tournament – Sunday, February 19th @ 9am at Providence Country Day School, East Providence, RI
  • Coaches must submit rosters to Adam Johnson by January 4th Adam@specialolympicsri.org

ALPINE SKIING & SNOWBOARDING

  • Practices held every Tuesday beginning January 17th from 6pm-7:30pm @ Yawgoo Valley in Exeter, RI
  • State Winter Games on Saturday, March 4th at Yawgoo Valley @ 9am
  • Registration with Louise Miller Louise@specialolympicsri.org

NORDIC SKIING & SNOWSHOEING

  • Meet & Greet/Trying on Snowshoes on Sunday, December 11th at 11am @ Goddard Park in Warwick, RI
  • Practices held every Sunday beginning Sunday, January 8th from 10:30am-12:00pm
  • State Winter Games on Sunday, February 26th – More info TBA
  • Registration with Louise Miller Louise@specialolympicsri.org

UNIFIED DUCKPIN BOWLING

  • Weekly training to be organized by Head Coaches of participating teams
  • Tournament – Saturday, March 18th @ 2:30pm and Sunday, March 19th @ 12pm at Town Hall Lanes, Johnston, RI
  • Coaches must submit rosters to Adam Johnson by January 30th Adam@specialolympicsri.org

UNIFIED TEN-PIN BOWLING

  • Weekly training to be organized by Head Coaches of participating teams
  • Tournament – Saturday, April 1st at AMF Lanes, Cranston, RI
  • Coaches must submit rosters to Adam Johnson by February 13th Adam@specialolympicsri.org

 

Volleyball

UNIFIED VOLLEYBALL

  • Games will be played on Wednesday evenings starting March 8th
  • Teams will alternate weekly to play at either Bryant University or Johnson & Wales University from 6pm-8pm
  • Tournament – TBA
  • Coaches must submit rosters to Adam Johnson by February 27th Adam@specialolympicsri.org

SO COLLEGE - UNIFIED BASKETBALL

SO COLLEGE – Unified Basketball (Ages 18-29)

  • Practice starts week of February 27th
  • Athletes sign up individually and are then assigned to teams based on where they live
  • Locations include Bryant University, Providence College, and University of RI
  • Games played on Monday evenings beginning mid-March
  • Tournament – TBA
  • Athletes must register with Louise Miller by Monday, February 13th at  Louise@specialolympicsri.org

 

 

YOUNG ATHLETES

Young Athletes (Ages 2-7)

UNIFIED JUNIORS

Unified Juniors (Ages 8-15)

  • Winter Season – Unified Basketball Skills
  • Tournament – Sunday, February 19th @ 9am at Providence Country Day School, East Providence, RI
  • Coaches must submit rosters to Adam Johnson by January 4th Adam@specialolympicsri.org
  • All interested families can register with Stephanie Beaudette Stephanie@specialolympicsri.org
  • Program offered at the Smithfield YMCA, the MacColl YMCA in Barrington, Bayside YMCA in Barrington, the South County YMCA, and the Pawtucket Family YMCA.

UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS

Elementary, Middle and High Schools interested in Unified Champion Schools programming should contact Stephanie Beaudette at stephanie@specialolympicsri.org to get involved.

Spring Opportunities:
UCS – Middle School Unified Basketball
UCS – High School Unified Basketball

  • Zoom Coaches Meetings on Feb. 15th
  • Games will be played beginning the week of March 10th
  • Tournament TBA

GET UP AND MOVE

Get Up and Move fitness classes  – TBA