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Become a Mentor

A Health Messenger Mentor is someone who supports the athlete in their training as a Health Messenger and in their Health Messenger role after the training is over. Mentors can be coaches, family members, Special Olympics staff members or friends (including Unified Partners). This page contains resources to learn about the role of Mentors in supporting Health Messengers and the required training to become a mentor.

“Becoming a Health Messenger” Training

The aim of Health Messenger training includes providing athletes with a technical skill set that enhances their ability to be leaders and advocates for themselves and others in all aspects of health (e.g., health, fitness, with healthcare providers). The training empowers athletes to advocate for the health needs of people with intellectual disabilities and promotes athletes' knowledge of health and change in health behaviors.

Health Messenger Basics

In order to create more effective public health programs, improve health systems and have community engagement supporting the health of people with intellectual disabilities (ID), people with ID must have leadership roles.

December 2024

Year-end training on Health subgrant management and reporting requirements.Slides (PDF)

Level 1 Sport Assistant

Special Olympics International defines four different stages of the coaching pathway. Each level has different responsibilities and duties to build on the previous level. It takes training, experience, and practice to master each level before you advance to the next level. Here you will find training materials to for Level 1 – Sport Assistant.

Accreditation Webinar Recording (English)

2025 Webinar presented to Special Olympics Programs worldwide. (Video recording)

Philippines Leads the Way in Asia Pacific with Robust Commitment to Expand Inclusive Education

First country in the region joins Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion, to progress the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through education and sports.

A Quick Guide to Coach Recruitment and Retention

Special Olympics coaches are the heartbeat of our movement. Without our coaches, our sport programmes simply cannot exist. In every community around the world, coaches volunteer their time, their expertise, their energy and their passion, to ensure that children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have the opportunity to experience the power and the joy of sport.