Junior Athletes
Junior Athletes provides an age-appropriate introduction to sports for children with and without intellectual disabilities, ages 6 – 12 years old. Resources for Junior Athletes include a comprehensive implementation guide and sport-specific curricula from Special Olympics sport federation partners. These sport-specific, inclusive, and age-appropriate activities are not meant to be structured as a new Special Olympics program or initiative, but rather can be used to support a child’s transition to traditional Special Olympics participation, or as an introduction to Unified Sports.
Junior Athletes Intro Guide (PDF)
The ultimate starting point! See how Junior Athletes bridges the skills gained in Young Athletes—like balance, coordination, and teamwork—into more structured, sport-specific activities.
Junior Athletes Pickleball (PDF)
Take agility, reaction time, and hand-eye coordination from Young Athletes to the next level in one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide.
Junior Athletes Athletics (PDF)
Channel running, jumping, and throwing skills into exciting track and field activities that encourage resilience, focus, and healthy competition.
Junior Athletes Football (PDF)
Build on kicking, passing, and spatial awareness skills from Young Athletes while fostering communication, cooperation, and strategy in the world’s most popular sport.