Volunteer with Special Olympics Ireland
Volunteer with Special Olympics Ireland
There are many ways to get involved with SOI. You can volunteer at an event, or on a more regular basis in a local club.
Try volunteering at a Special Olympics Event near you!
Autumn marks the start of the new sports year for Special Olympics athletes in their network of 313 clubs across the island of Ireland.
(opens in a new window)Special Olympics Eastern Region currently offers 15 sports (13 summer & 2 winter sports). Most sports have competitions or events happening throughout each year. Examples of the sports delivered include; Alpine Skiing, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Equestrian, Floorball, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Kayaking, Pitch & Putt, Swimming, Table Tennis and a Motor Activities Training Programme.
The full list of SOI Events 2019/20 is available here.
While each event varies on the roles that are available, each event requires volunteers. These roles vary from the following:
| Event Manager | Competition Manager |
| Event Services Manager | Operations Manager |
| Safety Officer | MC for Event / Head Starter |
| GMS Coordinator | Logistics Coordinator |
| Awards Coordinator | Awards Assistant |
| Staging Coordinator | Staging Assistant |
| Catering Coordinator | Catering Assistant |
| Umpire/Referee/Rules enforcer | Medical Coordinator |
| Volunteer Services Co-ordinator | Photography Volunteer |
| General Volunteers |
More information on these roles can be found on the Special Olympics (opens in a new window)website.
Through sport, athletes develop both physically and emotionally. They make new friends, discover their dreams and feel included. As a volunteer, you enable athletes to achieve, not only in sport, but in life too.
Volunteering is fun and rewarding. Your contribution will help change the lives of SOI athletes and it can change your life too!
If you are interested in volunteering at one or more of these events, please contact Lauren at (opens in a new window)lauren.murphykelly@specialolympics.ie or call (01) 891 2000 to begin your volunteer registration. Garda vetting is mandatory, however it is valid for three years once completed, and if following through process as directed, on average takes only 22 days for full vetting and registration to be completed.
Try volunteering in a Special Olympics Club near you!
Special Olympics Eastern Region has 70 clubs. These are run in Dublin, Wicklow coastal towns as far as Arklow, and some of Kildare (Leixlip, Celbridge, Maynooth). While each club varies on the roles that are available, each club will require volunteers. The full list of SOI club details for UCD employees and students 2019 can be found here.
These roles vary from the following, and training will be provided so you know what you are taking on before you commit:
- Club Management Roles
- Chairperson
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Club Safeguarding Officer
- Membership Officer
- Sports Officer
- Coaching Roles
- Head Coach
- Coach
- Assistant Coach
- General Volunteer roles
- Assisting in registration, logistics and a great way to see the club sessions before deciding if you want to go down and more specialised route etc.
- Health promotion facilitator
Through sport, athletes develop both physically and emotionally. They make new friends, discover their dreams, and feel included. As a volunteer, you enable athletes to achieve, not only in sport, but in life too. Special Olympics values their volunteers and they need your involvement in many areas of the programme.
If you are interested in volunteering with one of the clubs, please contact Lauren at (opens in a new window)lauren.murphykelly@specialolympics.ie or call (01) 891 2000 to begin your volunteer registration. Garda vetting is mandatory, however it is valid for three years once completed, and if following through process as directed, on average takes only 22 days for full vetting and registration to be completed.