Athlete Leadership

Overview of Special Olympics: 
Ensuring our athletes have a clear and in-depth understanding of Special Olympics in New Zealand (and to some degree internationally) and what makes it unique.  Ensuring they are equipped with base knowledge to share their and our stories.

Defining Athlete Leadership:

• Guiding principles of leadership
• Leadership behaviours
• Key leadership skills
• Identifying and developing their personal leadership attributes
• Their own strengths and areas for growth

Roles and Opportunities:

• Identifying and developing roles in their communities and clubs
• Development of their personal leadership attributes and an on-going development / leadership plan

Though there are limited positions available each year – any Special Olympic athlete who demonstrates leadership qualities and has the support of their club will be considered for inclusion in the ALP, with the following factors taken into account:

• Athletes should be actively involved as a Special Olympics athlete, coach or official. The athlete should be involved year-round in competition to ensure they are familiar with the various programmes and competitions within their region. It is likely that the athlete will have already been involved on their club and/or committee in some capacity as an athlete leader.
• Athletes should be able to communicate effectively. They should demonstrate adequate expressive and receptive language skills.
• Athletes should demonstrate appropriate social behaviours, which include being able to get along with others, have a positive outlook, be dependable and demonstrate polite behaviour and good sportsmanship with a willingness to help when needed and the ability to motivate others.
• Athletes will be required to travel to Wellington for a number of full day sessions – the first will be with their mentor and then as part of their development they will travel alone.
• One of the sessions will be an overnight stay away from home, so it is important clubs nominate athletes they are comfortable will be able to manage the travel and overnight stay.
• Each athlete must have a dedicated mentor who is committed to working with them throughout the 9 - 10-month programme, supporting their development, home based work and ensuring they continue to push, challenge and celebrate their development.
• The greatest indicator of an athlete's qualification to participate is their genuine interest!

Athletes who undertake the ALP are wanting to give back and contribute to their clubs and fellow athletes, help to fundraise, and raise awareness of Special Olympics.

Just as our athletes need sports coaches to help them develop sport skills they also need coaches, mentors and facilitators to help develop their leadership skills.

The mentor role in the ALP is an immensely important part of the programme and the overall success of our athletes. Though we don't want to make the mentor role too onerous – equally we want to ensure mentors understand the commitment and their important on-going role.

In addition to the athletes undertaking an online interview with SONZ management – as part of the application process athlete mentors will also be interviewed separately to ensure they fully understand the scale of the commitment involved with having their athlete join the ALP.

Part of the mentor commitment is to:

• Undertake and interview separately from the athlete during the application process
• Join the athlete at the first session in the programme in Wellington. SONZ will cover the cost of flights, ground transport in Wellington, catering and course costs.
• Complete the Special Olympics International online mentor training module prior to Session One of the ALP

The ongoing mentor's role is to:

• Act as presentation coach and make yourself available to support your athlete in all aspects of their training and role an Athlete Leader.
• Debrief with the athlete after each workshop and provide guidance completing any homework tasks.
• Help the athlete organise presentation opportunities in their local community and at events; and to assist the athlete prepare and practice their speeches; and to accompany the athlete to those presentations.
• Be prepared to act as a liaison point with SONZ and your local club committee.
• Be enthusiastic, encouraging and patient…and have fun!

2027

Often scheduled alongside the Club Committee meetings, the athlete committee meet to discuss key activity from an athlete perspective and provide feedback and input to Club Board / Committee

Athletes undertaking coaching and/or assistant coaching roles

• Working with club leadership and volunteers to organise and deliver events
• Giving out medals, sports officials

Working with club and volunteers to organise, lead and deliver fundraising initiatives and events

Assisting SONZ RSC’s in school programme delivery opportunities

Lions Foundation, Rotary Clubs, Potential Sponsors and Grant Funders

Coming soon

To be a Special Olympics athlete mentor you must:

• Be registered with a Special Olympics Club
• Be 18 years and over and have undertaken the NZ Police Vetting process
• Understand the SONZ Participant Protection Framework

No specific qualifications are required – however we strongly recommend anyone who wishes to be a Special Olympic Athlete Mentor complete:

• The Athlete Leadership: Mentor Course which takes approx. 45 minutes to complete and provides an excellent base of learning.
• The Sport NZ online Safeguarding and protecting children and young people module
• Watch this short video from Special Olympics International – Changing the World Special Olympics Mission

This will vary from Club to Club. Discuss with your Club Chair, another Athlete Mentor, Athlete Leader, Athlete Committee and/or Club Committee to find out the opportunities and if any athletes are currently looking for mentors. Alternatively, if you have the opportunity – speak with the athletes whānau, coach or other support person.

It is critical that mentors are able to commit sufficient time to their athletes on a regular basis. This will vary from athlete to athlete but generally we would recommend mentors commit at least 12 months at a minimum, to a mentor relationship with weekly to fortnightly one-on-one meetings (or more as required).

We recommend that family members do not undertake the mentor role. This is to help ensure objectivity in the guidance, advice and provides a further opportunity for the athletes to build new relationships.

A Special Olympic Coach will work with athletes to improve their performance on the field or court of play. This relationship is very sport oriented and though there will be plenty of lessons athletes can apply to their lives, a Mentor focus should be on helping the athlete grow, develop and take up opportunities off the field of play.

Yes, mentors can mentor multiple athletes at a time, but should ensure they have sufficient time to give quality time to each athlete. Athlete meetings should be undertaken one to one – most of the time, with clear personalised plans, goals and thinking for each individual.

No, not at the moment. Most importantly they must be registered with a Special Olympics Club. SONZ is looking to develop a Mentor Network and provide opportunities to share advice, insights and best practice across Clubs so will be developing a list of those wanting to take part in webinars and other development opportunities.