Policies

Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis, Weapons

  • Special Olympics Massachusetts has established that all sports training venues, competition venues, housing facilities, ceremonies venues, and Olympic Towns will be alcohol, tobacco, cannabis (of any form), non-controlled substances, and vaping free. Special Olympics Massachusetts coaches, chaperones, volunteers, family members, and athletes must agree to abstain from the consumption and use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, cannabis (of any form), non-controlled substances, and vaping during the entire course of all Special Olympics Massachusetts events, training practices, and activities.
  • No concealed weapons or firearms are allowed at any Special Olympics Massachusetts event!
  • Any coach, chaperone, volunteer, family member, or athlete in violation of this policy will face disciplinary action from Special Olympics Massachusetts, which could result in the violating individual(s) being sent home and suspended from future participation with Special Olympics Massachusetts.

Recreational Swimming

  • Special Olympics Massachusetts does not allow recreational swimming at any Special Olympics Massachusetts sponsored function (event, overnight, party that uses SO funds)
  • Special Olympics policy states if a pool is present at a Special Olympics sponsored function; for recreational swimming to be allowed, there must be at least one life guard on duty for every 25 athletes
  • If there is no life guard then recreational swimming is not allowed. If an individual is found to be in violation of this policy, Special Olympics Massachusetts will enforce one of the following steps:
    • removal from function at individuals expense
    • temporary suspension from Special Olympics Massachusetts
    • permanent ban from Special Olympics Massachusetts

Return from Injury or Concussion

When any player is injured at practice or during a competition the following steps:

  1. Injury reported to Special Olympics Massachusetts and an incident report needs to be filled out and submitted to your Special Olympics Massachusetts Business Operations Manager ops@specialolympicsma.org
  2. Before player can return from injury a doctors note and medical clearance must be obtained and submitted to your Special Olympics Massachusetts Business Operations Manager ops@specialolympicsma.org

Concussion

All Special Olympics Head Coaches are required to complete concussion training

Follow same steps as returning from an injury


Dating Policy

Special Olympics prohibits any Special Olympics staff member or volunteer (excluding spouses of athletes and athletes who are Class C volunteers) from dating or having a sexual relationship with any Special Olympics athlete. In the event that a Special Olympics organization learns of any dating or sexual relationship, the organization immediately shall require either: i) that the staff member or volunteer end his or her association with Special Olympics; or ii) that the association between the staff member or volunteer and Special Olympics will be terminated. Download the dating policy