An international call for proposals has been launched for the development of the Special Olympics Captains Training Program, a new initiative aimed at fostering leadership among athletes and Unified Partners. The project will run from June to November 2025, with an estimated budget of $10,000 USD.
This initiative will be developed in collaboration with the Special Olympics International Sport and Competition team and the Captains Working Group. The objective is to create a two-part e-learning course designed to prepare participants for the role of team captain in Special Olympics sports. The program will focus on developing key leadership competencies such as communication, team building, sportsmanship, game strategy, mentoring, and adaptable leadership styles.
The two core modules to be developed are:
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Module 1: What is a Team Captain?
This module will introduce the role of the team captain, outline responsibilities, and describe the necessary skills and knowledge. -
Module 2: Preparing to Become a Team Captain
This module will guide athletes and Unified Partners in reflecting on their strengths, identifying areas for development, and creating a personalized action plan for leadership.
In addition to the modules, the project includes the creation of two support resources for coaches and program leaders to help implement the training at the local level.
Interested applicants must demonstrate experience in developing educational content for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, familiarity with Special Olympics programming, and the capacity to produce resources for an international audience.
Proposals must be submitted via email to fmurray@specialolympics.org by 5:00 PM GMT on Friday, April 25, 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews between May 5–9, and the final selection will be made by May 16, 2025.
For full project details and submission guidelines, please contact the email listed above.
