As a Special Olympics BC volunteer, you'll use the power of sport to help athletes with intellectual disabilities build life-changing friendships, skills, connections, and inclusion!

Banner image with a picture of two smiling Special Olympics athletes and text saying "Change lives, including yours"

With strong safety protocols in place, Special Olympics BC offers year-round sport, youth, and health programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities of all ages and a wide range of ability levels, in 55 communities across the province.

We need you to join our team and change lives, including your own!

Learn about our life-changing volunteer opportunities

Why Special Olympics matters

Building opportunity and community

Special Olympics BC offers year-round sports and youth programs that give athletes with intellectual disabilities the chance to gain sport and life skills, and feel the joy of being part of the team.

“Special Olympics has helped me overcome barriers and bullying, and has helped me not to give up and go for my best.”
-Susan Wang, SOBC – Surrey athlete
Read more from Susan in the Vancouver Sun

Creating health equality

People with intellectual disabilities lack access to quality health care and experience dramatically higher rates of preventable disease, chronic pain, and premature death. Our ultimate goal is to create a world where all people have the same opportunity to be healthy by addressing a range of barriers, which include lack of access, education, and resources.

“Special Olympics means a lot to me. It keeps me motivated, happy, and fit. It helps me be how I am today – a champ.”
-Ryan Courtemanche, SOBC – Kelowna athlete

Opening hearts and minds

Special Olympics raises awareness about the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. Through sports, we showcase the skills and dignity of our athletes. We also bring together communities to see and take part in the transformative power of sports.

"Special Olympics has given me a community, it’s given me confidence and endless opportunities."
-Genny Verge, SOBC – Sunshine Coast athlete

Overcoming isolation

Too many people with intellectual disabilities are still being left behind and forgotten by society. They knew the pain of loneliness long before COVID-19. For many Special Olympics BC athletes, our year-round sport, youth, and health programs are the primary place – or for too many, the only place – where they get vital social connections and healthy physical activity.

When in-person Special Olympics programs were paused during the pandemic, "it was rough. I found myself falling into a depression, and my motivation went down the toilet."
-Ashley Adie, SOBC – Campbell River athlete
Read more from Ashley in The Vancouver Sun

The pandemic has a long-lasting, far-reaching impact that the Special Olympics family will be working to overcome for many years. Today, athletes, volunteers, and supporters are working hard to rebuild all of Special Olympics BC's year-round sport programs and empowering competitions. We need you to join our joyful community today!

Join our team

Get involved as an athlete or volunteer

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Make a Difference