Two more weeks and Christmas will be upon us. What to do, what to do? Here’s to hoping all of you are lucky enough to have your shopping done, cards written and mailed, and with nothing left to do but eat and unwrap! For those of you like us, we still have work to do…
UPCOMING EVENTS
WINTER GAMES QUOTA SURVEY INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All quota survey information regarding Winter Games is needed in this office by 19 December, 2005. That’s next MONDAY! Please call the office and let us know what your interest is by then so we can accurately put in for available slots! (845) 878-9722!
Thanks!
(Airing)
December 23 – The Ringer – starring Johnny Knoxville – coming to
theaters near you. This film is approved
by Special Olympics International, hence
why we are promoting it. So, do your best
to “get butts in the seats!”
http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/theringer
January ? – Dutchess is looking for any interested individuals for
Coaches Basketball Training School. Please contact Kathi
Nolan at Dcspoly@aol.com .
January 14, 2006 – Peter Aquilone Floor Hockey Tournament (Javits)
***Please note there will be some changes to this
event! IT WILL NO LONGER BE PLAYED ON
ASPHALT IN THE ANNEX AT JAVITS! The
registration deadline is Tuesday, December 20th, so
please let us know immediately of your interest. As
an added bonus the NHL will be providing Jerseys
for five of the Gold Medal winning teams.
Additionally, there will be some NHL giveaways at
Olympic Village as well as some NHL players and
alumni at the event. Please be sure to inform us if
you are attending! Skills and Teams are Welcome
to attend!
January 21, 2006 – Winter Coaches Conference – hosted in Dutchess
All coaches that coach a winter sport are expected
to attend. This is inclusive of Floor Hockey, Ice
Skating, Alpine Skiing, and All other Winter Sports.
This conference will include the following:
• Upcoming competition schedule and format
• Upcoming sports rules and changes
• Upcoming training schedule
• Registration deadlines
• General session & protective behaviors
• Floor Hockey sport specific certification
• Advanced coaches training: Dealing with Behavioral Problems
• Any program concerns
Please contact the office (845) 878-9722 with
your RSVP by 13 Jan. 2006.
NEW (2006) CALENDAR ADDITIONS:
JANUARY 6, 2006 – Alpine Skiing Program @ Catamount
This program will run for six consecutive weeks
every Wednesday from 6pm – 9pm. There is a cost
attached for lift tickets, rentals and lessons, should
they be necessary. This cost will be offset by this
office. Please call the office for further
information. (845) 878-9722
MARCH 5, 2006 – Alpine Skiing Competition @ Butternut
MARCH 12, 2006 – Aquatics Competition @ Dutchess YMCA
SEPTEMBER 9, 2006 – Regional Fall Games @ FDR State Park
PAST EVENTS
• This past weekend the Hudson Valley Region hosted its’ first Unified Bowling event. Much to my delight, I am not quite sure who enjoyed it more, the Special Olympians or the Special Partners. That, in and of itself made the day quite successful from my point of view. When everyone leaves the event wanting to do it again, maybe we should. Why wait a whole year? Regardless, the scratch ratio was under 6% for this event and we had right around 62 athletes participate and rave about their successes. We’re glad we could end our competitive season on a high note.
• The Rockland Floor Hockey League continues with four weeks of competitive opportunities and over 237 competitive opportunities already achieved.
• The Pioneer League continues its interscholastic competitions in this its’ final week of the soccer cycle. Next year begins the training for the Floor Hockey cycle.
GENERAL INFORMATION
• RULE CHANGE: Soccer Update (2006) - From SONY:
The Hudson Valley Region will adopt these changes for the 2006 Fall sports season.
Effective January 1, 2006; Special Olympics New York will replace 5 a side Soccer with (7 v 7) - 7 a side Soccer at all events. This rule is consistent with the official Special Olympics rules. You can access the rules at www.specialolympicsny.org/c-fallrules.html
The roster size for our soccer teams will remain 10 players. In addition to the number of players on the field, there are only 2 other rules that are in direct conflict with the current 5 a side Soccer:
o The size of the 7 v 7field can be (50 – 70) meters in length and (35 – 50) meters in width.
o The 7 v 7 rules allow an athlete to either kick or throw the ball in from the sideline.
• Rockland County will be hosting a fundraiser on January 29th, 2006 at the Elmwood Playhouse in Nyack. The play being presented will be “Moon over Buffalo”. NEW INFORMATION:
I would like to give you all the first opportunity to contribute to a benefit for the Winter Special Olympics tennis program. The tickets are only $ 20.00 per person. The proceeds will help fund our local Special Olympic tennis program covering, among other expenses, indoor court rental fees, awards, t-shirts, etc. The tennis program has become very popular, with at least 20 athletes from the Clarkstown area participating.
Tickets are limited (the theatre seats only 100 people! ) Tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis.
Please make checks out to:
'Special Olympics New York Hudson Valley Region' ($ 20.00 per ticket)
please put 'Tennis- Elmwood Benefit' in the memo section of your check.
Checks can be sent to the address below.
Ted Mascola
Special Ed- SPIRIT Program
Clarkstown HS South
31 Demarest Mill Road
West Nyack, NY 10994
If you are unable to make the performance you can also help by making a straight donation. Please feel free to pass the word around to your colleagues, friends and neighbors.
• Plans are on the way for the 17th Annual Bresnan Bike Tour. The riders leave from Patterson, NY and finish over 200 miles later in Bennington, VT. The tour will take place June 9-11. *** PLEASE NOTE THIS DATE CHANGE! For more information you can contact Maria Madero at the Hudson Valley office.
Please do not forget the WINTER GAMES QUOTA SURVEY INFORMATION! How many floor hockey skills athletes’ slots do you want? How many snowshoeing? How many Alpine skiers? Floor Hockey team? Let us know ASAP?
Thanks!
