FAQs
Hometown Games (HTG) is SOO's return to competition framework as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is locally driven competition that will meet the specific needs of local hosts. This may mean full fledged traditional competition, modified competition structures (e.g 3v3 basketball), or interactive skills competitions.
The concept is to build a bridge back to competitive experiences for our athletes that creates a safe and inclusive atmosphere.
Hometown Games is open to all registered members of Special Olympics Ontario.
As long as athletes attend with a registered SOO volunteer, members can participate outside of the traditional club structure.
Competitions will have their own registration processes, but communities/clubs are able to attend competitions outside of their respective Districts/conferences as they see fit.
Thank you for your interest in supporting Hometown Games competitions in your community!
Please complete the expression of interest form on the Volunteer tab, and a member of the HTG team will connect you with a local competition opportunity!
Prior to May 1st, all participating clubs/athletes must have completed SOO's Return to Program process.
As of May 1, SOO's new Infection Prevention and Control Measures will come into effect. The Return to Program process will no longer be mandated.
SOO is committed to supporting events of all styles as we build back from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We encourage hosts to provide competition opportunities for all athletes. This can include hosting adaptive events, providing simultaneous competitive streams (e.g) skills and drills in addition to games.
If you see an opportunity for competition within your community that falls outside of our traditional sports, please connect with us to discuss further!
Being part of Hometown Games comes with a lot of perks. It is not designed to replace traditional events, but to support it.
Your event can keep it's same name, same format etc., while being included in some of the great support initiatives for HTG.
However, HTG is not meant to replace competition, and if you wish to run traditional competition outside of HTG, we welcome that as well!
SOO will provide support in a variety of ways to help communities engage our athletes in competition.
SOO will be providing HTG branded awards (medals and participation ribbons) and participant gifts for all competitions.
SOO will provide competition support to hosts. This can be administrative support (registration, scheduling, venue support, etc.) sport support (divisioning, GMS, sport leads) or financial support (hosting grants and competition development grants).
Communities in need can also apply for HTG Travel Subsidy grants to ensure all athletes have access to competition.