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Gator Athletics
If you ’ re itching to make your mark on the court , in the pool , or on the field , Gator Athletics is your chance . Gator Athletic programs are competitive , and athletes must follow sport rules and etiquette as well as coach direction at practices and competitions . Participants competing on Gator teams are active in Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Section competitions and Special Olympics Illinois games . Gator Athletics gives NSSRA ’ s athletes the experience of competing against other individuals of similar abilities from nearby communities . Gator Athletics run on a different schedule than NSSRA traditional programs to meet deadlines established by Special Olympics Illinois .
It is important for athletes to attend and participate in all practices and games as well as tournaments . Athletes attending any tournament with NSSRA are required to register for this additional program with no extra cost . Registration materials will be sent home during the program and must be turned in by the deadline printed on the registration form . This registration is a commitment that the athlete will participate in the tournament .
Athletes who compete in Special Olympics Illinois competitions are required to have a valid Application for Participation on file with Special Olympics Illinois .
All applications ...
• Must be original with an original doctor ’ s signature to be considered valid
• Must be valid from the start of practice through the last tournament date for each sport in which the athlete competes
• Are available in English or Spanish through the NSSRA office and at www . nssra . org / forms
• Will be submitted to Special Olympics Illinois by NSSRA
NSSRA currently offers eleven Gator Athletics programs . They are :
• Basketball ( Fall / Winter ) • Flag Football ( Summer / Fall ) • Softball ( Summer ) • Track & Field ( Spring )
• Bocce ( Spring ) • Golf ( Summer ) • Swimming ( Winter / Spring ) • Volleyball ( Fall )
• Bowling ( All Seasons ) • Powerlifting ( Winter / Spring ) • Tennis ( Summer )
Gator Basketball , Flag Football , Softball , and Volleyball are team sports and require participants to be a minimum of 16 years old to play . All other Gator Athletics programs are considered individual sports for children , teens and adults . Participants ages 8 and up are eligible for individual Gator sports .
For more information , contact Jerod Mikkelsen , Recreation Specialist for Gator Athletics , at ( 847 ) 509-9400 x6833 or jmikkelsen @ nssra . org .
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