Steps to become a coach

Get Started!

• Visit our NEW Volunteer Platform – Voluntaro
• New Applicants – Click HERE
• Returning Volunteers – Click HERE
• For step-by-step instructions, please see the training documents:
  New Volunteer Applicants Instructions
  Returning Volunteer Instructions
  Local Programs Instructions
  
  **Make sure to select “Coach” under volunteer type!**
  To add this to your profile: When logged in, press ‘Home’ then ‘Edit my Account’. From here, you can add ‘Coach’ from the ‘Volunteer Type’ dropdown

If you are coaching Unified Sports, it is not required, but is highly recommended to take the NFHS “Coaching Unified Sports Course”

As of January 1st 2026, SOWI is delighted to announce it’s new Coaching Levels/Structure for the development of our coaches. There will now be three levels of coaching: Bronze, Silver & Gold.
Each level is designed to meet the needs of the individual coach, program and to the benefit of our athletes. New Sport Specific courses replace the General Coaches Certification (Now the Coaches Orientation), for Head Coaches to ensure they know the rules & basics of coaching the sport.
Please see the table below for an outline of what each level entails:

* Course is on SONA Learning Portal
**Ran by Red Cross

All courses that are required are on Voluntaro. Any additional, and optional, courses are on the SONA Learning Portal

Background check – Log in to Voluntaro. Press on ‘Home’ then ‘Click here to begin’ to initiate your background check. This is required every 3 years, and can ONLY be done on the day of or after expiration.
Protective Behaviors – Log in to Voluntaro. Press on the ‘Training’ section. Protective Behaviors course is listed here. This is required every 3 years.
Communicable Disease Waiver – Log in to Voluntaro. Press on the ‘Training’ section. Communicable Disease Waiver is listed here. This is a one time course. No recert required.
Concussion Course – Log in to Voluntaro. Press on the ‘Training’ section. Concussion course is listed here. This is required every 3 years.
Coaches Code of Conduct – Log in to Voluntaro. Press on the ‘Training’ section. Coaches code of Conduct is listed here. This is required every 3 years.
Coaching Orientation – Log in to Voluntaro. Press on the ‘Training’ section. Coaching Orientation is listed here. This is required every 3 years.

Here is a guide to renewing/taking/finding any of the courses above: Where to find courses
**Please be patient while the training team updates the levels for coaches. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

Each of the sport specific courses are designed to be 30 minutes or less.
Every Coach who had an Active General Coaches Certification before 12/31/25, will automatically become a Silver Level Coach.

Please refer to the FAQ’s.
Please be patient while the training team updates the levels for coaches. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

Minimum age to act as a coach for Special Olympics Wisconsin is 16

Class A volunteers who are 16 or 17 years old and wish to coach at each practice or competition must be under the supervision of a Special Olympics Wisconsin registered Class A volunteer who is at least 18 years old.

Minor coaches may not act as a chaperone. Athletes must be chaperoned by a Class A volunteer who is over the age of 18.

Athletes As Coaches

Athletes who are interested in becoming coaches, please head to the Athlete Leadership Webpage and fill out the interest form for becoming a coach to receive more information.

If you have any questions, please reach out to David Brown – [email protected]