Athletes will take the Amador fields and courts Saturday as the high school hosts the Special Olympics East Bay Regional track and volleyball tournaments for the fifth year.
Half a decade ago, the Amador Valley Athletic Boosters were looking for a way for Amador athletes to give back in the community. In addition to the upcoming track and field and volleyball competitions, Amador also hosts a two-day basketball tournament, which was held in March. The events require a large number of volunteers and many offer their help from leadership, civics and other high school athletic teams. Foothill High School, the National Charity League, CYO basketball and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also volunteer. So many volunteers sign up that jobs fill quickly, but Amador tries hard not to turn anyone away, according to Ken Mano, Special Olympics coordinator for the Amador Boosters club.
Opening ceremonies will be held at 8:30 a.m. next Saturday on the football field. Track is the premier event for Special Olympics and the public is encouraged to come and cheer the athletes on. Admission is free.
There are currently 14,000 developmentally disabled athletes who compete in the Northern California division of the Special Olympics program. Teams and individual sports include softball, swimming, golf, skiing, bocce, bowling, soccer and tennis, among others. Due to support from individuals, corporations, foundations and volunteers, athletes don’t have to pay to participate.
Pleasanton will be well represented by the Tri-Valley Youth team, which won their division in the March basketball tournament and will participate in the upcoming Northern California Basketball tournament and the RADD team, coached by Tom Morelli, a 30-year veteran coaching Special Olympics.
For more information, visit www.sonc.org.
–Janet Pelletier
