2025 Special Olympics Games
We are now actively seeking volunteers to officiate games for the Special Olympics of New Jersey Spring Festival of Sports. With the holidays now behind us and the season in full swing, maybe it's time to start thinking about what we can do to give back to the sport we love. Why not consider volunteering to officiate a few games for Special Olympics of New Jersey Spring Festival of Sports?
The SONJ season started strong on January 19th and will continue to run through March 9th, with games every Sunday at two locations, in Clifton and Old Bridge, from 9AM until around 1-2PM. Then on Saturday and Sunday, March 15th and 16th, they host the Regional Playoffs to select the teams which will participate in the Spring Festival Finals down in Wildwood the weekend of March 29th. With two courts at each site, you can see that it adds up to a lot of games, and a lot of whistles, if we are to pull it off successfully.
Board 33 continues to be the primary source of officials for all of the games for the North (Clifton) and East (Old Bridge) regions, while Boards 34 and 193 cover the South and Central Regions respectively. All in all, the IAABO boards from New Jersey cover hundreds of games, providing a safe and fair competition for the amazing athletes of SONJ. And you can be part of it.
To volunteer, all you have to do is pick dates and times that you are available on the registration form stating when you would like to work. The tentative schedule of games is shown on the registration form and gets updated weekly as the folks at SONJ plan the week's matchups.
Once you send in your availability, someone will reach out to confirm your slot(s). Then all you have to do is show up. Although it's not advisable, you can even just drop in some Sunday at either location and run a few games. We're easy!
These games are for the most part low key and slow paced. We try to run three person mechanics when we have the manpower, so nobody gets worn out. We do have a cadre of regulars who come every single week to work a bunch of games, but with almost 900 members in Board 33, we shouldn't have to rely on them every week.
So think about it. We guarantee that it will be a pleasant experience, one that will help make the day for some very special people and their guardians. One that may change the way you look at life and the game of basketball. We hope you choose to be on the SONJ courts soon.