International Council for Coaching Excellence’s Global Coaches Day: Get to know the Unified Volleyball World Cup coaches

Special Olympics is again a member of the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) On their worldwide coaches day 2025 to thank all coaches around the world that make Special Olympics Sport programming possible!

Coaches are an integral part of Special Olympics. Via Sport, Special Olympics athletes” coachesAnd Unified Partners are able to grow, better promote themselves and the inclusion while breaking through barriers and stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities are removed.

Fifty -seven years after Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder and very first Special Olympics Coach, Special Olympics started in its backyard, the movement has now offered more than 233,000 certified coaches in 72 sports over 6 continents and in 7 special Olympic regions. It is remarkable to see that hundreds of thousands of passionate coaches use their time, energy and resources to help athletes train and compete, achieve their goals and grow both on and off the playing field. Special Olympic coaches not only develop athletes, they change lives, today create an impactful change in the world, leaving an inheritance for the coming generations.

Special Olympic coaches connect to continuous education, including online webinars and courses, personal workshops and other instruction sessions. They acknowledge that in order to be the best they can be their athletes, it must be dedicated to promote their education and knowledge of their respective sport. By doing this, coaches for special Olympic Games can be better leaders, and their athletes have the capacities and opportunities to run limits and defy expectations. This dedication delights them to coach a special Olympic athletes around the world at every level in their respective sports.

More information by becoming a special Olympic coach.

Next month 16 teams, 8 men/mixed and 8 ladies, will descend on spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland for the very first Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup. Coaching these 16 teams are 32 coaches who share collective knowledge with experience ranging from the Grassroots level to professional for decades.

Let us get to know three of the coaches who will coach teams in Katowice next month.

Radek łypczak, Special Olympics Polen’s Men/Mixed Volleyball Head Coach

What did you learn about yourself as a coach who works with special Olympic Games?

Humidity, passion and satisfaction. I think it would be difficult to work as a coach in Special Olympics without passion. You must feel a certain type of connection with people with intellectual disabilities. For more than 20 years I have been working as a therapist with such individuals, but sport gives me the most satisfaction. The other side of the currency is humility, which I try to apply to every challenge.

Full interview

Naranchimeeg Altangerel (Nara), Special Olympics Mongolia Mongolia Volleyball Head Coach

How important is it to continue to learn as a coach?

As a coach it is extremely important for me to keep learning. Sports science, training methods and even the needs of athletes always evolve. By constantly improving my knowledge and skills, I can offer the best possible support for my athletes, keep them motivated and help them reach their full potential. Lifelong learning can not only be informed of new techniques, but also to grow personally and professionally.

Full interview

Kristofina Bartromeus, Special Olympics Namibia Women’s Volleyball Head Coach

Can you give an example of how you could help an athlete to improve its performance over all the medals they may have won in the Special Olympics?

I help my athletes by setting small but realistic goals, such as managing their pace and/or working on their strength. Moreover, I work on building their self -confidence by encouraging them to work harder, concentrate on exercises that demand teamwork, give a positive reinforcement and give them small leadership roles during practice.

Full interview