WELCOME TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS VIRGINIA – LOUDOUN COUNTY
Providing year-round sports training & athletic competition in a variety of sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics is a movement built on inclusion, where every person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability of disability. We are helping make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place through the power of sport.
WHAT WE DO
Through the transformative power of sports, Special Olympics Virginia – Loudoun County (SOVA Loudoun) gives continuing opportunities to discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success. Our athletes find joy, confidence, and fulfillment on the playing field and in life. They also inspire people in their communities to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential.
We provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The sports training consists of at least weekly practices at local facilities. During each sports season, the athlete can choose to participate in competitions held in Northern Virginia. Each season is capped off with a State competition, often the highlight of the season. Some of our sports are offered off-season as well in order to continue to offer additional training and fitness opportunities.
WHO WE SERVE
Athletes ages 8 and up enjoy sports all year long. Our program offers opportunities to participate at many levels – skill building, one-on-one partnerships, competitive, and unified school sports teams. Plus there is a Young Athletes program for ages 2-7.
COUNCIL
The SOVA Loudoun council “runs the business” of the Special Olympics in Loudoun County. We raise funds, manage expenses, organize community events, recruit athletes and ensure that our programs provide rich experiences for all athletes.
Council members serve two year terms. Elections for new council members are held in the spring as the terms expire at the end of June. Contact our chair, chair@sovaloudoun.org, if you are interested in serving on the Council. If you have any other questions regarding the Special Olympics in Loudoun County, contact us here.
There are other opportunities to serve that support the Council. Areas where support is needed include social media, photography, administrative (medical form management) and volunteer and athlete outreach. If you have a skill to contribute and a passion for our mission, together we will find a way to put it to good use.
Area 14 Coordinator: Christopher Caesar
Christopher.Caesar@loudoun.gov
Athlete Representative: Nicole Levinrad
athleterep@sovaloudoun.org
Chair: Wilson Chua
chair@sovaloudoun.org
Communication: Janice Saylor
communications@sovaloudoun.org
Equipment: Trish Wright
equipment@sovaloudoun.org
Events: Vacant
Fundraising: Leighanne Zdobysz
fundraising@sovaloudoun.org
Sports Coordinator: Tom Knight
sportscoordinator@sovaloudoun.org
Outreach: Nasir Ahmed
outreach1@sovaloudoun.org
Secretary: Joe Bleull
secretary@sovaloudoun.org
Director, Potomac Region: Margaret White
mwhite@specialolympicsva.org
Treasurer: Cynthia Miller
treasurer@sovaloudoun.org
Volunteer Coordinator: Amy Levinrad
volunteers@sovaloudoun.org
GLOBAL MESSENGERS
Andrew Starr
Global Messengers become community leaders who communicate powerful stories of hope, acceptance, dignity and courage around the world. They help spread our mission and vision, as well as encourage the community to participate in Special Olympics as an athlete, sponsor or volunteer. Global Messengers have given speeches to schools, corporations and community groups across the Commonwealth, and have assisted with numerous fundraisers and Opening Ceremonies.
