Special Olympics: Bowling

Bowling Sport Center

This page draws together bowling-related information for all of Special Olympics. The coaching materials and other links will help you get a good sense of how this sport contributes to Special Olympics.

Stories Events Games

The ten-pin bowling coaching guides was written by experts who understand that people with intellectual disabilities need extra time and attention to master new skills. Learn More

Ten-pin Bowling commonly called "Bowling" in the US, is a competitive sport in which a player (the "bowler") rolles a bowling ball down a wooden or synthetic lane with the objectvie of scoring points by knocking down as many pins as possible.

Although Bowling does not belong to the Olympic sports, it is among the most popular sports in Special Olympics. It is a particularly beneficial sport to people with intellectual disabilities, irrespective of their age or sports abilities, since it ensures physical exercise and at the same time participation and social integration. Plus, it's great fun!

Coaching Guide Links

Downloads and Links

Bowling News and Stories

June 13, 2013 | Europe Eurasia: Croatia

Croatian Kingpins

By Franjo Horvat

There were a lot of strikes and spares as 51 Special Olympics male and female athletes showed off their bowling skills during the first Croatian bowling league for persons with intellectual disabilities.View Story ▼There were a lot of strikes and spares as 51 Special Olympics male and female athletes showed off their bowling skills during the first Croatian bowling league for persons with intellectual disabilities. The event was organized by the Special Olympics club Luč and held at the Bowling Club Westgate in Zagreb on 11 June 2013. Special Olympics bowlers, aged 13-39, and of all ability levels from Zagreb, Zagreb County, Zajezda and Varazdin participated. Once the final frame had been completed, the bowlers were off to a disco and shopping.

May 20, 2013 | East Asia: China

Special Olympics Macau Unified Bowling Competition

By Lafael Liu

Athletes from Special Olympics Macau and Employees from Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau had a unified bowling competition at Future Bright Bowling Center.View Story ▼On the afternoon of March 23th, athletes from Special Olympics Macau and Employees from Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau with a total number of around 20 people had a unified bowling competition at Future Bright Bowling Center. Athletes and volunteers exchanged their bowling tricks during the snack time after the competition.

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Upcoming Bowling Events

Date	Event	Location
Jun 28 - Jan 30 2013	Ohio Summer Games Join us June June 28 - 30 during our Summer Games event. Approximately 2600 athletes will compete in aquatics, athletics (track and field), bocce, bowling, cycling, gymnastics, power lifting, roller skating, soccer, tennis, and volleyball. For more information More DetailsView More	The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio UNITED STATES
July 05, 2013	Bowling Competition Join us at the Galaxi Bowling in San Salvador, El Salvador on 5 July from 8am-1pm for an exciting day of bowling competition. Special Olympics athletes will show their talent and skill while competing on the lanes. Please contact Sandra Uceda (contact info below) for event details. For more information Sandra Uceda Email:suceda.g@gmail.comView More	Galaxi BowlingSan Salvador EL SALVADOR
Aug 28 - Sep 1 2013	Great Britain Summer Games The 9th National Summer Games will be held in the city of Bath from 28 August to 01 September. Over 1,700 athletes will be competing in athletics, badminton, bocce, bowls (short mat carpet bowls), football, golf, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, table tennis, ten pin bowling, tennis and swimming. For more information More DetailsView More	University of Bath Bath, Claverton Down UNITED KINGDOM
Nov 1 - 3 2013	State Bowling Tournament Over 500 athletes are expected to participate in singles, doubles, and team events over three days of competition. For more information Johna Thum Email:jthum@sosd.org Phone:605-331-4117View More	Village Bowl Aberdeen, South Dakota UNITED STATES
Nov 2 - 3 2013	Fall Championships Thousands of athletes, coaches, families and volunteers come together for a weekend of memorable fun during the annual Fall Championships in Virginia Beach. Athletes wrap up the fall sports season as they go for the gold in roller skating, bowling, volleyball, soccer, bocce and golf. Don’t-miss-moments include a magical opening ceremony, followed by an evening of music and games at the Victory Dance and Olympic Festival. And thanks to our Volunteer to Cheer initiative, this event continues to grow in size and popularity! Come Be a Fan! Fall Championships, one of Special Olympics Virginia's seven state-level competitions, has been in Virginia Beach since 1998; prior to that, the event was held in Roanoke. For more information More DetailsView More	Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, Virginia UNITED STATES
Nov 16 - 17 2013	State Unified Bowling tournament This will be our 9th Annual State Unified Tournament. We are expecting 250 bowlers to participate in doubles and team events. For more information Johna Thum Email:jthum@sosd.org Phone:605-331-4117View More	Eastway Bowl Sioux Falls, South Dakota UNITED STATES
Nov 30 - Dec 7 2013	Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Games The inaugural Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games will take place in Newcastle, New South Wales in 2013. The event will see Australia welcome more than 1,700 Special Olympics athletes, 600 coaches, 4,000 volunteers, and approximately 200,000 spectators from 25 nations across the Asia Pacific region. Newcastle will offer world class facilities and venues across the range of nine sports to be conducted during the Games – Athletics, Bocce, Bowling, Basketball, Football, Badminton, Table Tennis, Cricket and Aquatics as well as venues for the Opening Ceremony and Games social hub. For more information More Details Alex McNeilly Email:alexm@specialolympics.com.auView More	Hunter Stadium 294 Turton Rd, New Lambton NSW 2305 Newcastle, New South Wales AUSTRALIA
Jun 13 - 21 2014	2014 USA National Games The USA National Games be centered in and around Princeton and the Greater Mercer County area. Venues will include Princeton University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey, and Mercer County Park. The New Jersey Devils have offered The Prudential Center as the venue for the Opening Ceremonies. The National Games will feature nearly 3,500 athletes competing in 14 Olympic-style sports, with the support of 1,000 coaches, 8,000 volunteers and an estimated 50,000 family, friends and spectators. Non-competitive special events will include the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run™ that will symbolize the start of the competition and Healthy Athletes, a place where the athletes can get vital health screenings. Youth and education events will also be held in conjunction with the Games as young leaders rally around making change for the better of the Special Olympics movement and promoting acceptance of those with intellectual disabilities. For more information More Details Greg Epperson Email:gepperson@specialolympics.org Phone:919-785-0700View More	Several Locations - New Jersey Princeton, New Jersey UNITED STATES
Jul 24 - Aug 2 2015	World Summer Games Los Angeles 2015 In July of 2014 more than 7,000 athletes from 170 countries will come to Los Angeles, California for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games and enjoy 10 days full of joy, friendship and competition. Athletes will compete in 22 sports. The event expects to attract 500,000 spectators and 30,000 volunteers and 3,000 coaches. For more information More Details World Summer Games Los Angeles 2015 Email:info@la2015.org Phone:213-892-6018View More	Various Locations, Los Angeles Los Angeles , California UNITED STATES

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Bowling Competitions

2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games

Athens, Greece, was the home of the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games. That year, it was the world’s largest sporting event for athletes with intellectual disabilities. See results by athlete, delegation and bib number.

See the Results

Related Coaching Resources

How to Get Involved in Special Olympics

Special Olympics sports training, coaching and competitions go on in more than 170 countries around the world. You can get involved by getting in touch with the closest Special Olympics office.

Special Olympics near you»

Made Possible by The Annenberg Foundation

The Special Olympics movement is profoundly grateful for the support of the Annenberg Foundation which has underwritten the production of the coaches’ guides and resources, supporting our global goals for coaches’ excellence.

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