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Motor Activity Training Program
MATP® is our Special Olympics movement-based sport program for athletes with profound intellectual disabilities who have high support needs.
Benefits of MATP®
Young girl being held up to put a basketball into the basket.

Enhanced Motor Skills and Support Skills

athlete being helped to walk by two volunteers

Improve Physical Fitness

athlete in a wheelchair holding a baseball bat

Promote Social Interaction

Athlete in wheelchair with people around her.

Boost Self Esteen and Confidence

Athlete in wheelchair and volunteer helping him.

Inclusive Sport Experiences

MATP® gives athletes the opportunity to practise skills that will prepare them for sport without comparison to others. The focus is on achieving personal bests.

MATP® can be made up of skill stations where athletes take part in sport related activities that develop their mobility, dexterity, striking, kicking and balance.

MATP® also involves group games where athletes can work and interact with others to develop their skills.

All MATP® activities are modified to each athlete’s needs, interests, and motivations.

MATP® athletes can train towards their MATP Challenge Day where MATP® athletes showcase their unique achievements to family and friends.

Unstoppable Determination: One Athlete's Journey of Passion and Love for Sport
Michal, a skier with Special Olympics Slovakia, competes through the Motor Activity Training Program (MATP)—Special Olympics’ movement-based sport program for athletes with profound intellectual disabilities who have high support needs.

Who are our MATP® Athletes?
MATP® Athletes Hall of Fame—meet some of our MATP® athletes from around the world.

Loizos Nicolaou

MATP Athlete Roll Model

On Kim

MATP Athlete Roll Model

Jennifer Johnson

MATP / FUNdamental Sports Athlete Roll Model
"Sport gives us a place to belong and to develop skills we never knew we had... MATP® is such a good example of the real meaning of inclusion."
Ian Harper, Special Olympics Athlete and MATP Assistant Coach
Coaching MATP Athletes-Coach Webinar Series 2023 (English)
The first webinar of the Coach Webinar Series 2023, presented by Gallagher, is dedicated to Coaching MATP Athletes. Motor Activity Training Program or MATP is our Special Olympics movement-based sensory sports program for athletes with severe or profound disabilities and complex support needs. Hosted by Kiera Byland BEM, a trained MATP coach herself, and Dr. Niamh E. Mourton, Senior Manager of MATP for Special Olympics International. This webinar gave us a broad overview of what MATP is, who it is for, and how we can implement it in our programs.

Read the full article

Our introductory workshop highlights the transformative sport opportunities presented through MATP®, including how to implement it and the sport competition pathways of MATP® Come and Try event and MATP challenge events.

NEW MATP® Resources are coming soon…..we are currently re-developing our MATP® coach, family and volunteer resources.

Athlete works with rings as as a coach cheers him on.

Motor Activity Training Program

Coaching guide, rules and other materials for coaches.
More about MATP

MATP Makes a Splash with Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Region

The SO MENA MATP Coach event was conducted in Kuwait from September 6 – 10, 2024.
6 Min Read

Malta is Leading the Way in Unified Sports Development

National Government of Malta Joins Global Coalition for Inclusion with major commitment to Special Olympics programming
3 Min Read

MATP Breaks records in Malta!

In October, Special Olympics International’s Senior Manager of Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), Niamh Mourton, attended a groundbreaking MATP event in Malta.
1 Min Read