HELENA, Mont. — The Special Olympics Montana State Basketball Tournament will return to Helena Nov. 9 to Nov. 11.
The tournament will have the theme “Together We Shine,” with some 750 athletes and 200 coaches and volunteers attending the two-day basketball competition.
At venues across Helena there will be 170 competitions, including 3-on-3, 5-on-5, 5-on-5 Unified and Individual Skills competitions.
It takes 700 volunteers to hold the tournament. More opportunities are still available here.
Special Olympics Montana released the following:
The Special Olympics Montana (SOMT) State Basketball Tournament returns to the capital city, November 9-11, 2023!
Witness the passion, dedication, and extraordinary talent of Special Olympics Montana athletes as they take the court and inspire us all. Embracing the theme “Together We Shine,” the entire state is invited to join in this celebration.
Approximately 750 athletes, 200 coaches and volunteers, plus hundreds of families and friends from across Montana will travel to Helena to watch the athletes compete in two days of intense basketball competition. Multiple venues in Helena will host 170 competitions including 3-on-3, 5-on-5, 5-on-5 Unified, and Individual Skills competitions.
Kathie Roos, Helena-area volunteer and coach for Special Olympics Montana said, “Our athletes and their unified partners build on their physical conditioning, teamwork, leadership, and a sense of accomplishment. But most of all, as the SOMT state basketball tournament showcases, we all just enjoy the game!”
A group of more than 20 volunteers, called the Games Management Team, is working to plan all facets of the tournament from the competition including providing food and housing for the athletes and their coaches.
“The Montana Special Olympics Basketball Games returning to Helena is great for our community,” said Games Management Teams Director, Guy Almquist. “Helena’s a community of collaboration. We’re working with our partners to make this the best Games yet.”
It takes nearly 700 volunteers to put on the State Basketball Tournament. Special Olympics Montana will work with businesses, organizations, and community leaders to recruit these volunteers from the local community. Volunteer opportunities still exist and can be found at www.somt.org/volunteer.
The public is invited to attend the Opening Ceremony on Thursday, November 10th at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds beginning at 6:00 PM with the Parade of Athletes.