Islip welcomed educators, parents, and student volunteers from across New York to host the 2026 Special Olympics New York Coaches Training.

Trainers from Special Olympics New York led the certification session, preparing dozens of participants to become Level 2 Track and Field Coaches. The training equips coaches with the knowledge and tools needed to support Special Olympics athletes both in practice and competition.

In addition to coaching certification, the event included a special session to help coaches, athletes, volunteers, and families navigate the organization’s new paperless online portal, which will now be used to manage participation, registration, and communication across the program.

The training comes at a time of significant growth for Islip’s own Special Olympics program. This year, the Islip Special Olympics Track and Field team has reached its highest-ever participation total of 19 athletes.

District leaders said they were proud to host the regional training and help expand opportunities for athletes across the state.

Islip officials encourage community members who are interested in supporting the program to consider becoming a coach. Those interested in getting involved with Special Olympics are asked to contact Patty Whitehouse at pwhitehouse@islipufsd.org. Individuals must be 16 years of age or older to become a coach.

The training reflects Islip’s ongoing commitment to inclusive athletics and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to compete, grow, and thrive through spor