Special Olympics Athletes and the World Games Experience: The Influence of Coaching, Training and Competing on the World Stage.Report on the Pilot Study: SO Ireland (Ulster Region)

An evaluation of the complex and dynamic relationship that develops between Special Olympics coaches and athletes as they prepare for major competitions is underway at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland. The project is centered on the Special Olympics World Games planned for June/July 2011, and will involve athletes and coaches in four countries selected from four Special Olympics regions. To prepare for this work a pilot study has been completed in the Ulster region of SO Ireland. This report summarises the aims of the study and the methods used, discusses the key themes, which were drawn from the data and how these have been used to refine our data collection tools for the wider study. The report is written for the Project Advisory Board in the first instance.