Unified Bocce Head Coach (2023-24)

Supervises, coordinates, and promotes all phases of the interscholastic Unified bocce program/Unified Champions Schools in collaboration with Special Olympics of Pennsylvania. Combines a knowledge of the sport of bocce with experience to improve the fundamental skill, team strategy and athletic fitness needed to achieve a degree of individual and team success. This person is directly responsible to the principal, works in cooperation with the HS Unified Sports Coordinator, the Director of Interscholastic Athletics, and the school's Faculty Manager of Athletics.

Within the framework of the Unified Bocce program, the bocce coach provides leadership in the ongoing development and improvement of coaching to ensure each student-athlete and student-partner will achieve a full and productive Unified bocce experience. To accomplish this, the Unified bocce coach must involve the assistant coach (numbers permitting) in the planning, development and implementation of programs designed to improve individual and team needs. The Unified bocce coach will assign an assistant coach (numbers permitting) based on his/her knowledge and demonstration of skills to teach bocce mechanics required to address the needs of the student-athletes student-partner who make-up the team. Such teaching activities include but are not limited to teach mechanics of bocce. The Unified bocce coach will also facilitate and engage (with support/help from the school and Unified Track and Field Coach) the student body of their school in Inclusive Youth Leadership Club and annual school-wide events (includes but is not limited to: Polar Plunge, Spread the Word, etc).

Salary

Total Pay Per Season: $1,000

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent required.
• Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Experience/knowledge in bocce is preferred or willingness to learn the sport preferred.
• Knowledge of Special Olympics programming, specifically Unified Bocce is preferred.
• Sport First Aid and CPR Certification preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills are required.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the media, parents, school administration and community is also required.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills; leadership and supervisory skills necessary; dependable and reliable a must.
• Coaches currently employed or engaged by a PIAA Member School must complete two courses:
  
  

1- Coaching Education.

2- First Aid.

• First time coaches hired at any PIAA school after July 1,2018 will have two years from their date of hire to complete the requirements.
  
  

Annual completion of (2) PA Department of Education Training Courses:

• Concussion Training Course.
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training Course.
  
  

Residency Requirements No Residency Requirement

Essential Job Functions

• Oversee the administration of the high school?s after school Unified Indoor Bocce program. A Unified Indoor Bocce team is composed of a proportional number of students who are Special Olympics-eligible (defined as students with an intellectual disability, cognitive delay, or developmental disability including autism) and students without intellectual disabilities.
• Ability to teach bocce techniques, bocce rules, bocce strategies and playing tactics.
• Following the roster requirements and rules for participation on a Unified Indoor Bocce team, recruit the appropriate number of students who are Special Olympics-eligible and students without intellectual disabilities. Collect all required paperwork (physical exam, health history, and parental consents).
• Liaison regularly with Special Olympics Pennsylvania staff and the high school athletic director to ensure quality program standards are being met.
• Practices begin the first week of December and the season runs through the first week of March. There are a minimum of two after school practices a week and at least three competitions. If it advances, prepare the team and attend the Unified Indoor Bocce state championships in conjunction with the PIAA basketball championships in late March.
• Ability to teach sportsmanship, cooperation, and responsibility to team members.
• Attend the free and required Unified Sports® Indoor Bocce Coaches? Training in your county. Complete the required free online Special Olympics coaches? courses.
• Develop and implement practice plans in which bocce skills and tactical instruction are provided to all participants. Manage competition strategies at Unified Indoor Bocce matches.
• Demonstrates through experience, a commitment to devote hours and weekends to the track and field program.
• Impart the philosophy of a positive inclusive sports experience by following the principles of Unified Sports® and promoting social inclusion outcomes.
• Responsible for working with the high school?s athletic director to plan and provide proper support for any home Unified Indoor Bocce matches. This includes recruitment of trained volunteers to serve as officials and scorekeepers, and following the competition management protocols provided by Special Olympics PA.
• Ability to supervise and conduct safe practices and contests.
• Ability to accurately assess the talents and abilities of team members.
• Participate in a successful recruitment program.
• Ability to display competency in coaching philosophy, knowledge of PIAA rules and regulations, and NCAA Student- Athletic Eligibility requirements.
• Ability to respond to player injuries by using first aid techniques.
• Must be able to maintain uniforms, equipment and school facility.
• Must be able to supervise bus, locker room and team members.
• Must be able to monitor team members' attendance, grades and personal conduct.
• Conducts other duties as assigned by the principal of the school.