Season: Fall (August through December)
Email: bowling@somdmontgomery.org
Overview: Ten-pin Bowling, commonly called “Bowling” in the US, is a competitive sport in which a player (the “bowler”) rolls a bowling ball down a wooden or synthetic lane with the objective of scoring points by knocking down as many pins as possible.
Although Bowling does not belong to the Olympic sports, it is among the most popular sports in Special Olympics. It is a particularly beneficial sport to people with intellectual disabilities, irrespective of their age or sports abilities, since it ensures physical exercise and, at the same time, participation and social integration.
It is a fun sport and accessible to all, including athletes in wheelchairs. Our coaches are dedicated to building athlete skills and fostering a strong sense of community.
| Coaches | – Rich Domros |
| Season Dates & Times | Practices: Every Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:15 for 2 game practices or 10:00 am to 1:15 for 3 game practices starting August 26, 2023. Qualifiers: Regional Competition November 12, 2023 State Games: State Bowling Tournament December 3, 2023 |
| Medical & Volunteer Expiration Date | Sport’s State Games competition date. The expiration date on an athlete’s Medical form, or a Volunteer’s certification, must be after the above date to participate in the upcoming season. Check athlete status here. Check volunteer status here. |
Special Olympics Resources for Bowling
- Fact Sheet
- Rules (2022) (2020)
- Rule Changes (2022) (2020)
- Coaching Guide (2004)
- Warm-Up (PDF)
- Cool-Down (PDF)
- Warm-Up & Cool-Down Videos
Equipment: Bowling shoes must be worn at all times on the lanes. Bowling shoes and balls are available at the lanes if you do not have your own.
Uniform Requirements: For competition long khaki pants. SOMO will provide a team polo shirt to be worn at the competition.
Practice Overview:
- Location: All practice sessions, plus the Regional and State Bowling Tournaments, will be held at Bowl America Gaithersburg: 1101 Clopper Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, phone 301-330-5200.
- Timing: Saturday mornings starting mid to late August until the State Tournament in December.
- Activities: Athletes will be assigned to a team and will bowl either 2 or 3 games each week to meet the 15-game minimum to qualify for regional competition. They will warm-up for 10 to 15 minutes then start bowling. Coaches/Volunteers will be assigned to each pair of lanes to coach and keep everyone on track.
Parents and caregivers who leave during the practice session should return to the lanes at least 30 minutes prior to the end of each session.
Qualifiers: Athletes must complete the minimum 15 games requirement by the cutoff date to be eligible for the Regional Qualifier.
State Competition: Maryland State Championships in Bowling begin with Regional Qualifers. Gold medal winners in the Regional Qualifier will advance to the State Championship tournament. The Regional Qualifier for SOMO athletes, and the State Championship Tournaments both occur at Bowl America Gaithersburg : 1101 Clopper Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 , phone 301-330-5200
Sign-up/Registration for Athletes:
The Bowling program is very popular and usually fills up just a few hours after sign-up opens. Because we have a Roster Cap for this sport, please read SOMO’s Guidelines for Managing Roster Caps During Sign-Up.
Bowling Volunteers Needed and Welcome! The Bowling Management Team invites parents, siblings, counselors, and friends to consider becoming certified volunteers! Many volunteers are needed to keep practices and competitions running smoothly. Your support of our bowlers is deeply appreciated, and you will find that the time you dedicate proves rewarding and meaningful for both the athletes and for YOU!