The goal of the Young Athletes Cheer Team is to help Athletes develop the fundamental skills to join our competitive cheer team once they turn 8 years old. The sport of Cheer provides athletes of all ages and abilities with the opportunity to learn cheers, chants, and routines that develop skills in proper pace, volume, motions, tumbling, stunting, jumps, and choreography.
The Young Athletes Program™ is an innovative sports play program for children with intellectual disabilities, ages 3-7. It introduces them to the world of sports prior to Special Olympics eligibility at age 8. The program focuses on developing fundamental physical skills and applying those skills in general fitness and recreational activities. Children learn how to play with others and develop important skills for learning. Children also learn to share, take turns and follow directions. These skills help children in family, community and school activities.
Created in consultation with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, the activities foster cognitive and social development, muscular strength, hand-eye coordination and balance. Athletes learn how to apply those physical skills through participation in soccer, track and field, and group exercises and activities.
In addition, the program works towards the following objectives:
| Coaches | Head Coach – Sandra Toledo Sport Director – Shelly Bogasky |
| Season Dates & Times | Practices: Saturdays, starting March 28, April 11, 18, & 25, May 2 & 9, 2026 Qualifiers: Mandatory Qualifier – May 16, 2026 at Urbana High School Signup Begins: Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 6 PM |
| Athlete & Volunteer Registration Expiration Date | Sports State Games competition date: No State Games for YAP All Forms must be up to date before the signup date (last Sunday in January). Athletes must have a complete Registration Form on file. The expiration date on a Volunteer’s certification, must be after June 12, 2026 to participate in the upcoming season. |
SOMO provides cheerleaders with Poms.
SOMO will provide athletes with the cheer uniform. All uniforms must be returned after the performance at the Mandatory Qualifier. All athletes will need white cheer shoes (tennis shoes) that are not worn outside, white no-show socks, and navy shorts to wear under their uniform.
Location: Maryland Twisters Montgomery County, 8345 Beechcraft Ave, suite i, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
*All athletes will be required to complete gym waivers prior to the first practice.*
Timing: Cheer practice occurs on Saturdays.
Activities: Practice starts with warmups…..then moves to working on routines.
The YAP Cheer team is invited to perform during the Mandatory Qualifier. The Head Coach will announce full details after season start. The schedule for the day will be sent out the week of the event.
