Participation Forms – Now Digital
Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) has transitioned to digital registration! Athletes and volunteers can now complete their registration forms online. Find all updates, including information about the removal of the physical examination requirements for athletes, along with detailed descriptions on our Participation Requirements page.
2025-2026 Winter Sports Season Changes
After careful and thoughtful discussions, we will be removing cross-country skiing and snowshoeing from our official winter sports lineup. This decision reflects the increasing challenges posed by changing weather conditions, specifically the lack of snow to allow for high-quality training and competition experiences.
Due to declining interest, speed skating will continue for this season only, with the final competition relocating to a rink in Central New Jersey.
SONJ made these difficult decisions after discussions and input from the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, the Winter Games Committee, the Program Review Committee, and the Athlete Leadership Council.
Pickleball and Cornhole
We are excited to announce pickleball is officially joining our winter sports lineup after completing the two-year exhibition period. Interested athletes and programs should complete the LTP Pickleball Interest Form to help plan for the upcoming season.
Additionally, cornhole has been approved to begin a two-year exhibition period, with structured opportunities for participation starting this winter.
Official Winter Sports for 2025–2026
- Alpine Skiing
- Floor Hockey
- Figure Skating
- Pickleball
- Snowboarding
- Speed Skating
- Volleyball
- Cornhole (exhibition only)
Spring Sports Season Changes
Basketball & Bowling
The “One Sport Per Season” policy has been updated.
Athletes will no longer be allowed to train and or compete in both Basketball and Bowling during the spring season. They must select one sport before the season begins. This change supports the growth of bowling and helps ensure adequate capacity at county meet competitions.
Basketball Advancement to Spring Games
Previously, both gold and silver medal teams advanced to Spring Games. Starting this program year (2025-2026), only gold medal teams from each division at regional competitions will advance to Spring Games. If the total number of gold medal teams is below Spring Games event capacity, SONJ may conduct a random draw to include silver medal teams from the regional competitions. The number of silver medal teams for random draw, if applicable, will be provided to basketball programs prior to regional competitions.
This change helps manage the growing number of teams while maintaining a high-quality Spring Games experience.
Program Review Committee (PRC) Updates
The PRC reviews and recommends changes to SONJ’s program structure. It includes two representatives from each county or county group (one must be an athlete) and two SONJ staff members. Any SONJ community member may submit proposals for consideration.
Approved changes for the 2025–2026 program year include:
- Cornhole will begin a two-year exhibition period as part of SONJ’s sports addition process. We will be offering opportunities throughout the winter season.
- 250M Road Race will be added to the Cycling program starting Fall 2025.
- Baseball has received conditional approval as a new sport. Its exhibition period will be considered to start once Special Olympics North America (SONA) finalizes an agreement with a national governing body, as per Article 1 Sports Rules of Special Olympics.
Please reach out to Sportsinfo@sonj.org with any questions.