As Special Olympics Southern California concludes its 50th anniversary celebrations, the 2019 Bowling Championships will celebrate its second annual championship competition. The event will take place on Aug. 24 at Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley, Calif.
More than 400 SOSC athletes will compete at the stand-alone bowling championships. Traditionally held during the Fall Games, Bowling is approaching its second year as its own season during the summer. Last year, Special Olympics Southern California unveiled a new sports plan, including new sports, to help it serve more athletes than ever before, provide more competition opportunities for each athlete, and enhance the athlete experience.
“With the Special Olympics mission at its core being to produce athletic competition and opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, 2019 has proven to be a year of further bettering the development of our current athletes, while accepting new ones with open arms,” said Bill Shumard, President and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California. “With less than two months until our bowling championship takes place, over 400 of our athletes are preparing and training for our biggest bowling event of the year.”
The Bowling Championships will be the culmination of regional and area competitions including:
- Western San Bernardino Bowling Competition (July 20)
- Rancho Cucamonga Bowling Competition (July 27)
- Kern County Regional Bowling Competition (August 11)
- San Diego Regional Bowling Competition (August 17)
For a full list of this year’s bowling competitions, please visit www.sosc.org/events
Opening Ceremony will start the Bowling Championships at 8 am on Saturday, Aug. 24. Competitions will begin at 8:00 am. Athletes from as far north as Bakersfield and San Luis Obispo to south San Diego will compete in the championship.
Featured exhibits will include Rafer Johnson’s Boutique, the Fan Zone, the Festival and Health Athletes Pavilion. Health Athletes program Special Smiles will offer free dental screenings to all athletes at the Championships.
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Special Olympics Southern California enriches the lives of 37,800 athletes and their communities through sports, leadership programs, and athlete health. Our free, year-round programs lead to improved health, self-confidence, and independence among athletes with intellectual disabilities and acceptance and inclusion in the community. Special Olympics Southern California has earned a four-star ranking from Charity Navigator for exceeding industry standards. This ranking is the highest Charity Navigator offers to an organization and is given because Special Olympics has demonstrated strong financial health and a commitment to accountability and transparency. Learn more at www.sosc.org.