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Winter Basketball Season is upon us!
We look forward to this every year and it's time to register so we can get back in the gyms and play some basketball. What's better than practicing with your friends and working up a sweat while you work on this wonderful game?
The Special Olympics Program in Loudoun County Virginia continues to grow and expand. This year we are pleased to offer 14 different teams across many different skill levels. The usual teams (Skills, Gentle Giants. Lightning, Comets, Wizards, Blazers, Thunder, Fun Bunch, Hoop Stars, Bobcats, Mavericks, and Lancers) are still available PLUS we've added two teams in western Loudoun.
Please review the skill descriptions below to determine which practice best suits your skill level. The season is: November 15, 2025 - February 21, 2026.
Basketball Hoop Stars/Bobcats - 11:30 AM -1:00 PM
- Ages 13-24. Medium to moderate skill level competitive team capable of full court fast paced basketball. Able to navigate presses, and pressure. Capable of competing with aggressive teams. Practices will be focused on enhancing individual offensive and defensive abilities within the team construct. In addition, the practices will work on developing basic team concepts such as help-defense, screen and roll offense. Teams will practice twice a week and compete in local tournaments. Practices will be held on Wednesday evenings at Belmont Ridge Middle School from 6:15-7:15pm and Saturday's at Trailside Middle School from 11:30am-1pm.
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-01 into the Search box
Basketball Western Loudoun - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Ages 8 and up. Two practices will be offered depending on skill level and turnout via registration. All practices will focus on skill development and conditioning. The earlier practice focus will be basketball skills including: dribbling, shooting, passing, and defensive positioning. The later practice will work on higher level skills including transitioning from offense to defense, rebounding, and teamwork. Practices will be held on Monday evenings at Round Hill Elementary from 6-8pm and on Sundays at Blue Ridge Middle School from 3-5pm.
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-02 into the Search box
Basketball Lightning - 11:00 AM -12:30 PM
- Ages 8-15. Basic skill level, mobile, developmental level team capable of coach and volunteers supported scrimmages to emphasize basketball fundamentals. Practices will emphasize team skill enhancement. Some basic offensive and defensive drills will be utilized to develop skills needed for games. This team practices twice a week and competes in local competition on weekends. Practices will be held at Belmont Station Elementary on Saturdays from 11am-12:30pm and Wednesday evenings from 6:15-7:15pm.
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-03 into the Search box
Basketball Comets - 11:00 AM -12:30 PM
- Ages 13-18. Moderate skill level, mobile, developmental level team capable of interrupted scrimmages to emphasize basketball fundamentals. Practices will emphasize team dynamics, and skill enhancement. Some offensive and defensive drills will be utilized to develop skills needed for games. This team practices twice a week and competes in local competition on weekends. Practices will be held at Belmont Station Elementary on Saturdays from 11am-12:30pm and Wednesday evenings from 6:15-7:15pm.
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-04 into the Search box
Basketball Thunder/Fun Bunch - 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
- Ages 25 and up. Moderate to high skill level and capable of playing a sustained scrimmage and following the rules of basketball. Mobility and court awareness are important. Areas of emphasis include getting back on defense, pursuing rebounds, and identification of teammates for open shots. They practice twice a week on Saturdays and Wednesdays. And they compete in local tournaments on weekends. Practices will be held on Saturdays at Trailside Middle School from 8:30am-10am and Wednesday at Belmont Ridge Middle School from 7:15-8:15pm.
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-05 into the Search box
Basketball Wizards & Blazers - 8:30 AM -11:00 AM
- Ages 16-24. The Wizards / Blazers are competitive full court team. The emphasis is on fun and team development. Basketball skills are worked on in the context of building up the team. Scrimmages are held with frequent coach interaction to emphasize the day's specific skill areas. They practice twice a week on Saturdays and Wednesdays. And they compete in local tournaments on weekends. Practices will be held on Saturdays at Belmont Station Elementary from 8:30-11am and Wednesday evenings from 7:15-8:15pm.
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-06 into the Search box
Basketball Mavericks/Lancers - 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
- 25 and up. Mavericks/Lancers. Advance level. General age range is 25 plus. High skill, high mobility capable of playing a sustained scrimmage and following the rules of basketball. Refereed contests with more strict rule interpretation. Physical contact is the norm, as are tightly contested games with athletes of comparable skill levels. Mavericks/Lancers will practice on Saturdays at Trailside Middle School from 10am-11:30am and Wednesday evenings at Belmont Ridge Middle School from 7:15-8:15pm
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-07 into the Search box
Basketball Skills - 9:00-10:00 AM
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Ages 8-20. Perfect for athletes new to the sport or who want more time to develop their skills. Practices focus on introducing the game and rules. Athletes will focus on building their fundamental skills, including dribbling, passing, and shooting. Practices will be held at Cool Spring Elementary School.
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-08 into the Search box
Basketball Gentle Giants - 10:00-11:00 AM
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Age 21+. Perfect for more senior athletes. This team focuses on skill enhancement and also helps athletes who have mobility restrictions. Specifically the team will work on improving their shooting, passing, and dribbling. Practices will be held on Saturdays at Cool Spring Elementary School from 10 - 11 AM.
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-09 into the Search box
MORE WINTER SPORTS!
Top Golf - 6:30-8:30 PM
- Age 8+. Topgolf is very popular, and participation is a privilege. Priority will be given to those who have NOT previously enrolled in the program, and then to those who attended the prior sessions consistently. Athletes will be notified by December 31 whether he/she is confirmed a slot or on the waitlist. Due to space limitation, all athletes are required to commit to at least 75% attendance- please DO NOT register if you cannot attend 75% of the sessions. Topgolf will be held on Mondays starting January 5th-March 30th at Topgolf in Ashburn from 6:30pm-8:30pm.
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-10 into the Search box
Fitness Western - 6:30-7:30 PM
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Get ready to move, have fun, and connect with friends! Special Olympics Fitness is an exciting new program at SOVAL designed to help athletes stay active in a supportive and fully accessible environment. You’ll work out through fun, engaging stations—no matter your ability level—all while building friendships and enjoying the group's energy. Be part of something special—where movement meets laughter, and fitness feels fun. We can’t wait to see you there. Practices will be held on Tuesdays at Loudoun Valley Community Center from 6:30-7:30pm. Starting January 13th - February 24th
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-11 into the Search box
Swimming Eastern Loudoun - 7:00-8:00 PM
- Age 8+. Athletes must be able to independently swim across the pool in deep water without assistance. Ideal for athletes who have already mastered the art of swimming and want to move into a more competitive environment. Practices will be held at Ashburn Recreation Center on Tuesdays from 7-8pm, starting January 6th - February 17th. All athletes must have a current Special Olympics medical form on file.
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-12 into the Search box
Special Olympics Dance - 6:30-7:30 PM
- Age 8+. Special Olympics dance is a new sport for SOVAL at a gym that gives athletes a chance to learn new dances with friends and covers different types of dance styles (i.e., Zumba, Jazz, Contemporary, Folk, etc.). While official SO dance offers training and competitions for Solos, Duos, Couples and Teams, this is our inaugural dance program which could lead to other programs. Come join us! Our goal is exercise, fun and friendship. Athletes should wear sneakers as to not mess up the indoor flooring. Practices will be held at Method Health Club 19945 Riverside Commons Plaza, Suite100, Ashburn, on Friday's starting November 14th- February 27th from 6:30-7:30pm.
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-13 into the Search box
Fitness Eastern - 12:00-1:00 PM
- Get ready to move, have fun, and connect with friends! Special Olympics Fitness is an exciting new program at SOVAL designed to help athletes stay active in a supportive and fully accessible environment. You’ll work out through fun, engaging stations—no matter your ability level—all while building friendships and enjoying the group's energy. Be part of something special—where movement meets laughter, and fitness feels fun. We can’t wait to see you there. Practices will be held at Method Health Club 19945 Riverside Commons Plaza, Suite 100 Ashburn, Va 20147 on Saturdays from 12pm-1pm starting January 3rd-February 28th
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-14 into the Search box
Pickleball Dulles South 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Ages 8+. Athletes of all abilities can play pickleball. It's a fun way to get in your daily exercise while making new friends. Due to space limitation, all athletes are required to commit to at least 75% attendance. Practices will be held on Sundays at Dulles South Recreation and Community Center from 11am-1pm, starting January 4th - March 1st.
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-15 into the Search box
Swimming Dulles South - Beginner - 2:00-3:00 PM
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Ages 8 and up. Athletes must be able to independently swim across the pool (25 yards) in deep water without assistance. Ideal for athletes : New to swimming or still gaining water confidence. Need support with following commands. Focus on basic breathing, kicking, and arm movements. Needs support with stroke fundamentals. Limited endurance (can swim >25 yards without stopping). Focuses on basic stroke mechanics (freestyle, backstroke), breathing techniques, kicking and body positioning, building endurance gradually. Practices will be held at Dulles South Recreation and Community Center on Sundays from 2-3PM, starting November 23 - February 15th
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-16 into the Search box
Swimming Dulles South - Advanced - 3:00-4:00 PM
- Ages 8 and up. Ideal for athletes comfortable swimming 100 (4 laps) yards continuously. Demonstrates basic technique in freestyle & backstroke. Can follow coach instructions in a group setting. Shows readiness for higher intensity training. Focuses on stroke refinement (all 4 strokes), starts, turns, and finishes, endurance & speed development, training sets with intervals, and race preparation strategy. Practices will be held at Dulles South Recreation and Community Center on Sundays from 3-4pm, starting November 23 - February 15th
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Click here to register. Enter Activity Code 241711-17 into the Search box
Before athletes can participate, they must have a current
athlete registration and annual medical release on file.
If athletes arrive at practice without these, they cannot participate.
To complete the necessary forms, Click here for the NEW Athlete Registration and Medical Release Form. For questions about medical forms, email medicalforms@sovaloudoun.org
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