Special Olympics Fishing Tournaments

[Jason Mercer]

Hi All, 

For several years, our Sea Center Fish Hatchery (Texas) has successfully hosted Special Olympics Fishing Tournaments with Special Olympics Texas, experiencing steady growth and expansion throughout the state. We anticipate hosting three tournaments, in different locations, within the next year.

To facilitate the replication of these events, our team has developed a Standard Operating Procedure. This comprehensive guide is intended for sharing with other states to encourage the establishment of their own tournaments. Our ultimate goal is to foster a national Special Olympics Fishing Tournament network.

These tournaments have been exceptionally rewarding experiences. Many participants have never caught a fish prior to these competitions. The emotional impact on participants, their families, staff, volunteers, and myself is profound, fueling our passion for providing more individuals with fishing opportunities. Additionally, these tournaments offer a valuable platform for sponsors and partners to participate.

Please find attached the Standard Operating Procedure for hosting a Special Olympics Fishing Tournament. If you have any questions regarding the organization of a Special Olympics Tournament in your state, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you, 

Jason Mercer

R3 Coordinator - Boating/Fishing

Communications Division

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

(512) 705-6265

Jason....@tpwd.texas.gov

http://tpwd.texas.gov/education/