GMST stands for Gwinnett Masters Special Teams. GMST was formerly GMSO, which was in turn spun off from Gwinnett County Special Olympics. Gwinnett County Special Olympics now supports the school-age athletes and GMST supports the adult athletes.

GMSO was an accredited agency of SOGA (Special Olympics Georgia), not a stand-alone organization. GMSO obtained its non-profit organization 501(c)(3) status through SOGA. After 4 years in business, and after winning an award for best local program, GMSO was informed by SOGA that its name was invalid for a Special Olympics organization since the words Special Olympics did not appear first. We had the opportunity for our own non-profit status and an organization that could provide much more than just sports opportunities so we seized the opportunity and became Greater Atlanta Pathways, with GMST being the program that is responsible for sports activities. Also, we wanted to partner with Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation to secure favorable rates for fields and other benefits. This arrangement made it easy to do so. Finally, as GMSO we came to realize that we did not have adequate insurance coverage through Special Olympics.

No. We are an independent organization under Greater Atlanta Pathways, but because we wish to send teams and individuals to compete in the State Games provided by SOGA, we have an accredited and elected management team to interface with SOGA. Our coaches must obtain training from SOGA and follow certain other rules. This arrangement is similar to that of other organizations such as Just People, Annandale Village, Special Ks, etc. The same management team serves as part of a required board for managing the partnership with Gwinnett County Parks & Rec. and for managing other aspects of GMST.

Masters refers to athletes that are 22 and older.

Yes. Athletes in the age range 16 to 21 are termed Seniors. They are usually still in school and supported by the school program. However, any Senior athlete can play up a level and participate with the Masters. This is typically done because the school-age program does not support the sport they are interested in. Also in a few sports, for this same reason, even younger athletes may practice with the Masters athletes for the purpose of training. For Special Olympics competition, however, only Senior and Masters athletes may participate together at the state or higher levels (there are some exceptions for Unified partners; for instance a parent may compete with a Junior athlete on a unified bocce team).

The first step is for the athlete to fill out the required medical form. Medical forms must be renewed every 3 years. An athlete with a valid medical form (or their parent/guardian/caregiver) should contact either the head coach of the sport of interest or the coordinator.

Yes, in a couple of ways. The core of our sports program conforms to SOGA's rules. For some sports SOGA has "Unified" events. Currently GMST has Unified Bocce and Volleyball teams and may add others in the future. In Unified sports, disabled athletes and non-disabled (unified) partners play together on the same team. GMST also supports Gwinnett County's Golden Games. Persons 50 years of age or older may compete in the games with our group.

No, athletes in other counties may participate with us.

The first step is for the athlete to fill out the required SOGA medical form. This allows for a seamless transition to State Special Olympics competition for those GMST teams or individuals that choose to participate beyond the GMST League schedule. Medical forms must be renewed every 3 years. With a valid medical form the athlete or their parent/caregiver should contact either the head coach of the selected sport or the coordinator for further information. We also ask for a Registration Form to be filled out once a year.

Commitment to your athlete to guarantee he or she has a great experience. This primarily involves transportation. We encourage all people involved including siblings, friends, and grandparents, to participate as fans, and as volunteers for fundraising events. This program can be as great as you are willing to help make it be.

All GMST coaches, chaperones, management team members, and volunteers must undergo a thorough background check. Many of our parents are trained nurses and other medical professionals and we make every effort to have someone proficient in first aid available at all of our events.

After leaving school, most adults with disabilities have no activities to participate in. GMST provides the opportunity for not only sports, but for athletes and families to socialize through banquets, road trips, etc. In fact the social aspect is often just as important for the parents and caregivers as for the athletes. Parents need to be thinking about and planning what happens to their son or daughter when they are gone. Talking this through with other parents in similar situations can be invaluable. In addition to informal socialization, there are meeting sessions provided by Greater Atlanta Pathways in which speakers in many areas are invited to come talk to the parents and caregivers.

Nearly 200 with more joining each year.

Exit the FAQ and return to the sports supported section on the latest support for sports by GMST. Please contact the coordinator if you would like to see support for another sport.

Sports programs are offered year-round. There's always something going on. Please check out our Calendar for more information.

No, all athletes have the opportunity to go to SOGA state games as long as SOGA has space and GMST and SOGA can certify enough volunteers to provide coaches and chaperones for them.

No, that's not the way it works. The state organizations are asked to fill certain slots for national and international competitions. So an invitation from SOGA is required. We have had several of our athletes participate in national and international competitions.

You can request training through our board training chairperson, the head coach, or the coordinator. SOGA provides occasional training classes and there is a form to request a training session. GMST is working on addition training materials and coursework.

An advisory board (also called "management team") is a requirement of SOGA. The advisory board is accredited by and accountable to SOGA.

Among other things, the board is responsible for: supporting the coordinator, managing revenues and expenses and reporting monthly to SOGA, meeting at least 4 times a year, recruiting volunteers, athletes, and donors, raising community awareness, fundraising, training coaches, organizing competitions, and distributing information.

Visit our Boards page on our site for all the members' contact info.

The meeting schedule can be found on the Greater Atlanta PATHWAYS calendar, and meetings may be virtual. All meetings are open. Anyone can attend. However since some meetings are dinner meetings, it's best to let a board member know a couple of days in advance if you would like to attend, especially if you wish to dine.

GMST is an all-volunteer organization. 100% of your donation will go to help special needs athletes to achieve their dreams. GMST is local. You can see the fruits of your donation happening right in your backyard. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Free just means that someone else has paid for it. This is true for GAP as well. Here is a partial list of items that must be paid for: -Uniforms -Equipment -Transportation -League Fees -Tournament Fees -Field Rental Fees -Awards -Banquets To help finance these expenses, GAP asks for participation fees from the athletes. This money pays for a portion of the expenses. Donations and fundraising pay for the remainder.

No. The state does not distribute funds to non-profits to provide services.

Simply put, it's not expensive. Not including the bowling league, the average athlete will play 2 or 3 sports and will be asked to contribute about $225 per year. When you compare the expenses of a high-school sport or even intramurals, this is a bargain. A single high school or intramural sport will cost more than this, possibly as much as $1000 or more. We believe that GAP is the best bargain in sports.

No payment is required simply to compete with Special Olympics. For the GAP leagues, we will not refuse to let an athlete participate because of money. One option would be to volunteer for fundraising events. The coach or a board member can help you strike a balance between volunteering and money.

Yes, you are welcome to make partial donations. We would prefer the first as soon as possible and the last before the end of season. We can even do a monthly credit card charge if you like.

Yes, we can now accept credit card or debit card payments. We can also accept payments online.

A: Yes, this is an annual membership for Greater Atlanta Pathways that gives you access to GAP sports leagues and other non-sports programs. The fee is currently $60. A lifetime membership fee of $600 may be chosen instead. This can be a good option, especially for those in danger of losing government benefits because they have amassed too much money. If you have already paid $60, you can upgrade to a lifetime membership by paying the remaining $540.

To "GAP" Greater Atlanta Pathways. Checks can be mailed to: 220 Bayswater Drive, Suwanee, GA 30024

It is a goal of GMST and GAP to increase our fundraising through corporate donations, grants, etc. so that we can decrease the amount we request from our participants and their families. However, we will probably always ask for some donation from the athletes. When they contribute time and money they feel more a part of the organization.

It's easy to specify a sport. Just write the sport in the "For" line on the check. Money can be earmarked for a sport or for sponsorship of an athlete. If nothing is specified, then the money goes into the general fund. Just be aware that per IRS rules, if you donate for a specific person the donation is not tax deductible.