The benefits of playing a team sport go far beyond merely building strength and athleticism. Sports are critical for a teenager’s development because of the inclusion and social benefits they provide, but kids with intellectual a1nd physical disabilities typically have fewer opportunities to participate.
Unified Sports is a national sports program powered through Special Olympics whose mission is bringing students with and without disabilities together through competitive basketball. At basketball games, teams are composed of half students with disabilities and half without, promoting inclusion throughout the school community. Unified Sports is able to bring these benefits straight to the high school gym, breaking stereotypes and promoting inclusivity.
Special education educator Josie Fox leads the Unified Sports program at the high school alongside special education department head Julie Haveman.
After working with students who have disabilities on a daily basis, Fox sees the value of providing them with these opportunities granted through Unified Sports.
“I think it’s really important because it allows students within special education to interact with other students if they may not [have them] in some of their classes and schooling on a day to day basis. On the other hand it gives students within general education a chance to interact and make friends with students who they may not run into in their normal class schedule,” Fox said. “That alone makes the whole school just a more inclusive and fun place to be for everybody because it builds that community throughout the school.”
Unified Sports games occur during varsity boys and girls basketball games at halftime. Though Unified basketball games are a new addition to the high school sports scene, Fox hopes to continue expanding the program and see more growth.
“This is the first year that we’re doing it at the high school level, last year they did a season at Crossroads Middle School,” Fox said. “This year we are partnering together with Crossroads for our first season and then next year we’ll have separate high school and middle school teams.”
There is already noticing a shift in the school community due to the efforts put in by Unified Sports. Students appreciate the inclusivity as well. Sophomore Lawrence Rich participated in the first two Unified basketball games and finds the community engaging. The success and feeling of accomplishment students feel makes all the work put into the program and games worth it.
“We cheer each other on and it’s good sportsmanship. It’s very fun and I encourage next year if anyone else is interested in Unified Sports they should give it a try,” Rich said.
Fox can see the impact that the opportunity to play through Unified has on the students.
“Seeing the students faces light up when they feel successful and they hear everybody cheering for them, it’s just awesome,” Fox said.
Another major benefit of the Unified Sports program is the general opportunity to participate in a team sport among peers, in which many special education students are often not presented with.
“Sports is just a great foundation for building life skills in general and it’s an easy way for students to access something like that. Alot of my students really enjoy sports and they enjoy cheering on the sports teams here, but it’s not something that they would usually have an opportunity to be involved with otherwise,” Fox said. “It’s really important that they get a chance to be the stars and be the main athletes on the court, and be in a teammate role with students where they are teammates and they’re working together.”
Along with Fox, Haveman is a main coordinator of the program and emphasizes the importance of sports play for everyone. Haveman loves being a part of something like Unified Sports as it gives her a chance to see up close and personal the relationship building.
“Unified Sports can create genuine friendships and a sense of belonging for all students. Playing sports boosts self-confidence and gives athletes a sense of accomplishment,” Haveman said. “My favorite part of the program is witnessing the genuine bonds that form between athletes with and without disabilities and seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces. I appreciate the way our student section supports the athletes as well.”
In future seasons, a main goal for Unified Sports is to grow the program and get more people involved, as well as encourage inclusivity and kindness.
“The goals for the season are to develop strong teamwork and communication between athletes and partners,” Haveman. “I also want the athletes to have a positive and respectful attitude toward opponents. It is also important to promote inclusivity and acceptance for everyone.”
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