Unified Sports
®
Massachusetts
2
Description
Project UNIFY

Is a strategy launched in 2008 for engaging
schools and using tools & sports programs of
Special Olympics

Is youth-centered, school focused

Encourages youth to be agents of
change - fostering inclusion,
acceptance, respect and human dignity for all
students with and without intellectual disabilities

Utilizes Unified Sports®, Inclusive Student
Leadership and whole school awareness
activities as a deliberate catalyst to transform
and enhance a school or community
About Unified Sports
• Special Olympics introduced Unified Sports in 1984.
Massachusetts was the first state!
• 19 of the 24 sports that Special Olympics MA offers
are unified.
• Unified Sports Track and Field in the schools is
currently in it’s 3rd year in the Mid Wachusett Region.
• MASC High Schools can participate in Unified
Recreational Bocce
Unified Sports Experiences
Fan Development & Alliance Building
About Unified Track and Field
• There will be at least 13 teams this season maybe more
• MIAA Varsity Sport with 8 events
• Most schools have two practices a week and one meet a week
• Sometimes teams combine with the varsity track team during
practices
• This sport reinforces the family aspect of a team
• Compete against the people with your speed not athlete or
partner status.
• There will be a state meet on May 24. This is against all teams in
the state.
Mid-Wach League Schools
Algonquin-Westborough
Fitchburg
Grafton
Groton- Dunstable
Hudson
Marlborough
Milford
Nashoba
North Middlesex
Oakmont
Oxford
Lunenburg
Shrewsbury (New this year)
Unified Recreational Bocce
• Unified Bocce is offered through the student council organization
in many schools (MASC) and in partnership with SOMA
• 2nd Annual Bocce Tournament was held this past Nov. 17th at
Greenfield High School & Grafton High School.
• 18 schools participated between the 2 venues and another 17
schools came to watch as Fans in the Stands
There are also many community level programs such as soccer,
basketball, and volleyball.
Additional Unified Sports Offered
• Special Olympics, MA offers 24 sports through out
the year.
• 17 unified sports are offered at the local program
community level. They are:
8
Basketball
Flag Football
Bowling
Volleyball
Tennis
Soccer
Softball
Track and Field
Aquatics
Bocce
Cycling
Golf
Fishing
Sailing
Roller Skating
Cheerleading
Ice Skating
Fans In the Stands
Meets are a fun time to show off practiced skills and
have some competition. They are even more fun if
there are fans in the stands to encourage you.
•
One recommendation to spread the word – create tickets and have
athletes and partners hand them to teachers and students in classes.
Our Stories
Warm-Up!
• Track stretches
• Volley Ball Challenge: Find a partner from
another school and try to pass the volleyball
around. The pair that has the highest amount of
passes will get a prize! You will get one try to
do this.
How to Get Started:
 If your school has a student council chapter and is
connected with the MASC, talk with them to either
get involved in a recreational bocce team or start a
new team!
 If your school is interested in Unified Sports Track
and Field, contact Patti Doherty
(patti.doherty@specialolympicsma.org)
Questions?
Our Emails
Lkoziel21@gmail.com Lexie
Caitlynomalley10@gmail.com Caitlyn
Zachb1042@gmail.com Zach
drdukey0069@aol.com James
*Feel free to email us with any other questions, ect.*
Video From State Meet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkjZM51d2Hc
Thank you!
Massachusetts