How to start a Unified Sports program

A Unified Sports program is not difficult to start. Special Olympics can provide you with all the information and support you need to begin a new program in your school and or community.

Step 2:

Recruiting Players
The goal when promoting Unified Sports to potential participants is to recruit approximately equal numbers of athletes with intellectual disabilities and teammates with no intellectual disability, of similar ages and with similar athletic abilities.

Special Olympics Athletes
Athletes must fit the following criteria for participation in Special Olympics:
Any person 8-years old or older who has been identified by an agency or professional as having intellectual disabilities or learning or vocational disabilities due to cognitive delay which requires specifically designed instruction.

Because the goal of the Unified Sports program is to match Special Olympics athletes with teammates of similar abilities, the most appropriate Special Olympics athletes will have a relatively high level of athletic ability. Special Olympics athletes who do not yet possess the requisite skill level will find more meaningful training and competition opportunities on a regular Special Olympics team.

Your local Special Olympics program can help you identify and recruit appropriate athletes.

Teammates
In general, teammates who would describe themselves as "recreational level" or "beginner players" make the most appropriate teammates for Unified Sports, as it is easier to match such teammates with Special Olympics athletes. Unified Sports is not designed for individuals who are participating on a Varsity or J.V. team at the high school or college level or who have participated in the recent past at a "select" level. Such players are more than welcome to participate in the program as coaches and as training partners.
Special Olympics can provide you with Skills Assessment Test materials to help you in screening interested participants.