Unified Sports®
Team sports bring people together. Special Olympics Unified Sports teams do that, too, and much more – in a really fun way!
Dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences, Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
Unified Sports teams are made up of an approximately equal number of athletes (people with intellectual disabilities) and Unified Partners (people without intellectual disabilities). Our Unified teams dramatically increase inclusion in the community, using sports to help break down barriers that have historically kept people apart. Teams are made up of people of similar age and ability, which makes practices more fun and games more challenging and exciting for all.
We offer Unified basketball, bocce, candlepin bowling, 10 pin bowling, flag football, golf, soccer, softball & tennis across Maine. You can become involved in one of our Unified Sports programs as a teammate or coach, or help us start a new Unified team in your community or school!
Unified Sports Opportunities
- Special Olympics Maine will host, local & state level, 1-day competitions/tournaments throughout the year. Check out our state and local events calendar for more information.
- Interscholastic Unified Sports Opportunities
- Middle & High School – Special Olympics Maine & Maine Principals’ Association have partnered to offer Special Olympics Unified Sports seasons for High School students to participate in. Special Olympics Maine is also partnering with Middle School Athletic Associations/Conferences to offer Unified Sports seasons for Middle School students. For more information check out below or go to www.mpa.cc.
- Unified Basketball – Winter Season. Unified Basketball pairs 3 athletes and 2 unified partners to train and compete in Basketball. Click here to complete “Intent to Participate” in the 2022 Interscholastic Unified Basketball Season
- Unified Bocce – Spring Season. Unified Bocce pairs 2 athletes and 2 unified partners to train and compete in Bocce. Click here to complete “Intent to Participate” in the 2022 Interscholastic Unified Bocce Season.
- Middle & High School – Special Olympics Maine & Maine Principals’ Association have partnered to offer Special Olympics Unified Sports seasons for High School students to participate in. Special Olympics Maine is also partnering with Middle School Athletic Associations/Conferences to offer Unified Sports seasons for Middle School students. For more information check out below or go to www.mpa.cc.
- Unified PE or Unified Fitness
Unified Sports® Resources
- NFHS Coaching Unified Sports Course
- Click here for Unified Champion Schools’ resources
- SOMaine Class A Volunteer & Unified Partner Registration Packet 2021
Contact
Director of Unified Champion School
Ian Frank
(207) 879-0489 ext 14
ianf@somaine.org