Unified Sports League
For tweens and teens with special needs
Learn more
the Problem
Students with special needs typically do not have sports teams to play on.
The benefits of being involved with team sports are NUMEROUS and well documented.
In the Philadelphia suburbs, Mission 5 & 2 has offered a recreation program for kids with special needs for 5 years.
NOW...we want our students to experience a
TEAM SPORTS experience!
our Solution
Unified Sports League Mission
To provide students with all abilities an authentic sports team experience including practices, games and league play.
Implementation
Each team will be comprised of a 50/50 ratio of neuro-diverse and neuro-typical students. League play will include a fast pace quarter alternating with a slower paced quarter so that athletes can compete at the pace that best suits their needs.
why Unified?
School teams are generally comprised of athletes from the same school. Students with cognitive, social, emotional and other needs often don’t have the processing speed to be able to compete with typical peers in team sports. Team sports teach so many important life skills and are an important part of school pride! Why not create sports teams where students of various abilities can play and learn together. Our teams are comprised of students with and without challenges who play on the same team.
what’s so Special about it?
All team members and coaches are learning from each other. Some are learning more about team sportsmanship, reciprocity, focus, and specific basketball skills. Others are learning about empathy, compassion, patience, being non-judgmental and developing real relationships with athletes with different abilities. All are teammates and working towards the same goals at practices and team events. The beauty of team sports is in the intangibles and those are all AMPLIFIED on our Unified teams.
the Trial...
2021-22 Beta Season
new friendships formed
students worked on transferable skills like teamwork and sportsmanship
self-esteem and confidence and soared!
the 2nd Season Ahead...
2023-24 Inaugural Unified Sports League
Fall:
Basketball
1 practice and 1 game per week
Winter:
Phys Ed and Social Outings
1 encounter per week
Spring:
Team Handball
1 practice and 1 game per week
2023 Fall Schedule
Location:
The Haverford School Gymnasium, 2nd Floor
Game Times:
4:30 & 5:30 pm
Game Dates:
Saturday, October 7
Saturday, October 14
Saturday, October 21
Saturday, October 28
Saturday, November 4
Saturday, November 11