Unified Sports
Unified Sports started at Greenwich High School in November 2010. A registered program of Special Olympics, Unified Sports combines approximately equal numbers of athletes with and without disabilities, on sports teams for training and competition. All Unified Sports players, both athletes and special partners, are of similar age and sport skill ability.
This pioneer sports program was started in 1992 under a partnership between the Connecticut Association of Schools and Special Olympics Connecticut to expand athletic opportunities for students of all abilities. The Unified Sports program has grown rapidly since its launch and has approximately 1400 students participating statewide. Greenwich High School currently has more participants than any other Unified Sports program in the state, with over 60 players involved each season.
The goal of Unified Sports at Greenwich High School is to offer a positive, inclusive foundation for athletic and social interaction between special education and general education students in the school and community. Three sports are offered throughout the year: soccer, basketball and track and field. Each season concludes with a tournament where Greenwich High School competes against neighboring Unified Sports teams within Fairfield County.
For more information regarding the Unified Sports program in Connecticut or at Greenwich High School, visit CIAC Unified Sports.
Deirdre Burke
Unified Sports Program Coordinator, Greenwich High School
deirdre_burke@greenwich.k12.ct.us