High school receives distinction for growing unified sports program

Wareham High School was recently designated as a unified champion by the Special Olympics for the school’s implementation of unified sports.

According to Superintendent Matt D’Andrea, the high school received this designation not only for their implementation of unified sports, but also for the inclusive leadership opportunities it creates and engaging the program with the entire school.

Unified sports is a Special Olympics program that gives kids with special needs the opportunity to compete in team sports. Kids who do not have special needs can join unified teams as partners who help support the special needs students.

At the high school, unified sports are offered during all three seasons. Unified basketball in the fall, strength and conditioning in the winter and track in the spring.

During the meeting committee member Joyce Bacchiocchi added unified basketball is seeing record high numbers. She said the program has two teams this fall instead of one for the first time in the program’s history.

The high school unified athletics program will be honored at the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools Conference Friday, Oct. 10 in Devens.