Nashua (N.H.) Schools Create Special Olympics Unified Sports Basketball Teams

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinion/editorials/985050-465/kudos-to-nashua-for-unified-basketball-teams.html

Who says there isn’t room for a few more sports teams at Nashua’s two high schools?

Next month, Nashua High School North and South will begin registering players for its two new Special Olympics Unified Sports basketball teams, which will open the six-game season by playing against each other in January. No experience is needed for students to participate in the program, which will pair special education and general education students on the same teams.

And that’s the point: To provide an opportunity for students with and without intellectual disabilities to compete on the same team in pursuit of a common goal. Beyond the physical benefits derived from engaging in athletic competition, the experience will help to break down barriers, build new friendships and boost self-esteem for everyone involved.

“It’s just to give students with special needs an opportunity to represent their school and be a part of school beyond the school day,” said Tom Arria, the school district’s athletic director. “It’s a great opportunity for those kids. And for those general education kids, they are getting the opportunity to participate in something that’s bigger than most other things they’ve done.”

While Unified Sports have been around in some form for roughly 20 years, it wasn’t until the U.S. Department of Education made some funding available in 2008 that Special Olympics began introducing these programs into the schools.

Today, there are nearly 2,000 schools in 42 states participating in Unified Sports programs, including more than 50 school districts in New Hampshire.

Thanks to a partnership between the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association and Special Olympics, high school students here are participating in Unified fall soccer, winter basketball, and spring volleyball and track and field programs, depending on the school district.

Other than the fact that teams consist of a mix of special and general education students, they aren’t much different from their varsity counterparts. They practice together. They travel together. They play together. And, if they turn out to be good enough, they get to compete for a NHIAA championship.

This year, for example, teams representing Gilford, Londonderry, Oyster River and Spaulding high schools competed in the Unified soccer semifinals, with Gilford edging Spaulding, 3-2, for the state championship. Alvirne High School in Hudson also fielded a soccer team this year.

The cost of the Nashua basketball teams is being covered by a federal grant of $2,000, which will be used to pay for uniforms, equipment and officials for home games. The grant renews for the second and third years, after which the district would have to pick up the cost.

While Nashua’s two high schools just now are preparing for basketball season, school officials already are considering the possibility of starting similar Unified teams in soccer and track and field. In fact, there is a chance track and field could start up as soon as this spring.

Wins and losses aside, we can’t think of many things more beneficial to one’s life experience than bringing together special and general education students to work toward a unified goal.

Participating school districts have found this results in the creation of friendships on and off the field, enhanced feelings of self-worth, and positive shifts in attitude and behavior toward students with intellectual disabilities.

We commend the city’s two high schools for starting Unified basketball teams this year and encourage other Greater Nashua high schools to consider doing likewise.

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