Unified soccer - opportunities for everybody!
by Caleigh Gilbert
Carver Middle HIgh School’s unified soccer team is making strides every practice.
Coach Jennifer Wilson’s soccer team joins people together no matter their intellectual abilities. This inclusiveness was inspired by a principle said by the registered unified sports organization. “Training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.”
Wilson’s Practices are held on Tuesdays after school. They start off with a team warm up, then some dribbling and passing skills. Practice usually ends with a game or scrimmage. Anyone who is interested in joining can simply make an appearance.
“This program gives every student, no matter what their ability is, the opportunity to participate in team sports. My favorite part of unified soccer is seeing all of the athletes come together as a team and build relationships that may not have been possible before they started participating in unified sports,” said Wilson.
A Jamboree is coming up in Abington on Oct. 20 at five p.m. Each year Abington High School hosts and several towns are invited to participate. The games are shortened but the competition is real. Typically each town will play three games. Each game is two halves.
There is a home game scheduled on Oct. 26 at five p.m. against Abington.
“Honestly, it is hard to put into words the positive effect this has had on everyone involved in Unified Sports. The student athletes gain a sense of accomplishment and teamwork that is unmeasurable,” said teacher Mary WIllett.
When asked if she enjoyed participating in unified sports, student Jordan Young said “I love it, it's great.”
Go join!