Near the beginning of the school year, our outstanding Athletic Director asked me about the possibility of our district forming a Unified Sports team. I don't remember much of the conversation after that except it was a YES and we had recruited a team of adults to act as coaches within days.
Unified Sports allows students with disabilities (athletes) to play alongside peers without disabilities (partners). Unified Sports is about breaking down stereotypes around students with disabilities. Part of creating a Unified Sports Basketball Team is the creation of a Youth Activation Committee (YAC). The YAC group does all of the behind the scenes work to promote and support the team. Our coaches outfitted this group in red t-shirts so they were easily found on game and activity days. These kids led fundraisers, held sign ups, stood up for students and coordinated social media updates.
We were overwhelmed early on with starting a team, learning the fundamentals of the program, securing funding for games and transportation but our AD stuck to it. (Thank goodness for the support we also received from Nathan Johnson, email after email.) We played seven games in all and were fortunate to participate in a championship game yesterday.
Eight games. What could we possibly learn about ourselves and these students in just eight games?
1) Take things one step at a time.
2) Hope still floats. There is an abundance of hope and support between students and adults in a building if you look for it.
3) You can't make the three pointer if you don't try for the shot. Shoot for the basket.
4) Believe in kids. Let them lead. Ask them for help. They'll be there.
5) Inclusion works. Make room for everyone.
6) Move to the ball. Sometimes, you have to make it happen!
7) Never give up.
8) If someone falls down on or off the court, be there to help them back up.
Thank you students, (EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU--athletes, partners, and YAC members!) Hilary Haskell, Craig Falkenbury, Lynne Jenkins and Jill Cheney-Bovee for letting me be part of something this awesome.
Working with these amazing students reminds me what great shape we are in for the future.
Unified Sports allows students with disabilities (athletes) to play alongside peers without disabilities (partners). Unified Sports is about breaking down stereotypes around students with disabilities. Part of creating a Unified Sports Basketball Team is the creation of a Youth Activation Committee (YAC). The YAC group does all of the behind the scenes work to promote and support the team. Our coaches outfitted this group in red t-shirts so they were easily found on game and activity days. These kids led fundraisers, held sign ups, stood up for students and coordinated social media updates.
We were overwhelmed early on with starting a team, learning the fundamentals of the program, securing funding for games and transportation but our AD stuck to it. (Thank goodness for the support we also received from Nathan Johnson, email after email.) We played seven games in all and were fortunate to participate in a championship game yesterday.
Eight games. What could we possibly learn about ourselves and these students in just eight games?
1) Take things one step at a time.
2) Hope still floats. There is an abundance of hope and support between students and adults in a building if you look for it.
3) You can't make the three pointer if you don't try for the shot. Shoot for the basket.
4) Believe in kids. Let them lead. Ask them for help. They'll be there.
5) Inclusion works. Make room for everyone.
6) Move to the ball. Sometimes, you have to make it happen!
7) Never give up.
8) If someone falls down on or off the court, be there to help them back up.
Thank you students, (EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU--athletes, partners, and YAC members!) Hilary Haskell, Craig Falkenbury, Lynne Jenkins and Jill Cheney-Bovee for letting me be part of something this awesome.
Working with these amazing students reminds me what great shape we are in for the future.
Very well said! This program has shined a light on so many life's in such a short period of time. The staff and Coaches that made it possible for these kids to play on a unified team took so much preparation and devotion by all. Just to be able to be at one of the games and see the looks on some of the kids faces to be playing on a "varsity" team with there pears is so gratifying and extraordinary that it makes all 100% worth all the work being put in. Being part of a small school district I was nervous we wouldn't get as much support as we needed but in fact we got more than I thought and we continue to gain support everyday by students and staff. Thank you so much Corinth High School for approving this program and making it happen, job well done!
ReplyDeleteAbby, thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. You have so much to be proud of as one of the YAC leaders. Your hard work paid off for so many kids. This team was an experience many of them will likely never forget. I am so thankful for your help, leadership, and spirit. Keep being you.
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