The Plainville Unified Sports program is on the move once again, picking up a win at the annual, “Unified Team Versus Faculty Team” basketball game held at Plainville High School on January 19th.
Unified Sports is a registered program of Special Olympics that combines athletes with and without intellectual disabilities or other developmental delays on sports teams. As of last year, Plainville Community Schools was approved to run three seasons of Unified Sports for middle and high school students in Plainville, including soccer and kickball in the fall, basketball and bowling in the winter, and track & field, volleyball, and cornhole in the spring. Coaches for the program include Plainville High School faculty member Mikayla Wells and Plainville High School Counselor Kelly Hickey. Faculty member Jennifer Jambard serves as an interim coach, and high school staff members Lisa LaRue and Lonnie Bradley also support the Plainville Unified Sports program.
“Unified Sports are played by athletes together with peer helpers who support the athletes’ success in each sport,” explained Coach Wells. “This season we have 11 middle and high school athletes, and more than 15 peer helpers who support the athletes playing the game. We have been lucky to watch the program grow over the past year to the size it is now!”
On January 19th, the Unified team beat the “Plainville Faculty team,” comprised of faculty members and administrators from across the school district, in a friendly game of basketball. The high school’s gymnasium was filled with families and fans who cheered the athletes on.
“I am incredibly proud of our Unified Sports program in Plainville. This program provides unparalleled experiences for all who are involved, including the athletes, peer helpers, staff, families and our entire community. This team demonstrates the meaning of sportsmanship and friendly competition while building core values and a community of relationships that extend far beyond the athletic piece of this program. Despite the Unified team beating us again this year in a very competitive game, everyone came together for a great event and left smiling,” said Superintendent of Schools, Steven LePage.
The Unified Sports team will be scrimmaging at half time of the PHS Boys Varsity basketball game on February 6th and participating in a CIAC Unified tournament on March 8th.