As a Unified Partner

Special Olympics Unified Sports

Get involved in the most inclusive sports movement around

Special Olympics Unified Sports^® brings together athletes with intellectual disabilities and athletes without intellectual disabilities to train and compete on the same team. Volunteers improve their physical fitness, sharpen their skills, and learn acceptance and inclusion while participating in Unified Sports. A primary goal of Unified Sports is to equalize the ability level of Special Olympics athletes with their partners and to promote inclusion through team practice and competition.

Unified sports

All Unified Partners are required to complete a Class A volunteer form. Individuals over the age of 18 are required to provide their social security number as they are CORI and background checked to ensure the safety and well-being of Special Olympics athletes. Individuals under 18 are required to have two non-family members write recommendations for them.

Getting Started as a Unified Partner

Complete our Volunteer Interest Form so we can find available opportunities in your area.

Current Unified Partner Opportunities

Spring and Summer:

Soccer unified partners needed in Shrewsbury

Practices are Sundays from 4 pm to 5 pm in Shrewsbury
Practices run from late August/early September thru early November
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Flag Football and Soccer unified partners needed in Fitchburg

Practices are Sunday afternoons in Fitchburg
Practices run thru the summer
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Flag Football Unified partners needed in Danvers

Practices are Saturdays at 9:30am in Danvers
Practices run from September thru November
Must be 18 years or older for this team
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Ten Pin Bowling Unified Partners needed in Auburn

Practices are Monday and Friday evenings
Practices run from September thru end of March
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Ten Pin Bowling and Basketball Unified Partners needed in Fitchburg

Practices are Sunday afternoons in Fitchburg
Practices run from December thru early April
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.