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 Season: March – June

Volleyball Unified Partners Needed in Springfield

Practices are Monday evenings from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in Springfield
Season is late March thru early June
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Track and Field Unified Partners Needed in Hudson

Practices are Friday evenings from 6:15 pm to 7:30 pm in Hudson
Season is late March thru early June
You must be 18 years or older for this team
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information

Track and Field Unified Partners Needed in Brookline

Practices are Sunday afternoon from 2pm to 3:30pm in Brookline
Season is late March thru early June
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information

Swim Unified Partners Needed in Brookline

Practices are Sunday mornings from 9am to 10:15am in Brookline
Season is late March thru early June
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information

Future Unified Partner Opportunities

Summer Season: June – August

Golf Unified Partners Needed in Lexington

Practices are Sunday from 8am-9am in Lexington
Season is June through the end of August
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information

Cycling Unified Partners Needed in Belmont

Practices are Mondays from 6:30pm-7:30pm in Belmont
Season is June through the end of August
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information

Softball Unified Partners Needed in Belmont

Practices are Sundays from 10:00am-11:30am in Belmont
Season is June through the end of August
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information