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

Winter Season: December – March

Basketball Unified Partners needed in Leominster

Season is December through March 11th.
Practices held Sundays 2:30pm-4:00pm at St. Leo’s Parish school gym in Leominster.
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Basketball Unified Partners needed in North Andover

Season is December through March 11th.
Practices held Thursdays 7:00pm-8:00pm.
Must be 22 years or older for this team.
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Basketball Unified Partners needed in Franklin

Season is December thru March 11th
Practices held Saturdays 4:30pm to 6:00pm at Horace Mann School in Franklin.
Must be 21-30 years old.
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Basketball Unified Partners needed in Westfield

Season is December thru March 11th
Practices held Sundays 11:30am-12:30pm at Westfield State.
Must be 15-21 years old.
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Basketball Unified Partners needed in New Bedford

Season is December thru March 11th
Practices held Saturdays 9:00am-11:00am at Dennison Memorial Community Center in New Bedford.
Must be 15 years or older.
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Bowling Unified Partners needed in North Attleboro

Season is December through March 11th.
Practices held Fridays 3:30pm-5:30pm at North Bowl Lanes in North Attleboro.
All ages, including youth 8 years and older.
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.

Bowling Unified Partners needed in Somerset

Season is December through March 11th.
Practices held Sunday mornings at AMF Somerset Lanes.
Must be 18 years or older.
Please email GETINVOLVED@SPECIALOLYMPICSMA.ORG for more information.