A Unified Soccer Team from George Washington High School will be participating in the 2016 MLS Works Exchange Game as the Philadelphia Union! On Saturday, May 28th, our athletes will face off a Unified Colorado Rapids team at 9:00pm at Dicks Sporting Goods Park. Major League Soccer (MLS) started a relationship with Special Olympics and together created the Unified Exchange Program in 2013 to promote inclusion at all levels of soccer. Through the MLS Unified Exchange Program, Special Olympics athletes in an MLS city form a team. From there, Unified soccer teams travel to other MLS soccer markets and receive training from MLS players and coaches and compete against each other on the same fields the pros play on.
Special Olympics Unified Sports® creates an opportunity for people without intellectual disabilities to join in the sports experience by playing on a team with athletes with intellectual disabilities. Not only do the players all have fun, but attitude change and transformation happens on the playing field and the experiences create lifelong friendships.
On Saturday, August 1, 2015 members of our Martin Luther King High School Unified along with two students from Chester team played against players from Rowan University’s ‘SO College’ Unified group. a Unified New Jersey team at PPL Park prior to the Philadelphia Union game against the New York Red Bulls. Our athletes and partners arrived to a Union-fied locker room with Union jerseys with their last name on the back, shorts and socks. Once they changed, you could have easily mistaken them for the actual Philadelphia Union!
Prior to the starting whistle, some Philadelphia Union members came to wish our team luck including midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin, forward Andrew Wenger, and defender Raymond Lee. With high fives all around, our team was ready to play! Our Unified Philadelphia Union team looked great on the field. During the first half, Philadelphia Union goalkeeper, John McCarthy, joined us on the bench laughing, talking, giving advice, and of course giving high-fives to our team. Luck was with us because as the whistle blew signaling the first half was over, the score was Philadelphia Union 3 – New York Red Bulls 0. All three goals were scored by athlete, Kenny Lamont.
During half time, Philadelphia Union midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin brought manager, Jim Curtin, along to see our athletes and congratulate them on their first three goals. The second half started off strong as we were leading the New York Red Bulls Unified team 3-0. After more thrilling play by both teams, the Red Bulls scored a goal, followed by another goal from our Unified team by Denzel McFadden. The Red Bulls were able to score one more time on our team leaving the final score Philadelphia Union 4 – New York Red Bulls 2.
After the Exchange Game, our Philadelphia athletes and partners were able to enjoy the Philadelphia Union vs New York Red Bulls game. During halftime, both Unified teams were brought on the field one last time to be awarded their medals. Sons of Ben (Philadelphia Union’s fan club) gave both Unified Teams roaring applause and support as all athletes and partners received their award. Following the Union/Red Bulls game, both Exchange teams and their families were invited to a reception before heading home.
Edwin Leon, Partner (left) and Angel Rose, Athlete (right) in Denver, Colorado participate in the Unified Sports All-Star Soccer Match
On Tuesday, July 28, 2015 two Northeast High School students who participate in our Interscholastic Unified Sports program, represented Philadelphia in the second annual Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Soccer Match, presented by MLS WORKS. Athlete Angel Rosa and partner Edwin Leon headed to Denver, Colorado to participate in the match as part of the East Team who competed against the West Team. The match held at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park featured a 7-v-7 East vs. West All-Star format. Each Unified Sports soccer team wore uniforms provide by ADIDAS and played a 7-v-7 match consisting of two 20-minute halves.
MLS Celebrities included MLS on-air talent Brian Dunseth who provided commentary and interviews with both players and coaches, Colorado Rapids players acted as on-hand coaches, and LA Galaxy and U.S. National Legend Landon Donovan presented the athletes and partners with medals after the game.
About Interscholastic Unified Sports
Special Olympics Pennsylvania Interscholastic Unified Sports® (IUS) is a fully-inclusive co-ed high school sports program which successfully facilitates social inclusion by bringing together a proportional number of students with and without disabilities on teams for training and competition. By providing opportunities for students with all types of disabilities and without disabilities to participate in sports meaningfully and by engaging other students in the school community, Interscholastic Unified Sports helps promote inclusion, acceptance, and respect.
Between June 18th and June 23rd, seven Philadelphia athletes toured the twenty-two went on the 2015 TD Tour. The TD Tour is when Special Olympics athletes visit various TD Banks to thank them for their support and sponsorship throughout the year. The athletes who participated in the 2015 TD Tour are Ian Capacio, Kelly Dluzniewski, Stan Dluzniewski, Derrick Jackson, Jackie Lutts, John Mitchell, Eugene Riley.
These athletes had the opportunity to go behind the scenes of a bank and see tellers operate, say hello to customers at the drive through, see where TD’s clients’ valuables are kept, and some even tried their hand at bank telling! Our Philadelphia athletes had a lot of fun getting to know our new TD friends and touring where they work. Thank you to all of the TD Banks who hosted us and we can’t wait for next year!
FOX 29 News Philadelphia | WTXF-TV
On Friday, May 29, 2015, Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Philadelphia program partnered with the School District of Philadelphia for the 3rd Annual Unified Soccer Championship held at Northeast High School, located at 1601 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia. Opening Ceremonies began at 9:30am followed by preliminary competition until about noon. After teams participated in preliminary competition, they then went head to head for the medal rounds including the Championship game! Special guest, Matt Cord, from WMMR helped start the day with an energetic, exciting Opening Ceremony.
The Championship featured teams from 11 Philadelphia high schools and Chester High School. Schools in attendance were: Abraham Lincoln, Audenried High School, Chester High School, Furness High School, George Washington High School, High School of the Future, Martin Luther King High School, Northeast High School, Sayre High School, South Philadelphia High School, and Thomas Edison High School. In addition to the soccer tournament, Creative and Performing Arts High School and Samuel Fels High School will showed their skills at bocce in some friendly competition.
Special Olympics Unified Sports® is an inclusive sports program that puts athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. This Unified Soccer elective course, developed in partnership between the School District of Philadelphia and Special Olympics Pennsylvania, includes curriculum with youth leadership components, anti-bullying elements and soccer training and competition. The course provides greater access to sports for all students, with and without disabilities.
Volunteers work with our young athletes as Philadelphia held its First Ever Young Athletes Program
Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Philadelphia held its First Ever Young Athletes Program on Sunday, April 26th at the Northeast Philadelphia YMCA for children ages 2 through 7. With a capped registration of 18 children split between the two classes, their first session was an absolute success!
This event is the first of many Philadelphia program Young Athlete 8-week programs to come with the hopes of continuing to grow throughout other areas in Philadelphia. Feedback from parents about the need for a program of this nature has been overwhelming and the program is excited to finally have it underway, with a waiting list already established for the next session!
To learn more about the Young Athletes Program and get your child on the waiting list, or to volunteer check out www.sopaphilly.org/youngathletes.
About Young Athletes
Young Athletes™ is a unique sport and play program for children with intellectual disabilities. The focus is on fun activities that are important to mental and physical growth. Children ages 2 to 7 enjoy games and activities that develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Young Athletes is an early introduction to sports and to the world of Special Olympics.
(Philadelphia, PA, April 10, 2015) – More than 250 Special Olympic Pennsylvania athletes, 300 volunteers and 50 coaches, from Philadelphia and the surrounding area, will migrate to the William Penn Charter School, located at 3000 W. School House Lane, on Saturday, April 18th, for the 35th Annual Spring Games Competition. Athletes will compete in athletics (track and field), basketball and tennis.
The 2015 Spring Games will kick off with local members of Law Enforcement running with the Flame of Hope from the Art Museum to Penn Charter School. The Torch is expected to arrive at 9:00a.m., prior to Opening Ceremonies. The Ceremonies will include a parade of athletes, special guest speakers, and the lighting of the cauldron with Games immediately following and taking place until 3:30 p.m.
This year, through a new partnership, Maramont Corporation is donating lunches, snacks and refreshments for over 500 athletes, volunteers and coaches attending the 2015 Philadelphia Spring Games. The Maramont Corporation supplies pre-packaged food meals to various city agencies, provides lunches for the Philadelphia School District, and operates as a subsidiary of Prepared Meal Holdings, Inc.
Beyond competition and Opening Ceremonies, the Spring Games will feature a family-friendly Olympic Town that will provide entertainment for all. Members of the community are invited to join the festivities with their friends and families to experience the joy that sports provide for Special Olympics Pennsylvania athletes.
About Special Olympics Pennsylvania
Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round training and competition in 21 Olympic-type sports to nearly 20,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities. For more information about how SOPA inspires greatness, visit our Web site at www.specialolympicspa.org.
Runners in the 5 Mile Race make the Leprechaun Run a Wet Success!
The Leprechaun Run a Wet Success!
Leprechaun Run a Wet Success! It couldn’t have been any wetter for the 30th Annual Leprechaun Run, but over 500 runners and walkers braved the rain to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Philadelphia. The Leprechaun Run was held on Saturday, March 14th adjacent to the Philadelphia Art Museum and Paine’s Park.
Prior to the race, managers from the Ambler, Langhorne and Philadelphia branches of Sam’s Club presented a check to Special Olympics Pennsylvania from their fundraising efforts equaling more than $200,000! Following the Sam’s Club’s check presentation, participants were welcomed by Philadelphia athlete Lisa Barbour, who thanked participants for coming and led the crowd in reciting the Athlete Oath. Lisa kicked off the race and off they went!
Langhorne and Philadelphia branches of Sam’s Club present Special Olympics Pennsylvania a check for $200,000
The Leprechaun Run concluded with the presentation of awards to the top overall finishers and the top male and female in various age categories. Everyone left wet and with a smile on their face as they said farewell to the 30th annual Leprechaun Run.
Click here to view event photos courtesy of TriState Media Productions.
Click here to view the results for the 5 Mile Race.
Spread the Word to End the Word is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics, Best Buddies and our supporters to inspire respect and acceptance through raising the consciousness of society about the R-word – ‘retard(ed)’ – and how hurtful words and disrespect can be toward people with intellectual disabilities. Spread the Word to End the Word was founded by college students Soeren Palumbo (Notre Dame 2011) and Tim Shriver (Yale 2011) in 2009, and continues to be led by passionate young people, along with Special Olympics athletes and Best Buddies participants across the United States and in many other parts of the world.
The campaign, created by youth, is intended to engage schools, organizations and communities to rally and pledge their support at www.r-word.org and to promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The annual day of awareness is held the first Wednesday of every March. While most activities are centered on or near that annual day in March, people everywhere can help spread the word throughout their communities and schools year-round thru pledge drives, youth rallies and online activation.
Respectful and inclusive language is essential to the movement for the dignity and humanity of people with intellectual disabilities. However, much of society does not recognize the hurtful, dehumanizing and exclusive effects of the R-word.Language affects attitudes. Attitudes impact actions. To make your pledge and learn how you can Spread the Word to End the Word and start #Respect today, visit www.R-word.org.
Special Olympics PA is pleased that many of its Interscholastic Unified Sports programs will be helping to “Spread the Word” at their schools on various dates in March! #PlayUnified
Philadelphia
Allegheny County
Centre County
Special Olympics Philadelphia is calling all Athletes, Coaches, Volunteers, and families to come out to meet the new Director of Special Olympics Philadelphia at our First Town Hall Meeting February 18th! This is an opportunity to share your Ideas, thoughts, concerns, and give your input as we formulate the strategic plan for Philadelphia that will guide our program over the next three years.
Join us on Wednesday, February 18th from 6:30pm – 7:30pm in the gym of Northeast High School located at 1601 Cottman Ave. Be sure to enter off of Algon Avenue. Feel free to contact Britt directly with any questions, comments or concerns at 215.671.5063 or bkleine@specialolympicspa.org.
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