WeTrain takes over practice to give our athletes an edge for future competition. WeTrain brought their high energy and love for working out to shake up our athlete’s basketball practice on Wednesday, March 9th. WeTrain, an on-demand personal training company, split our athletes into two groups to give our athletes a more personalized workout session. While one group worked on their basketball skills, the other group rotated through stations to shake up their routine workout and learn new exercises and after our athletes completed the rotation, the groups switched.
WeTrain took their most popular workout categories and made them into stations for our athetes and in each station, our athletes each got personal attention to ensure they were doing each exercise with the proper form. At the end of each group’s circit- WeTrain tested our athletes’ speed by playing Sharks and Minnows and at the very end of the night, both group came together to play Knock Out – with an impromptu dance party happening as athletes and trainers alike waited to knockout each other!
ABC 6 Action News2: WeTrain Special Olympics
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Station 1: Basketball Skills 30 seconds each:
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Station 2: Stretch 30 seconds each:
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Station 3: Core 30 seconds each:
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Station 4: Strength 30 seconds each:
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Station 5: Yoga 30 seconds each:
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Game:
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This past Tuesday and Thursday, Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Philadelphia held our first IUS League Bocce games! It was exciting to see so many athletes and partners take the court to show off their bocce skills and show great sportsmanship after their individual game concluded. George Washington High School hosted our first games on Tuesday, February 9th and Abraham Lincoln High School hosted our second games on Thursday, February 11th. Thank you to both schools for being incredible hosts and opening your gyms for other schools and our volunteers and making sure everyone felt welcomed!
In total there were 19 teams participating from 7 schools between both days. Schools who came out were: Abraham Lincoln High School, George Washington High School, High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, High School of the Future, Parkway West High School, Simon Gratz High School, Thomas Edison High School. The competition was intense, yet full of energy. As an athlete or partner lined up to roll, there was almost complete silence on the court. As the bocce ball found it’s final resting place, the team would who rolled would erupt in cheers and clapping. With all of this excitement from the league games, we can’t wait to see what the Championship on Thursday, March 3rd at Thomas Edison High School brings!
George Washington: Washington, High School of the Future: Future, Simon Gratz: Gratz, Thomas Edison: Edison
Court 1 |
Court 2 |
Court 3 |
Court 4 |
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Round 1 |
Washington 1: 5 Future 2: 6 |
Washington 2: 5 Future 3: 4 |
Washington 3: 11 Gratz 1: 3 |
Future 1: 4 Edison 1: 7 |
Round 2 |
Washington 4: 8 Edison 2: 2 |
Washington 1: 4 Future 4: 2 |
Washington 2: 11 Future 2: 1 |
Washington 3: 6 Future 3: 8 |
Round 3 |
Gratz 1: 3 Future 1: 7 |
Washington 4: 15 Edison 1: 4 |
Washington 1: 11 Edison 2: 1 |
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Round 4 |
Washington 2: 6 Future 4: 4 |
Washington 3: 3 Future 2: 6 |
Gratz 1: 5 Future 3: 4 |
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Round 5 |
Future 1: 4 Edison 1: 2 |
Washington 4: 3 Edison 2: 5 |
Washington 1: 9 Future: 2 |
Abraham Lincoln: Lincoln, HS of the Creative and Performing Arts: CAPA, Parkway West: Parkway
Court 1 |
Court 2 |
Court 3 |
Court 4 |
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Round 1 |
Lincoln 1: 10 Parkway 2: 1 |
Lincoln 2: 7 Parkway 3: 4 |
Abraham Lincoln 3: 7 CAPA 1: 5 |
Parkway 1: 6 CAPA 2: 1 |
Round 2 |
Lincoln 1: 3 CAPA 2: 7 |
Lincoln 2: 4 Parkway 2: 11 |
Lincoln 3: 3 Parkway 3: 10 |
Parkway 1: 4 CAPA 1: 6 |
Round 3 |
Parkway 3: 6 CAPA 1: 2 |
Lincoln 2: 6 CAPA 2: 3 |
Lincoln 1: 3 Parkway 1: 9 |
Lincoln 3: 3 Parkway 2: 6 |
For more photos, please click here.
On Thursday, December 10th, Special Olympics Philadelphia held its 1st Elementary and Middle School Bocce Tournament. Twenty teams made up of over 100 students from Penrose, Austin Meehan Middle School, and Universal Daroff Charter participated in what was sure to be remembered event. The energy and excitement level rival a Friday night football game. Athletes and partners alike, cheered on each other as awards were handed out. Austin Meehan swept the top three spots in the middle school competition. Penrose took home first at the elementary level while Universal Daroff Charter rounded the medals out with silver and bronze. We are looking forward to next year’s competition already.
Huge thank you to Penrose Elementary School for hosting this historic event! Thank you to all of the coaches and principals from Penrose, Austin Meehan and Universal Daroff as well as the Philadelphia School District for your continued support and for helping make this dream a reality! An additional thank you to all of the volunteers who helped run this event!
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.
Third-grade class acted as Fans in the Stands at our 2015 Unified Soccer Championship held for our Interscholastic Unified Sport (IUS) program within Philadelphia high schools. This is a post from Need in Deed’s Facebook page on June 12, 2015. They are posting about a third grade class from McCall School. We were thrilled they could join us for the day to celebrate inclusion on and off the soccer field.
Ms. Hantman’s 3rd graders from McCall School were passionate about celebrating the amazing skills on display at Northeast High School for the recent Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Philadelphia Soccer Tournament where Philadelphia students with intellectual disabilities competed for prizes. The Need in Deed 3rd graders are winding down their service learning project on Special Needs Populations. Among so many other things they want to do, they knew the local Special Olympics event needed a great cheering section. They wrote cheers, made banners and designed their own tee-shirts. Ms. Bottaro’s 5th graders even helped make pom poms out of used plastic bags as part of their efforts to reduce plastic bag waste! Finally the day arrived. We know it’s hard to imagine how great it was, so we took lots of pictures to help you celebrate with us.
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.
In anticipation of the 2014 USA Games and the Team PA Send-Off being hosted by the Philadelphia 76ers tomorrow morning, our very own writer, Nick Cammarota, has created a moving and touching documentary about a Special Olympics PA – Philadelphia Unified Athlete: Dadley Thenor. Originally from Haiti, he makes the best of what he has been given – all with a smile on his face. He is a shining example of what the Special Olympics movement is all about. He encompasses the human spirit and anyone around him gets their spirit uplifted.
This segment aired on, Friday, June 13th, at 5:00 pm on WHYY. The eight-minute documentary, titled “My Friend — The Story of Dadly Thenor” focuses on George Washington High School goaltender Dadly Thenor. It focuses on the uplifting and incredible background story highlighting his life and education at George Washington and his participation in the Unified Soccer Program.
George Washington High School student Dadly Thenor uses a walker to get around nearly all the time — except when he plays goalie for the Eagles’ Unified Soccer team. Discover his story here through the eyes of Dadly and his coaches, John Creighton and Yvonne Schwiker, as the Eagles prepare to compete in the Special Olympics National Games in New Jersey.
Uncle Sam might want you, but WE DO TOO!! We need you to volunteer, because volunteers make our world go round. Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Philadelphia relies on the wonderful work that our dedicated team of volunteers selflessly provide event after event and time after time. We couldn’t do what we do without their support.
There are a number of ways that you, too, can get involved! Depending on your area of interest opportunities include: Games Management, Coaching, Day of Event Volunteers, Special Events, Internships, Young Professionals Committee, Administrative and Office Support and you can even Volunteer to Cheer – just come out and be a fan!
If you’re interested in receiving information about available volunteer opportunities, please fill out a NEW VOLUNTEER INTEREST FORM! From there you will receive occasional emails updating you on upcoming volunteer needs and how you can get involved and support Special Olympics PA – Philadelphia!
We do have some IMMEDIATE needs, however. If you’re able to help for any of the below, please contact us immediately (bkleine@specialolympicspa.org) and we will confirm your attendance as a volunteer.
1) Unified Soccer Matches: Wednesday, May 7 at MLK High School from 8:30 AM until approximately 12:30 PM, and Wednesday, May 14 at Frankford Stadium from 8:30 AM until approximately 12:30 PM. Volunteers are needed to help set up games and run the matches for our school students (both with and without intellectual disabilities).
2) Unified Soccer Championship: Friday, May 30, 2014, at Thomas Edison High School. Volunteer opportunities range from 6:00 AM until about 3:30 PM. The needs include set up, athlete coordination, games management, event management, and more. This event is the culminating event of this year’s Unified Soccer in Philadelphia! Dignitaries and other VIP guests will be out witnessing the excitement. This will be a fun tournament-type day with 13 schools participating.
3) Dirty Dash: Saturday, June 7 from 6:15 AM until 2:15 pm. The organizers of the Dirty Dash are giving SOPA Philly a donation for each volunteer we provide! Volunteers are needed to help with the setup and management of the event. We have a goal of providing 50 volunteers. The event is in Schwenksville, PA and volunteers must be 18 and older. We also have 20 free Foam 5K registrations to give away to Dirty Dash volunteers on a first come first serve basis. The Foam 5k is on May 24th.
4) SAVE THE DATE: SOPA Athlete National Games Send-off: Saturday, June 14, 2014. More information will be available soon! We will need everyone in Philadelphia and the surrounding area to come out and Volunteer to Cheer! We will be joining together at the Wells Fargo Center to send off Special Olympic Pennsylvania athletes to the National Games in New Jersey and wish them luck. Philadelphia is sending the largest delegation of athletes in Pennsylvania and they need your support. BE A PART OF THE MAGIC!
Please contact Britt at bkleine@specialolympicspa.org to confirm your attendance as a volunteer at any of the above events or to inquire further. As always, thank you for support SOPA Philly!
Participants line up at the starting line for the 29th annual Leprechaun Run
This year’s 29th Annual Leprechaun Run was a Success! The Leprechaun Run, a Philadelphia tradition since 1984 continued on March 16th at The Navy Yard and raised over $27,000 for Special Olympics Pennsylvania athletes.
Thank you to everyone who came out to help make the Leprechaun Run the great event that it was! We couldn’t have asked for better weather, or better participants!
We have big plans in store for next year’s 30th run including bringing the run back to its roots on the second Saturday in March. Stayed tuned toward the end of 2014 for further details on what you can expect from our 2015 Leprechaun Run!
For race photos and results, click here for results and click here for photos. For more information about the Leprechaun Run, click here.
See you next year for the Leprechaun’s 30th birthday!
On Friday, May 31, 2013, Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Philadelphia program will partner with the School District of Philadelphia for an inaugural Unified Soccer Championship held at Frankford Memorial Stadium, located at the corner of Wakeling and Large Streets in Philadelphia. Opening Ceremonies, hosted by Veteran Philadelphia Sports Broadcaster Don Tollefson, will begin at 9:45am followed by competition until noon and the Championship game at approximately 12:30pm.
The Championship features teams from 10 Philadelphia high schools from across the city including: Abraham Lincoln, Edward Bok, Frankford, George Washington, High School of the Future, Northeast, Samuel Fels, Thomas Edison, Boy’s Latin and University City High School. Approximately 100 athletes will culminate months of preparation for these Unified Games and display the “best of the best” during this year’s competition.
The United States Department of Education (DOE) released new guidance to schools and school systems throughout the nation that receive federal aid about the requirements of providing quality sports opportunities for students with disabilities on January 25, 2013. Special Olympics Unified Sports® is an inclusive sports program that puts athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. This first ever rostered 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.
“To see Unified Sports in action is to see inclusion at its finest,” said Barbara Chavous, Director of Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Philadelphia program. “What better way for our young people to accept their peers than to allow them to be teammates and equals on the playing field? I truly believe this program is breaking down walls and creating tremendous positive change among our youth.”
The program anticipates guests representing Special Olympics International, Pennsylvania elected and appointed officials, City Council members and a host of dignitaries joining Dr. William R. Hite Jr., Superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia, Pedro A. Ramos, Esq., Chairman of the School Reform Commission, and administrators and staff from both the Philadelphia School District and Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Philadelphia program is also launching their “Volunteer to Cheer” program to encourage students from participating schools to cheer on their peers. Competition is not as special without the fans, so supporters of any age are invited to come and support their team. For more information visit www.facebook.com/SOPAPhiladelphia and click the Volunteer to Cheer tab.
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