UNIFIED PARTNERS
Play alongside athletes and make a difference
UNIFIED PARTNERS
BE THE TEAMMATE WHO MAKES A DIFFERENCE
BE THE TEAMMATE WHO MAKES A DIFFERENCE
A Unified Partner is an individual without an intellectual disability who trains and competes alongside Special Olympics athletes on the same team through Unified Sports®. Together, athletes and partners build friendships, strengthen teamwork, and discover what is possible when everyone is given the opportunity to belong. As you compete side by side, you will help create meaningful experiences that support athlete growth, encourage confidence, and celebrate the strengths that each teammate brings to the game. The result is more than a team. It’s a community built on inclusion, connection, and shared achievement.
WHY IT MATTERS
When athletes and partners compete together, everyone benefits.
Meaningful Friendships
Many students and athletes who participate in Unified Sports report stronger relationships and a greater sense of belonging, both on and off the field.
Helps athletes develop new skills
Training alongside Unified Partners exposes athletes to different perspectives, strategies, and styles of play, helping them build confidence and grow as competitors.
Strengthens teamwork and leadership
Unified teams encourage athletes and partners to communicate, problem solve, and support one another as they work toward shared goals.
Builds more inclusive communities
The connections formed through Unified Sports often extend beyond competition, helping create environments where people of all abilities are welcomed, valued, and respected.
Your Unified Sports Journey Starts Here
Click your community for information on opprtunities available near you and to register to play!
Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties
All of Los Angeles County
Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego Counties
OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED WITH SOSC
