LTCHS continues to build inclusive spirit via Unified Sports

Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School will welcome nearly 120 athletes and partners on May 8 for its annual Unified Sports Tournament - a powerful celebration of inclusion, teamwork, sportsmanship and school pride.

About 30 student-athletes from Lindsay Thurber and 15 student-partners will take part in the tournament, which focuses on basketball and bean bag throw. Unified Sports is a branch of the Special Olympics that brings together students with intellectual disabilities - referred to as athletes - and neurotypical students - referred to as partners - to compete side by side.

“Unified is run through Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association just like all of our other school sports,” said Hayley Goring, Teacher at Lindsay Thurber. “Three years ago, ASAA wanted to bring Unified Sports to Red Deer, and we’re proud to be part of making that happen.”

The basketball games follow a three-on-three format, with two athletes and one partner on the court at all times. Bean bag throw teams are made up of one athlete and one partner.

The benefits of Unified Sports for students reach beyond the gym.

“Our students are able to build meaningful connections outside of our program,” said Hayley. “It allows our students the opportunity to wear our school colours and represent our school.”

In addition, next month, four athletes and two partners from Lindsay Thurber will head to Ottawa to take part in the Special Olympics Ontario Provincial School Championships. “This is an incredible opportunity for our school, and we are grateful for the support from Special Olympics Ontario, Special Olympics Alberta, ASAA and our school,” said Hayley. “We’re staying in dorms at Carleton University, which will be a great experience, and for a couple of our athletes, they have never been on a plane before - so there is a lot of excitement.”

What makes the program particularly special is the spirit of community and genuine inclusion it fosters.

“I can’t highlight enough about how excited our students get to be part of this,” said Hayley. “Because this is not an assigned class, the partners who are involved in the program want to be there and want to build connections within our school. They are the loveliest group of kids.. As a teacher, it’s rewarding to step back and watch our kids hang out and be meaningfully included with their peers. That is really what it’s all about.”