Local south sound high school teams resumed Unified Soccer games Saturday, April 16, 2022 at South Sound Stadium. Teams will continue to play on Saturdays including April 23, April 30 (at Yelm) and May 7 at South Sound Stadium. Local teams in the league include North Thurston, Timberline, River Ridge, Yelm, and Olympia high schools.
About 1.4 million people worldwide take part in Unified Sports, breaking down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities in a positive way, according to Special Olympics. Each team is made up of athletes with intellectual disabilities and those without, called partners.
North Thurston hosted the event and Michela Laverty who helps coordinate the league was thrilled that her athletes have the ability to play again after taking a break during the COVID-19 pandemic that canceled the 2020 and 2021 seasons. “This is a big refresh for our program and it is just great as we have many new partners and athletes,” stated Laverty. “We have a leadership summit later this year to help build our programs, and it’s just awesome to be out again this spring. For many of our athletes it’s one of the first times they get to compete on a school team, make new friends, or hang out with their peers outside of the classroom.”
River Ridge team coordinator Beverly Fanning was also thankful for the opportunity to resume play for her entire school. “After two years it’s really great to be back and my team is just excited to be here,” Fanning remarked. “We have some new partners this year and this is great for our school and some of the diversity issues our school has been working on and through.”
If you would like to assist or come watch any of the future spring Unified Soccer competitions please contact Michela Laverty at mlaverty1@nthurston.k12.wa.us for more information.
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