A Pine Valley High School bocce ball player uses two hockey sticks to help throw during a game against the Jamestown Red & Green on Sept. 30 in Lakewood.
Jamestown High School players in red and green congratulate Pine Valley Panthers bocce ball players after a game in Lakewood. Pajama photo: Christopher Blakeslee
A Pine Valley High School bocce ball player uses two hockey sticks to help throw during a game against the Jamestown Red & Green on Sept. 30 in Lakewood.
Members of Jamestown High School’s unified bocce team are making special memories in the team’s first season as they travel to Buffalo for the championship match.
According to specialolympics.org, unified sports promote social inclusion through the sharing of sports training and competitive experiences. In unified sports, people with and without intellectual disabilities play on the same team. It was inspired by the simple principle that training and playing together is a shortcut to friendship and understanding.
HS Athletic Director Ben Drake said he and the entire district fully embrace the bocce ball team and other unified sports teams the school currently offers.
“Unified Sports has been very popular in middle schools and we continue to look for ways to expand the program. Several schools in the CCAA (Chautauqua Cattaraugus Athletic Association) added unified bocce last year. “We’ve heard that they’ve done it or are considering adding it this year. So far, this has been a very positive addition to our program,” he said.
Drake also added how he sees the future of unified sports in the district and the possibility of expanding the program.
Jamestown High School players in red and green congratulate Pine Valley Panthers bocce ball players after a game in Lakewood. Pajama photo: Christopher Blakeslee
“Brenda Degnan is the head coach and Macy Lundmark is the assistant coach. We are fortunate to have Brenda as the Unified Coach, as she has extensive experience in Special Olympics, especially bocce. She will continue to lead the Unified Program in the future. We will continue to evaluate and consider adding additional sports in the future.Unified Sports has provided valuable opportunities for students with disabilities to participate in athletics, as well as students without disabilities. We also provide a great platform to work with them and help them participate successfully. This has been a very rewarding experience for our athletes, partners, coaches and spectators this year. We will once again have a unified bowling team and a unified basketball team,” Drake said.
The JHS team traveled to Buffalo on Thursday for the Unified Bocce Ball Team Championship.
“The kids have put in a lot of effort leading up to the season,” Degnan said. “I’m so proud of them. The unified competition allows our athletes to compete, but it also allows them to meet students from other districts and make new friends.”
