This year Bernards High School has started the unified bowing team. The unified sport “Joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team.” (https://www.specialolympics.org) Joining people together makes sports more fun for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Individuals with disabilities don’t always have the opportunity to play sports. This gives our star program more opportunities for them to engage in sports.
Our Bernards High School unified bowling team had its first match. Their first match was against Mount Olive. The score was 73-99 but everyone played with passion. The team was made up of four teammates; Charlie Lichtenfeld, Christian O’Donnell, Amanda Wendling, and Logan McGrory.
Mrs. Hart said, “The team captain Logan McGory took the lead and gave pep talks to everyone on the team.”
This event/match was a great opportunity for them to be a part of the team participating in a real match and wearing uniforms. This can be exciting to do for the first time. For the students getting to experience this was so special to all of them. This was an opportunity for them to also learn life skills and how to take turns.
Mr. Cherng said, “This is the first activity that is an athletic activity where everyone is involved and feels invited.”
This is a program we are trying to grow and expand upon for future events. This program hopes they can add more people to their program next year. Having this is special for the players and we hope that more people will join next year. Growing this program would be a great opportunity for our students with intellectual disabilities to play with students without. Playing with each other gives opportunities for them to learn life skills and communication in the community. The players had a great time socializing with everyone and learning about the sport.
The team would go to the bowling alley and practice, usually going once a week to practice after school. They were so excited about the match and being with a team, and even though they didn’t win, it was still a great opportunity for everyone.
Bowling is a great way to get everyone involved, and is a great sport for them to participate in. The program is hoping to get more people next year to join the program.