Inclusive hoops sees major growth
Teams at three-on-three tourney have players of mixed abilities
Part of the Special Olympics Unified Sport program, the Unified 3 on 3 Basketball Provincial Championships held at Archbishop M.C. O’Neill High School on Saturday saw a 220-per-cent increase in participation over last year.
The program promotes social inclusion through sports, and brings together people with and without intellectual disabilities to compete. A total of 16 schools from Regina and surrounding communities competed this year, compared to five in the program’s first year.
More than 200 athletes competed on Saturday, according to the event’s organizers. One of those athletes was Spencer Peterson, a Grade 10 student from F.W. Johnson Collegiate. This was his second year in the program.
“The first year I did it, it was kind of challenging because there was a bunch of schools that had top competition,” said Peterson. “I got a little bit nervous, but other than that, I had a lot of fun.”
Watching Peterson play this year, it was clear he was having a ball and if there were any nerves present, they didn’t stop him from executing two flawless layups within a few minutes of each other.
His aunt and guardian April Peterson sat in the bleachers cheering him on. A look of surprise and then pride filled her face as her nephew’s layups accumulated points for his team.
“Spencer is an amazing kid,” said April. “He has been with me for about five years. He has ADHD, but he deals with it very well. His outlet is sports of all kinds.”
The games were played in a three-on-three format. As per the program’s rules, each team must have two Special Olympics athletes — people with intellectual disabilities — and one unified sports partner athlete — someone without an intellectual disability — on the floor at all times.
Teams are comprised of people of similar ages and ability. The program is usually specific to students with intellectual disabilities, but organizers have expanded it to students with physical disabilities.
The combination of athletes with and without disabilities is meant to break down barriers and build bridges. Chris Hamilton, the youth program co-ordinator, said working or playing with people with disabilities teaches empathy and combats stereotypes.
“They can contribute, whether it’s on a court or playing bocce or bowling, it doesn’t really matter,” said Hamilton. “If you include them, then you get all the benefits of it, and if you don’t, you don’t learn, you don’t grow.”
From keeping them active to boosting self-esteem and confidence, the program does a lot for the kids with disabilities who participate, Hamilton said.
“It has a ripple effect,” he said. “You’ll have one guy in a wheelchair who’s usually segregated and in their own classes — well, he’s going to go down the hallway and go, ‘I play on a basketball team with that guy and that guy,’ and they high-five.”
Despite the fact teams were competing against each other, there was a strong feeling of camaraderie and friendship, which was especially evident during a lunchtime group photo on the front steps of the high school. With no ramp to the steps, a boy in a wheelchair waited on the sidewalk patiently, only to be picked up by four other students and whisked up onto the steps to be included in the shot.
“It’s important for all of them to come together to make a good bonding experience with the other teams, to make new friends,” said Spencer.
“And most importantly, just to have a good time.”