Jamestown Public School Athletic Director Ben Drake talks to the board of education about the district’s Unified Sports Program. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

The Jamestown Public Schools Board of Education heard an update on the district’s Unified Sports Program.

JPS Athletic Director Ben Drake said “Unified Sports provide authentic interscholastic opportunities for students with and without disabilities, Drake said.

Special Olympics and Unified Sports, Drake added, are dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competitive experiences. Special Olympics is only for young people who have intellectual and or physical disabilities, he added.

“Unified sports joins people with and without disabilities in the same team, and it was inspired by a simple principle – training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding,” Drake said.

Drake went on to explain that in unified sports, the teams are comprised of individuals of similar age and abilities, which makes practices more fun, games more challenging, and exciting for all.

“Having sports in common is just one way, one more way the preconceptions and false ideas are swept away. And because of your support of this program, we have been able to provide opportunities for students who otherwise would not have had those opportunities and did not have them,” Drake told board members.

During the inaugural season, in 2023, Drake noted that there was just a unified basketball team. In 2024, a unified bowling team, and this year a unified bocci team, and a unified club, were added.

Drake added that more local teams are being formed at other schools in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.

“Thank you for the presentation,” Board member John Panebianco said. “I’m inspired by the athletes. I’m inspired by the coaches, and the parents. What a wonderful program.”