Volunteer as a Unified or Peer Partner

Special Olympics Unified Sports® is an initiative that combines approximately equal numbers of Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities (called Unified or Peer Partners) on sports teams for training and competition. The matching of athletes and partners by age and ability is defined on a sport-by-sport basis.

Unified competition, offered for children and adults ages 8 and older, takes place in the following sports: Aquatics, Athletics, Basketball, Bowling, Flag Football, Golf, Softball, Soccer, Tennis and Volleyball.

Peer Partners team up with Special Olympics athletes in skills competitions and demonstrate the skills for the athletes during training and competition.

Peer Partners, ages 2 and older, participate in the following sports: soccer and basketball skills, Young Athlete events, and the Motor Activity Training Program.

Registering as a Unified or Peer Partner

If you have not been assigned to a team, please contact Brenda Zullo at bzullo@udel.edu or 302-740-1045.

If you are already assigned to a team to participate as a Unified or Peer Partner, please complete the following requirements based on your age:

Unified/Peer Partners ages 15 and younger:

1. complete the Unified and Peer Partner form for ages 15 and younger.

Unified/Peer Partners ages 16 and older:

1. complete the online volunteer/unified partner application AND two (2) reference letters if you are 20 years old or younger. Please fax the reference letters to 302-831-3483. (Note: Unified Partners over the age of 21 will have a background check completed using the information you provide on your volunteer application.

2. complete the online Protective Behaviors Training.

Unified Sports enables Special Olympics athletes to:

Learn new sports
Develop higher-level sports skills
Have new competition experiences
Experience meaningful inclusion (each athlete is ensured of playing a valued role on the team)
Socialize with peers and form friendships (the initiative provides a forum for positive social interaction between teammates and often leads to long-lasting friendships)
Participate in their communities and have sports choices outside of Special Olympics.

For more information, including how to become a Unified Partner, contact Brenda Zullo at 302-740-1045 or bzullo@udel.edu.

Volunteer Requirements

Special Olympics Delaware

Volunteer as a Unified or Peer Partner

Registering as a Unified or Peer Partner

Unified Sports enables Special Olympics athletes to:

For more information, including how to become a Unified Partner, contact Brenda Zullo at 302-740-1045 or bzullo@udel.edu.

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