Since its formation at Cinnaminson High School over five years ago, the Play Unified Program is back for its spring season and equipped for meets against Delran, Pennsauken, Cherry Hill West, and Moorestown. This season, student athletes competed in the 100m, 200m, and 400m sprints, in addition to the four-person relay.

Ahead of the season, art teacher and Play Unified advisor, Colleen DePietro, shares that she is excited to see what this spring will bring for the program, which allows students with and without intellectual disabilities the opportunity to engage in sports. 

According to DePietro,  able to help those who have few oppurtunies to compete in a sport is so rewarding, which is what makes Play Unified such a unique expirience.experience 

“To be able to do that and get a sense of belonging, get a sense of sportsmanship, and get a sense of almost a real game.” DePietro said. 

Inclusion is a main theme developed throughout the Play Unified sports programs, which include basketball in the winter and soccer in the fall.

“I think it is just important, I think inclusion is an insanely important thing, and I think I see everyone as equal and has equal potential,” sophomore Rebecca Peterson, a student volunteer, said about being a part of the team. 

DePietro calls attention to how significantly rewarding, but yet sometimes challenging Play Unified can be. 

Although the physcial aspects may be challenging at times, Play Unified brings so much joy to players. Despite any athletic obstacles participants may come across, the teams are very united. “So it’s one of the most rewarding activities that I participate in here because both the athletes and the partners are built in a very close-knit community and support each other,” DePietro said. 

Although the physical aspects can be challenging for the partners, Peterson said participating in the program and helping out are worthwhile. 

“A challenge is that a lot of the partners, including me, did not expect that we have to actually run on the sidelines doing stuff, but we have to run and keeping a high energy, it’s tough because sometimes I don’t feel like doing certain things, but it is so rewarding in the end,” Peterson said. 

The idea of volunteering, specifically student volunteering, is critical to the program’s growth. DePietro explained that volunteering can come in many roles that all contribute to Play Unified’s success, while Peterson explained the many responsibilities that come with being a partner. 

“So we call ourselves partners. We help out with the special needs students,” Peterson said. “Sometimes kids who struggle to stay in their lane, we help run with them, we tend to participate in the track meets…we are basically just there to help and be supportive.” 

Team practices are short, yet effective. The students, coaches, and partners work hard throughout the season to prepare for meets. 

Peterson describes a typical practice.

“We stretch inside or outside depending on the weather, we do a couple laps, some relays, practice one of the three main things, shotput, long jumps or relays with batons and we have everyone practice it at least twice and we are limited to only an hour for practices,” Peterson said. “The support is a major factor, practice cheering for each other.” 

As for competitions, meets are held on Tuesdays or Thursdays after school in nearby towns like Moorestown and Delran. 

Despite being a smaller team than its fall and winter counterparts, the spring team is full of energy and team spirit. 

“I have only done the unified fall sport so I can only speak on that,” Peterson said. “The team is a little bit smaller and a higher atmosphere and with track it is not like a thing where you’re keeping score or how many points the other team has. It’s a lot less of a competitive atmosphere than soccer, like a lot more team spirit.”