Beyond Sports

Bringing People Together

At Special Olympics Arizona, our Beyond Sports initiative is the heart of our commitment to inclusion—extending far beyond the playing field. Through year-round programs in health, education, and leadership, Beyond Sports empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities to thrive in every aspect of life. From free health screenings to early childhood development and school-based inclusion efforts, this initiative builds confidence, connection, and lifelong well-being for athletes across the state.

Athlete Leadership

Special Olympics Arizona’s (SOAZ) Athlete Leadership Program empowers athletes to develop their skills, utilize their voices, influence change, educate, and become leaders in their communities. The Athlete Leadership Program is an inclusive program by athletes for athletes and showcases athletes’ leadership talents. Athlete Leaders promote positive leadership for all involved with Special Olympics Arizona.

UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS®

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is an education-based program that utilizes sports and education programs as a catalyst for inclusion by activating young people to develop school communities where all youth are agents of change fostering respect, dignity, and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities.

YOUNG ATHLETES

Young Athletes is a unique sport and play program for children with intellectual disabilities. The focus is on fun activities that are important to mental and physical growth. Children ages 2 to 7 enjoy games and activities that develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Young Athletes is an early introduction to sports and to the world of Special Olympics. The children learn new things, play and have lots of fun!

HEALTHY ATHLETES

Special Olympics Arizona’s (SOAZ) Health Programs strive to expand those with intellectual disabilities access to health care and wellness resources from a series of single events, to a steady presence in the lives of our athletes and their families at a statewide level. The Healthy Athletes Program provides free health screenings, education, and follow-up care for Special Olympics athletes.

ESports

SOAZ provides exciting opportunities for athletes to connect, compete, and grow through our esports programs. Whether you’re looking for competitive play or just a fun way to meet new people, our programs promote teamwork, build friendships, and enhance critical thinking skills—all through the power of gaming.

AIA UNIFIED SPORTS®

(High School)

AIA Unified Sports® is about inclusion and recognition of the Special Olympics athletes on their high school campus. Unified Sports® athletes have the opportunity to enjoy sports competitions and represent their school as an official team on campus. The AIA Unified Sports program offers individuals with and without disabilities a typical high school sports experience.

UNIFIED SPORTS

Team sports bring people together. Special Olympics Unified Sports teams do that too, and much more.

Half a million people worldwide take part in Unified Sports, breaking down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities in a really fun way.