AIA Unified Sports

Dedicated to providing opportunities

The Special Olympics Arizona (SOAZ) team is led by dedicated staff with various backgrounds. Our goal is to provide athletes with opportunities, promote awareness, and provide support to the community.

Inclusion and Recognition

Special Olympics Arizona has been partnering with the Arizona Interscholastic Association since 2011 to provide Unified Sports through a competitive interscholastic model. Through AIA Unified Sports, athletes and partners are able to:

Represent their school community with pride by wearing school name/colors and competing in a legitimate arena alongside their peers
Participate in regular-season and post-season interscholastic league play against other high school Unified Sports teams
Qualify for advancement to AIA state-level tournaments to compete for state championship titles
Be eligible to receive Varsity letters for participation in high school athletics and activities
Build confidence through success and positive interactions with peers
Experience being part of a team through engagement in an inclusive environment that promotes camaraderie, competition, sportsmanship, and lifelong friendships
Achieve excellence and recognition in interscholastic athletics and activities
Promote academic and social support in the classroom, hallways, and overall school environment and community

Available Sports

Badminton

Badminton is part of our fall offerings. We have both individual and Unified Sports™ team competitions.

National Resources

Flag Football

Flag Football is part of our winter offerings. Both traditional and Unified Sports™ teams are available.

National Resources

Soccer

Soccer is part of our winter offerings. We have both traditional and Unified Sports™ teams available.

National Resources

Basketball

Basketball is part of our winter sports offerings. We have traditional and Unified Sports™ teams.

National Resources

Track & Field

Athletics is part of our spring sports offerings. We have traditional track and field events and Unified Sports™ relay races.

National Resources

Volleyball

Volleyball is part of our spring offerings. Play in traditional or Unified Sports™ team competitions.

National Resources

Student Athlete Recognitions

In addition to earning Varsity letters for participation in high school athletics and activities, Unified athletes and partners across the state are recognized through the AIA Champions Awards at the end of the school year.
We recognize a Unified Athlete of the Year, a Unified Partner of the Year, and a Unified Coach of the year.

If you are interested in getting your high school involved or finding a school already participating in AIA Unified Sports, please reach out to our Unified Sports Manager, Thomas Miranda: Thomas@SpecialOlympicsArizona.org

Unified Sports: A Student Guide

Interested in learning about how to start a Special Olympics Unified Sports Program at your school? Reach out to our Unified Sports Manager, Thomas Miranda: Thomas@SpecialOlympicsArizona.org

You will soon see how beneficial this program will be to you and your friends, with and without disabilities.