The first Unified Soccer game resulted in a loss for the team, but ultimately, it was both a learning and fun experience for the athletes and the coaches.
Unified sports are a combination of students in the general education program training with those in special education to build teamwork skills, to make strong connections, and to unify everyone as one.
Assistant coach on the Hollis-Brookline Unified Soccer team, Annie Faucher, is sad about her team’s loss, but is ready for their next game. She is going into the next game with a bright outlook. “We learned so much as a team and how losing was sad, but I also think it made our team stronger and closer. They just showed how strong they are,” said Faucher.Faucher also cannot wait to help and watch her team improve, so they can be prepared for their next game. With the help of the partners, leadership of the athletes, and ambition shown by all, Faucher has a positive mindset going into their next set of games.
The Unified Soccer team, and all other Unified sports, is a welcoming place where everyone can feel accepted with no judgment and no pressure to win (even though everyone wants to win). People tend to enjoy their experiences more when they feel like they belong, so you will see everyone thriving in this sport, especially during their games.
Athlete Kiyra Weaver-Bartis loves “making new friends and socializing” on her team, and of course, she is “most excited to win and have fun with my friends” she said. Weaver-Bartis too has high hopes to gain a win at their upcoming game.
Partner athlete Cassidy Krivis ‘25 also described her favorite part about being on the team as having fun with the athletes, cheering them on, and helping them. However, Krivis’s goal for her team approaching their upcoming game is “to win. To do good. And even if we don’t do good, to have fun,” said Krivis.
The Unified team describes themselves as being a wonderful group of students in a very fun and relaxed environment. Everyone still wants to win, but even when they do not, you still continue to see everyone cheering each other on. It is the perfect opportunity to learn about leadership in a fun and inspiring way.
You can find the HB unified soccer team competing against the Varsity Girls Soccer team for a scrimmage on Monday 10/16 on the HB turf field. The Unified Team is ending their season with a 2-2 record.
