Special Olympics Great Britain has piloted its Unified Champion Schools (UCS) programme in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust (YST), with a showcase event in the North East of England.
More than 40 Year 9 and 10 girls with and without intellectual disabilities came together for a Unified football competition, highlighting the power of sport to bring young people together.
The programme has seen Special Olympics GB partner with 20 YST Lead Inclusion Schools, across England, to bring together young people with and without intellectual disabilities through sport.
Unified Champion Schools® is a global Special Olympics initiative that uses sport as the foundation, as has helped to reduce bullying, challenge stereotypes, and empower young people of all abilities to take on leadership roles.
The pilot event demonstrated how Unified football can create teamwork, respect, and friendships across ability levels, with UCS now set to grow further across Great Britain.