The team earned the title of state-runner-ups at the first NJSIAA unified soccer showcase game in history.
As the population grows at Moorestown High School, it has remained important to the administration to provide the same opportunities for students with and without special needs. As a result, this past year Principal Andrew Seibel and Director of Special Education David Tate applied for a grant to allow the school to form it’s first unified soccer program.
Unified sports were established with the purpose of joining people with and without intellectual disabilities together on one team. According to the Special Olympics’ website, it was inspired by the simple principle, “training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.”
In its first year, MHS had eight students with special needs, referred to as “athletes,” and four students without special needs, called ”partners,” on the team. During a game, each team was required to maintain a two-to-three ratio with two partners and three athletes on the field at a time.
Together, the participating MHS students played in the Shriver Cup Special Olympics tournament on Sunday, Oct. 30 and competed against three teams, winning two games. MHS finished in third place out of seven teams, and the participating Quakers earned bronze medals on stage at the closing ceremony.
After the Shriver Cup games, the team was selected as one of two teams to play in the first NJSIAA unified soccer showcase game in history on Sunday, Nov. 13 at Kean University in Union. The game took place between the two non-public state championship games at 3 p.m., and after a hard fought battle, MHS lost, 6–4, and earned the title of state runner-ups.
“The best part of being a part of this team was seeing my students socialize and work with their peers. The coaches and I had no idea what to expect in the beginning, but we couldn’t be more proud of the outcome,” said Brittany Shields, one of three special education teachers at the high school. “The students learned new skills, showed progress from beginning to end and gained friendships they may not have gained without this program.”
Shields assumed a coaching position on the team after learning of the team’s development from Seibel and Tate. Having had a strong background in soccer, playing at Cabrini University and coaching at other schools, she was excited to use her skills and see her students participate in an activity outside the classroom.
“I believe my students took away the feeling of accomplishment and at least one new friend. They are excited to socialize when they see their teammates in the hallways. This is a task that does not always come easy,” Shields said.
To commemorate the hard work of the athletes and partners that took part in the unified soccer team, Seibel, who was also one of the team’s coaches, gathered the students at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15 to hand out state runner-up certificates to the students and reflect on the season.
He told the board and attendees that at the Shriver Cup, MHS had by far the largest support network at the event. He referred to the fans and supporters as a “sea of grey,” and he individually acknowledged each participant who was present.
“This was an incredible season. We started with the goal of just getting kids outside to have some fun and ended as a team of friends,” Seibel said. “As the goal of unified sports and Special Olympics states, every one of our players had meaningful participation. I can’t wait until next season.”
Hoping to continue this program and rid students of any preconceptions and false ideas surrounding special needs students, the school plans to participate in unified soccer again next year, better prepared and more determined to succeed. Additionally, students are being invited to sign up for the next, new MHS unified sport, bowling. The information regarding unified bowling is sent through the high school’s daily bulletin. If parents or community members have questions about unified sports, they can contact Seibel by calling the high school at (856) 778–6610.
“I would like to extend my congratulations to each of our high school students who were involved with the inaugural unified soccer championship game,” Kathy Goldenberg, president of the Board of Education, said. “Having our Moorestown students both participate, as well as result, in such a successful achievement certainly makes all of our school community proud. [This program] is a wonderful partnership of high schools across our state, NJSIAA and Special Olympics to bring this new opportunity forward to our students.”
