On April 30, Rocky View Schools (RVS) hosted a Unified Sports Jamboree at Genesis Place in Airdrie. This fun event saw students across the division converge for a day of sports, friendly competition and peer engagement.

“Sports and games provide an important way for students to get active and develop life skills, whether they are taking part in a school’s athletics teams, enjoying activities in a physical education class or playing during recess,” said Superintendent of Schools, Greg Luterbach. “Events like the Unified Sports jamboree provide a structured opportunity for students who may not otherwise participate in sports to take part in athletic activities that build a sense of belonging, create meaningful interactions with others and celebrate the value of every student.”

Offered in partnership with Special Olympics Alberta, Unified Sports jamborees promote social inclusion through sport by joining people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. Athletes are paired for the day with a neurotypical student from their school who is the same age. These teams work together throughout the day as they play a number of inclusive sports.

During a full day of activities at RVS’ jamboree, teams of students from seven schools in Airdrie, Beiseker, Chestermere, Cochrane, Langdon and Rocky View County faced off as they played bocce ball, cornhole, floorball and turbo javelin challenges. A total of 128 students participated in the jamboree.

By taking part in the Unified Sports Jamboree, students who don’t normally compete in sports get to experience some of the aspects of athletics, including teamwork, fair play, cooperation and communication. They also grow in their confidence and independence while strengthening their motor skills. For all involved, the event emphasized that everyone is an equal contributor on and off the field.

“RVS is committed to inclusive education, and offering learning environments and opportunities that are inclusive, engaging and healthy for every student is one of the goals of our Education Plan,” said Luterbach. “We’re happy that by offering this Unified Sports Jamboree, students from across our division could connect with friends from school, meet new friends from other communities and have some fun along the way.”

The jamboree also provided the opportunity for RVS middle school leadership teams from Beiseker, C.W. Perry, Kathyrn and Langdon to share their talents as leaders. They were involved in planning, designing and making team posters, athlete medals and game passports prior to the event, and actively led teams and games throughout the day. High school leadership teams from Bert Church High School and Horseshoe Crossing High School also provided their leadership skills in supporting teams and games on the day.

RVS thanks all our athletes, student partners, middle and high school leadership teams and staff who participated in the jamboree for making it a wonderful day, as well as our partners at Genesis Place and Special Olympics Alberta who provided support for the event.