What is Unified Sports, and how do I put a Unified team together?
Rule- South Africa
- Special Olympics South Africa
- Special Olympics Sports Rules 2024
- Inclusive sport
- Intellectual disability
- Ages 8+
- 2024
- Coaches
Unified Sports teams combine athletes with intellectual disabilities and partners without intellectual disabilities, directed by a non-playing coach. A Unified team must never be made up only of people with disabilities (Sports Rules Article 1, 2024, section 14).
| Model | Make-up | Rules | Highest level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competitive | About equal numbers of athletes and partners, of similar age and ability in team sports | Official Sports Rules, unmodified | All levels, including World Games |
| Player Development | About equal numbers; abilities can differ, with stronger players helping others | Modifications allowed; ages must be similar | Programme and national level |
| Recreation | At least 25% with an intellectual disability and at least 25% without any disability | Modifications allowed | Programme and national level |
Age matching (Competitive and Player Development)
- Anyone on the team aged 8-13: no more than 3 years between youngest and oldest.
- Anyone aged 14-17: no more than 5 years.
- All 18 and over: no more than 20 years recommended.
Coaching rules
Added 22 Oct 2026