A21 Young Athletes Program Future Stars Sports Day - UISD

UISD will host a Young Athletes Future Stars Sport Day on Friday, March 25, 2020 in Laredo, Tx. The event will start at 9:00 a.m.

The Young Athletes Program is a sports program designed to introduce children to the world of sports prior to Special Olympics Texas eligibility at the age of eight years old. On these dates, a Future Stars Sport Day will be held during which students under the age of 8 will demonstrate the physical activity skills they have learned during the year for the family, friends and school peers.   

For more information please contact the Area Director at 361-673-8299

What is Young Athletes?

Young Athletes is a sports play program designed to introduce children ages two to seven to the world of physical activity. Children with and without intellectual disabilities participate together, prior to and regardless of Special Olympics eligibility at age eight.

The program utilizes physical activities to develop fundamental motor tracking and eye-hand coordination play. Children build these skills by participating in specific activities on a regular basis. The program concentrates on applying the skills learned through these activities in preparation for Special Olympics or traditional sports competitions.

YAP was developed in direct response to requests from families wanting to engage their young children in physical fitness. The program is solely based on participation; there is no competition. The skills these children learn will improve all areas of their lives, including participating in future sports competitions.

What is the Focus of Young Athletes?

Students will work on skills as part of their school day. These skills may be in line with the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. One to two times a year there will be a culminating day called the Future Stars Sports Day, during which the students will demonstrate the skills they have learned for family and friends. For more information, please download our Lesson Plan Guide below.

Download Lesson Plan

Physical Activities for YAP

• Foundational skills
• Walking and running
• Balance and jumping
• Trapping and catching
• Throwing
• Striking
• Kicking
• Advanced skills

Children will learn these skills through a series of activities like bunny hop, obstacle course and bean bag throw.

Realizing the Bright Future of Your Child with an Intellectual Disability

This guide was written to help you step into the new world you will be experiencing. This takes time and hopefully this guide will be useful along your new path. You will receive information about:

• how your child got the diagnosis
• how to cope with the feelings you might be experiencing
• steps to finding out possible causes for your child’s intellectual disability
• finding the right therapies and supports for your child
• resources that you may want to use, and a glimpse of the future

Download this Guide for New Parents

Who Benefits?

Benefits to Athletes

• Socialization: the YAP is a foundation for Project UNIFY - Meet in the Middle, a school-based program that promotes acceptance and inclusion between students with and without intellectual disabilities.  To learn more, visit www.mimtexas.org.
• Coordination and strength building
• Awareness of self worth and self confidence
• Introduction to sports and preparation for competitions when they are of age

Benefits for Families

• Introduces families to the resources and support available within Special Olympics
• Offers families the opportunity to share in the success of their future athlete