Page 78 - Revised Unified Sports Curriculum electronic version Rev. 8.1_2

 Luckily for Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver approved further research. The name
was changed from “Integrated Sports” to “Unified Sports®” and in 1989 she announced to the
world the endorsement of this new program.

CULTURAL INFLUENCES:
 Played worldwide – International Badminton World Federation formed in 1934

 Became a Commonwealth Games sport in 1966
 Became an official Olympic Games sport in 1992
 Established as an official Special Olympics sport in 1995
 Youth, high school and collegiate programs encourage both male and female participation.
 People from all socio-economic backgrounds can participate in badminton because it is an
inexpensive sport to play.

BENEFITS OF BADMINTON:
 Health Benefits
 Increase eye/hand and hand/foot coordination
 Increase cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility
 Decrease risk of diseases (heart attack, stroke, cancer, diabetes)
 Decrease stress and tension levels
 Increase energy level
 Social Benefits
 Learn concepts of teamwork
 Learn to follow rules
 Learn discipline and commitment
 Social interaction with peers and/or friends
 Enjoyment
 Travel opportunities and cultural awareness

SAFETY RULES:

Teachers/Coaches will provide adequate supervision as defined by Professional, Legal,
District, and Special Olympic Guidelines to ensure students behave properly in light of
any foreseeable dangers.

Listed below are the Guidelines:
 Misbehavior of any type must not be tolerated.
 Failure to act or improper action is grounds for liability.
 The greater the degree of danger, the higher the level of supervision should be.
 Students must never be left unattended, except in an emergency where the potential
harm is greater than the perceived risk to students. Even then, risk should be minimized
or responsibility transferred to another authorized person if the situation allows.

Points to remember:

 Teachers/Coaches should use the proper equipment and teach the athletes how to use and
perform all activities the “right” way the first time and every time.

Special Olympics Arizona (SOAZ) 2 06.01.2011
Permission from PUSD #11