“IT’S BECOMING A SIGNIFICANT PART OF BOTH
COMMUNITIES. IT’S UNIFYING OUR SCHOOLS AND
WE BOTH WANT THAT TO CONTINUE.”
For schools looking to start their own Unified Bocce
Ball team, Gould believes, “It could work at any high
school that has a population comprised of students
with qualifying special education needs and their
general ed peers.”
For institutions that aren’t as fortunate to have
a special education school located within their
campus, Gould recommends expanding inclusive
programming as a starting point. “As administrators
explore more inclusion in our high school programs,
then more teams can be developed. That’s the key.”
Since their first match against Souderton Area High
School, the Carroll/St. Katherine team has played
four more competitions including the Montgomery
County Regional Championships—which they won!
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Although other competitions still lie ahead, the
schools already feel like winners. “There has been
so much positive feedback from the players on the
team, the parents who have been involved, and the
faculty who come to games,” recalls Coach Scanlan.
“It’s honestly been a really rewarding experience for
me and everyone involved—the players, the parents,
the coaches, the fans, everybody.”
Based on the mounting interest, Archbishop Carroll
is already planning on expanding the program to
include two teams next year.
“I’m surprised and delighted that people are already
asking about next year and planning to join,” says
Scanlan. “It’s becoming a significant part of both
communities. It’s unifying our schools and we both
want that to continue.”