Blue Devil Unified Bocce Team Enjoys First Practice

Huntington’s new Unified bocce team is off the ground. The first practice on Wednesday afternoon drew a crowd of 45 players who utilized the two newly constructed bocce courts and the nearby grass areas to play.

The team’s head coach Lauren Blackburn led the practice, which is the first a series that will be held before a scrimmage meet is held with Walt Whitman and Northport. Harborfields expects to eventually join the other three teams during the spring season.

Wednesday’s practice session was also attended by Huntington Booster Club President Dave Evans and Huntington High School Principal Rochelle C. Brown. Mr. Evans is a bocce player himself and has taken an interest in the new Blue Devil team.

The team spent time learning the ins and outs of the sport, the rules and basic skills and strategies. Those experienced shared their expertise with newcomers.

Huntington now fields varsity Unified teams in three separate sports: bocce, basketball and bowling. Plans are being finalized for a Unified intramural program that will introduce several other sports to Unified athletes.

Unified sports feature Special Olympians paired with general education students who serve as teammates and assistants on the co-ed rosters.

Huntington UFSD strives to offer students the best Unified Sports program possible with the entire administration and school board firmly behind the initiative.

Wednesday afternoon’s turnout was the result of Coach Blackburn’s hard work. She tirelessly promoted the team with students and parents, developed the practice plan and she’s been discussing the October 29 scrimmage meet with her counterparts at Walt Whitman and Northport.

“Seeing the turnout and the smiles; watching the kids quickly grasp and master the rules and skills and hearing how everyone enjoyed interacting with each other was really heartwarming,” Coach Blackburn said. “We’ve talked about creating this program for some time and it’s really wonderful how our facilities department constructed two beautiful courts and how athletics acquired the equipment we need. The adjoining patio, picnic table and landscaping show how much we value this program and these kids.”