Newtown’s Unified Sports soccer players practiced and competed in games throughout the fall season. The special needs athletes will bring their skills and enjoyment indoors for basketball season next.

“It’s such an opportunity for these children to have a team, be on a team — and be cheered on,” said Jane McGrath, a volunteer with Newtown’s Unified Sports program, while at the Bunnell Unified Sports Soccer Tournament in Stratford, this fall.

“It’s really fun because you get to meet new people and experience new things,” said Unified Sports partner Izzy Mawdsley, who runs track and field and participates in the color guard at Newtown High when she’s not assisting her peers.

Diane DeStefano, a special education teacher in Stratford for 20 years, started Bunnell’s program and, along with Jerry Mucci, wrote the Unified Sports rules and have devoted a lot of time and energy into giving special needs athletes a chance to compete because of how rewarding it is for the athletes, as well as for the partners who assist them.

“The friendships that develop, which you now see in the halls of the schools, I think that’s really one of the most positive things of Unified Sports,” said DeStefano, who helps coach the athletes.