School Requirements
To participate in Unified Sports at any level, your school should meet these requirements:
- Unified Champion School Status: All schools offering Unified Sports in any capacity—including Young Athletes, Unified Physical Education (PE), and Unified Sports—must be registered as an active Unified Champion School with SONJ. Not sure if your school is registered? Contact us at UCS@SONJ.org.
- Team Registration and Score Reporting: Schools offering interscholastic Unified Sports must register each team annually using the 2025-26 Interscholastic Unified Sports Registration Form and report competition scores.
- Coach Training: Coaches whose stipends are reimbursed through the SONJ UCS grant and/or who are participating in Unified Cups must complete required training provided. See below for more information on training opportunities.
- Monthly Reporting: Please ensure that all Unified Sports activities at your school are accurately and completely reflected in the required monthly reports.
Student Requirements
Eligibility Guidelines:
- To participate interscholastically and at the NJSIAA level, students must be able to participate independently.
- NJSIAA single-sport rules apply to NJSIAA basketball and track & field.
- Students competing in a Unified Sport may not also be a Varsity athlete in that sport.
Required Paperwork
In addition to paperwork required by the school, the following forms must be on file with SONJ for participation in in-person SONJ events (Unified Cups):
- Participant Registration Form – Both athletes and Unified partners should use this electronic form. If you don’t know your LTP or are participating only at the school level, leave that field blank.
Coaches – you will be prompted at registration to verify that your each of your participants has completed this form.
Unified Sports Coach Training
With the exception of the Class A, these trainings are required for coaches whose stipends are reimbursed by the UCS grant, but are highly encouraged for anyone coaching Unified Sports! Each training is valid for three years. The Class A is only required for coaches and assistant coaches participating in any Unified Cups.
- Under the Coaching Unified Sports blue banner, click “Please Select Your State,” choose New Jersey, and click “Order Course.” It’s free!
- Please email your completion certificate to UCS@SONJ.org
- The UCS team will be notified automatically when you pass the training.
- The UCS team will be notified automatically when you pass the training.
- Register on the Volunteer Registration Portal.
- Step 1: Create an account or sign in to your existing account. Use the following guide for assistance: General Profile Quick Guide PDF
- Step 2: Apply for your role (Unified Coach). Use the following guide for assistance: Applying for More Roles Quick Guide PDF
- Step 3: Complete or renew the requirements under your checklist.
- For questions, please email volunteer@sonj.org.