SECTION IX CHAMPIONS | NFA Unified Bowling
The NFA Unified Bowling team took home the Section IX Championship title for the second year in a row. The team also took home the title for the 2023-2024 Winter Season. The team was also recognized by the New York State Public High Schools Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) with a Scholar-Athlete Team Award celebrating a cumulative GPA of 90% or higher by 75% of the team.
Earlier this year, NFA was named a National Banner Unified Champion Schools. This distinction recognized NFA as one of thirteen (13) schools in NYS to earn this prestigious honor and marks the highest level of achievement for Unified Champion Schools in the nation, recognizing their leadership in creating inclusive school communities where all students are accepted and celebrated.
In Unified Sports, teams are made up of people of similar age and ability. That makes practices more fun and games more challenging and exciting for all. Having sport in common is just one more way that preconceptions and false ideas are swept away. Newburgh Free Academy offers NFA Unified Basketball and NFA Unified Bowling, as well as a Youth Activation Committee (YAC).
Unified Champion Schools promotes social inclusion by bringing together young people with and without intellectual disabilities on sports teams (Special Olympics Unified Sports) through inclusive student clubs, together in school or community-wide initiatives, and by fostering youth leadership.
Team sports bring people together. Special Olympics Unified Sports® teams do that, too and much more. About 1.4 million people worldwide take part in Unified Sports, breaking down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities in a really fun way. ESPN has served as the Global Presenting Sponsor of Special Olympics Unified Sports since 2013, supporting the growth and expansion of this program that empowers individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to engage through the power of sports.
Special Olympics is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences. Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
Local media coverage about the season:
Newburgh Schools - February 20, 2025 - 2025 NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team Award Recognition
Mid Hudson Times - February 5, 2025 - Goldbacks extend win streak with dominant performances
Mid Hudson Times - February 3, 2025 - NFA Recognized as National Banner Unified Champion Schools
Newburgh Schools - October 17, 2024 - NFA Named National Banner Unified Champion Schools
Newburgh Schools - PHOTOS | NFA Unified Bowling
The NFA Unified Bowling Team is coached by Head coaches Sandy Griffiths and Christy Puleo.
Photo provided by Ms. Sandy Griffiths.
ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!
