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01/03/2024 10:38 AMWhen it comes to Valley Unified Sports, there is not a contest or competition that Allison Connell has not conquered and mastered. Yet more importantly, she has done it while making very valuable connections with several colleagues along the way.
The Valley Regional High School senior grew up playing several sports on the diamond, the pitch, court, and even dance floor, among others. But then during her sophomore year, thanks to the referral of one of her teachers who was a unified coach, she discovered the Valley Unified Sports program–and the rest is history when it comes to Allison, and her pure passion and enjoyment of the athletic atmosphere.
“In the past, while growing up, I played soccer, T-Ball, softball, basketball, and I did dance. But I liked the idea with Unified Sports that it included multiple sports,” says Allison. “Bowling and soccer are my two favorite sports so far. Since I started playing Unified Sports, we have done soccer, basketball, cornhole, volleyball, bowling, and track and field.”
While there has been recent talk of the Summer Olympics adding flag football, Valley Unified Sports is beating them to the goal line. Allison is never apprehensive to try something new, but she will stick to her favorites in the lanes and around the box, while tracking her progress and teaming up with friends.
“This year, Unified Sports is adding flag football, which is something I have only tried a little bit,” Allison says. “I like soccer because we work together as a team. We all pass each other the ball and make sure we get a goal in the game and cheer friends on. I like bowling because it's a fun game to play with friends and to keep score, and I can see my score improve the more I play as an individual.”
As pushing yourself to be at your best and thriving can exhume an exhilarating feeling, Allison reaps true rewards from the entire communal experience by sometimes simply being a spectator and cheerleader.
“The most fun and rewarding parts of being a part of Unified Sports are being with my friends, having a great time, cheering each other on, and being part of a team,” says Allison. “ I also enjoy having fun and making friends from other schools.”
That aforementioned teacher that informed Allison about Unified Sports was Katelyn Ely. She details that Allison is as equally about helping instill new skills within her teammates as she is about giving support on the sidelines.
“Allison is an amazing student-athlete! During practice, she is always willing to help her teammates practice a new skill and encourage them to keep trying until they get it right,” says Ely. “She is one of the most supportive players on our team. At games she is positive, cheers on other teams, and helps her teammates whenever she can, both on and off the court. I can always count on her to be a team player.”
As Allison has gotten to know several students and teachers, such as Ely, in a different light, she gets to shine a beacon of leadership as a proud captain. She also serves a key role in an additional extracurricular activity inside the school.
“I get to spend more time with Coach Ely outside of the classroom, so I've gotten to know her better. I also get to spend more time with friends outside of the classroom, and have gotten to know them better this year,” Allison says. “I am happy I get to be a captain for the Unified team. I work on the CT Unified Sport Youth Action Council, referred to as YAC. It is a program through the CAS-CIAC. The group is made up of pairs from different schools with Unified Sports teams. I am also working with my friend Anna to organize an inclusion week at our school, with different activities for everybody at Valley Regional.”
Ely also notes that certain sports can really heat up Allison’s competitive fire, though she is ready & willing to step outside the box and venture into new entities.
“Allison is one of the first players I can turn to help me out. She is like a mini coach once the game starts,” Ely says. “During basketball or soccer, she is amazing at making sure all of her teammates have a chance with the ball. During track, she is willing to partner up and run a relay with a teammate. You do not want to play against her at bowling because she is amazing at it! This year she is a part of the Unified Sport Youth Action Council. During the yearly summit, she ran a photo booth with some of the other students that are a part of the group. She has really stepped out of her comfort zone to participate in these events and take a leadership role. Allison has made me a very proud coach and teacher!”
Allison’s adventures within Unified Sports have not solely been confined to the Valley campus. She earned the opportunity to take a Run to the Sun with the Warriors girls’ basketball team last March when it made the Class M State Tournament final, and showed her stuff on the floor.
“My fondest memories from Unified Sports so far are attending the competitions,” Allison says. “And another has been attending the high school basketball game at Mohegan Sun and participating in the Unified basketball game that we played at halftime.”
Regardless of where her academic endeavors and desires lead Allison, she is very certain she wants to continue to keep sports heavily entrenched within her life. It does not matter whether recreationally with family, or through intramurals down the road, Allison and sports are a match made to stand the test of time.
“I'm not currently sure what my future goals are in terms of school,” says Allison. “But I want to play Unified Sports as long as I can, and to do some of the sports outside with family and friends.”