Standing on the sidelines of any Special Olympics Jamaica match at the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup, one could hear cheers from their small but mighty section of supporters, who flew halfway across the globe to cheer on their team.
The fans have a lot to cheer about as Special Olympics Jamaica’s athletes and Unified partners showcase quick footwork, agility and speed in each match. Watching them, it’s clear the team has practiced together for years to be as cohesive as they are. They understand each other and are able to make plays that other teams only dream of.
The team practices every Saturday with many athletes and Unified partners traveling several hours to the city of Kingston. Head Coach Shane Richards shared that it’s important for the team to practice together weekly to have a “united bond and team chemistry.” Richards is a physical education teacher and coach and has been involved in the Special Olympics movement for over 30 years in Jamaica.
The coaches aren’t the only ones who see the value in a cohesive Unified team. Toney James, a Unified partner, explained that the Unified team “brings people together, no matter their abilities. I enjoy learning new skills, supporting my teammates and being part of a team where everyone is included and valued.” When asked how playing on a Unified football (soccer) team has changed him, James shared, “It has taught me to include everyone, work together and respect people for who they are, because that one love you show sometimes means a lot more to them than you think.”
After the first match, the fans may have noticed Special Olympics Jamaica’s change in goalkeeper. Oryan Williams stepped into the starting position when his teammate was injured in the first game. This isn’t Williams’s first time competing on such a level though. Like many, he’s been with the team for years and even competed in the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin where SO Jamaica won gold in football.
As he prepared to take over in the net, Coach Richards told the 21-year-old that he must believe in himself, a message Richards has been sharing with Williams for quite some time. Williams joined Richard’s community team in 2022 and his skills and confidence have grown ever since.
When asked if Williams is nervous to play goalkeeper at the UFWC, he says no because as Coach Richards said, “Let’s do this, this is what we do.” And what they do is right. Special Olympics Jamaica went on to win three matches with one draw, leading to the team being in the highest male division, Division 1.
The final match was against Special Olympics Libya, and both teams gave it their all with gold on the line, cheered on by their small, but mighty, squad of supporters. Ultimately, Special Olympics Jamaica would fall to Special Olympics Libya, 3-1, bringing the silver medal back home. Although they had higher expectations for themselves, the young men proved that the greater victory is demonstrating inclusion on a global stage. The team will head back to Jamaica, where they will continue training weekly to prepare for their next competition at the Caribbean Beach Games this fall.
Without a doubt, they will continue to support and encourage each other, serving as a powerful example of inclusion.
