Hampton Academy Grows Unified Basketball Program In Third Year

HAMPTON, NH — Hampton Academy is expanding its Unified Basketball program for a third year, with school leaders saying the effort continues to build teamwork, physical activity, and social inclusion among students.

Superintendent Lois Costa and Principal Neal Campbell shared the update as the program grows at the school.

The Unified Basketball Program pairs students with and without disabilities on the same team. Each Unified athlete is paired with a partner who helps develop basketball fundamentals, including dribbling, passing, shooting, and the concepts of offense and defense.

The school said those partnerships create opportunities for students to build lasting connections with peers. The program is designed to give students a chance to compete, build friendships, and support one another on and off the court.

A participating student said the program also helps students meet classmates across grade levels.

“I think the great thing about Unified basketball is that it brings together students from multiple grades, so it is an opportunity to meet new people,” said one student. “It’s great to learn the basics of the game and have fun representing our school.”

Recently, Hampton Academy students took part in their first Unified Basketball Tournament in Derry. The school said Hampton Academy competed alongside teams from Gilbert H. Hood Middle School and Timberlane Middle School.

The tournament gave students a chance to connect with peers while playing basketball. The event also drew strong support from parents and other supporters, helping bring schools and communities together around inclusion.

Another participating student described the atmosphere as welcoming, saying it was “so fun to learn the basics of basketball in a fun, risk-free environment ... The people are cool, and it was fun to have success without the pressure of a traditional game.”

Costa said the program depends on students and staff who help make it work.

“We are extremely proud of all of our student-athletes, peer partners, and staff members who help make this program possible,” she said. “The dedication, enthusiasm, and support create an environment where every student feels welcome and has the opportunity to be part of a team.”

The program’s third year comes after Hampton Academy’s first appearance in the Derry tournament, marking another step in the school's continued expansion.