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Author Archive for Josh Thelin

2014-15 Jr. Road Warriors season ends

By Josh Thelin on April 20, 2015 1 Comments
The 2014-15 Jr. Road Warriors who traveled to Louisville, KY

The 2014-15 Jr. Road Warriors at Nationals in Louisville, KY. From left to right: Avery, Amit, Garnett, Cortney, Christie, and Daniel.

The 2014-15 wheelchair basketball season has come to an end for the Jr. Road Warriors.
The NWBA National Invitational Tournament in Louisville, KY last weekend started with high hopes and excitement for a great finish to the season.

This year, the Jr. Road Warriors had 13 kids compete during the season.  Because of illnesses, injuries, or other situations, only six kids were able to make the final trip to Kentucky.  Avery, Daniel, Garnett, Amit, Christie and Cortney would be competing during the tournament. Koda, the captain and leader of the team would miss his first tournament in six years because of a medical issue.  This created a situation where Amit and Christie had to become instantly comfortable handling the ball and the pressure.  That is not something that happens overnight.
The flight to Louisville was late, and delays getting the chairs off the plane made it even later.  By the time the kids got to the hotel it was after 2:00am, and the first game was scheduled for 8:00am.  If there is one thing that can be said for these kids is that they are extremely resilient and even though they did not get much sleep, they were up and ready for our team breakfast at 6:00am (3:00am California time!).

The 2014-15 Jr. Road Warriors have their chairs inspcted by tournament officials
The tournament was held at the Kentucky Exhibition Center in Louisville.  Inside the center, there were 12 courts laid out to host 85 teams in five divisions of competition, including 45 Junior Division teams.  Almost 900 athletes of which ~500 were kids with physical disabilities would compete throughout the weekend.  If there was ever a moment where these kids could see that they are not alone in the world and be surrounded with other kids with similar disabilities, this weekend provided it.  A sea of kids constantly pushed back and forth through the Convention Center having the time of their lives.

 

Amit and Christie balanced our scoring attack and did an admirable job accepting the pressure of handling the ball for the first time.  Christie hit some amazing shots and at times looked like the most surprised person in the gym when they fell.  Amit worked well coming off a pick hitting layups, and opened the tournament up with a 3-point shot.

 

Cortney worked her butt off throughout the tournament and had the play of the weekend when she went airborne and landed on her face.  In true Cortney style, she just smiled and laughed as her teammates got her up.
Garnett made the pass of the weekend with a backwards bounce-pass to Christie for a layup.
Daniel played incredible defense and gave every bit of energy he had each game.  I don’t think I have ever seen a kid sweat so much.
Avery had an amazing weekend.  He came in and gave us a few minutes of action each game.  He set picks for his teammates and played strong defense.  Being our youngest player at only 10 years old, Avery did an amazing job of accepting his role and matching up with kids that were 17-18 years old.
Three of our athletes played their last games with the team.  Cortney Outman, Christie Levine, and Amit Vigoda (shown L-R) will be moving on from our program, and it has been an incredible journey to have had them on the team.

Cortney, Christie, and Amit

Cortney, Christie, and Amit

Cortney will be graduating and moving to Tucson, AZ to play with the University of Arizona women’s team.  Christie will graduate and head out to the University of Texas to play on the new Movin’ Mav’s women’s team.  And Amit Vigoda will head back to Israel with his family for awhile.

 

Although this tournament did not go as hoped, it was an incredible season.  The kids competed in Phoenix, Seattle, Berkeley, and Louisville this year.  They played against teams from Alabama, Utah, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, California, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

 

Thanks to the families of the following kids for being part of this program and allowing their kids to compete: Jade, Ben, Isaiah, Koda, Ella, Matthew, Griffin, Cortney, Christie, Amit, Daniel, Garnett, Avery.

 

Also, thanks to the parents of all the kids in our program for understanding the value of sport and making the sacrifices to drive their kids to the gym every week, and providing them the opportunity to be part of something huge.

 

To all the kids that were not able to be part of the team this year, and to those kids returning next season – next season starts today!

Categories : BORP General Interest, BORP Youth Sports, youth-wheelchair-basketball
Tags : borp, Jr. Road Warriors, wheelchair basketball

“Power Play” a Kickstarter project by Misako Akimoto

By Josh Thelin on March 20, 2015 No Comments

Our friend, Misako Akimoto, a documentary photographer who had been chronicling BORP athletes for the last decade, has launched a Kickstater campaign to publish a book of her beautiful black and white photos entitled, Power Play.  The book documents three East Bay communities of disabled people (one being BORP’s athletes) of all ages who are on the move.

Jackie and her father Tom ride once a week.

Movement comes in all forms, and in many places. From a wheelchair to a sled, from the ice to the hardwood, to being out in public, movement is movement. The things we teach on the court and on the ice carry over into life skills.

In Power Play, Misako shines her unique light on the disability community. She helps us see her photography subjects as the strong, able and vibrant folks that they are.  She says, “In our society I see walls built up around groups, especially for the physical differences. Most people just don’t know much about the reality of those walled out of the community. My tool, documentary photography, is there for such cases.”

To see more of the images from Power Play, or to make a contribution, visit Misako’s Kickstarter page

Misako took her photographs over a four year period and built a touching body of work in rich black and white images to represent these worthy people, able-bodied and disabled alike.

There will be over 144 images printed in black and white, on 96 pages. The Kickstarter funding will allow Misako to realize her goal to print and distribute Power Play, allowing others to experience these remarkable people. All the photographs for the book have been taken. The book has been designed, edited, and is ready to print.  Infinity Press in San Carlos, CA, will print the book if the funding goal is met.  Minimum pledge to receive a copy of the book: $30.

 

Categories : BORP General Interest

Wheelchair Basketball Exhibition – March 19

By Josh Thelin on March 16, 2015 No Comments

The BORP All Stars adult wheelchair basketball team will take on members of the Contra Costa College (CCC) staff, student body, and Ability Club in a friendly exhibition game on March 19 at Contra Costa Community College.  The free event is a joint fundraiser for both BORP and CCC.  To donate visit: http://www.gofundme.com/2greatcauses

Whhelchair basketball players form BORP and Contra Costa College share a lugh during an exhibition game

When:

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015

Where:

CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE GYM
2600 Mission Bell Drive
San Pablo, CA 94806

With:

Live Jazz Performance by the California School for the Blind Jazz Ensemble

Concert begins at:
5:30 P.M.
Exhibition game tips off at:
7:00 P.M.
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Categories : adult-wheelchair-basketball, BORP Adult Sports, BORP General Interest, Uncategorized
Tags : BORP All Stars, Contra Costa College, fundraiser, wheelchair basketball

12th Annual BORP Hoops Classic

By Josh Thelin on March 8, 2015 No Comments

The 12th annual BORP Hoops Classic Tournament on March 14 & 15 at James Kenney Recreation Center featured some great wheelchair basketball!  Thanks to our own Scot Goodman for the fantastic photo below.  See more of Scot’s photos from this past weekend here.

Members of the BORP All Stars wheelchair baseketball team surround an opponent

Thanks to all the participants, volunteers, and fans who made the 12th Annual Hoops Classic such a success.  Check here for a tournament recap soon!

Categories : Uncategorized

the 12th Annual BORP Poker Slam was a hit

By Josh Thelin on March 2, 2015 No Comments

Thanks to all who participated, donated, volunteered and otherwise supported the Poker Slam!   It was a fun night, as always, and helped raise over $6,000 for the BORP Power Soccer Program.  Check back here for photos soon!

Grid of photos of past Poker Slams and BORP Power Soccer players

 

Categories : BORP General Interest, power-soccer
Tags : BORP Power Soccer, charity poker, Poker Slam, Texas Hold 'Em

BORP Adaptive Cycling Center re-opens March 7

By Josh Thelin on February 4, 2015 1 Comments

At long last, Winter is over for the BORP Adaptive Cycling Center!  Open hours resume on Saturday, March 7.  For more information, contact Greg Milano at the bikehouse: 510-848-2930 or email cycling @borp.org.

 

 

Categories : Adaptive Cycling, BORP Adult Sports, BORP Cycling, BORP General Interest
Tags : Adaptive cycling, Adaptive Sports, borp

BORP Hosts Power Soccer Tournament on Dec. 13

By Josh Thelin on December 9, 2014 No Comments

The BORP Bombers and BORP Shockers will host the San Jose Rockets and Sacramento Valley Flames on 12/13/14 for a Power Soccer tournament.  Games will be played at the James Kenney Recreation Center in Berkeley.  Admission is FREE and open to the public.

For more information contact Jonathan Newman at jonathan@borp.org or call (510) 849-4663 x1304.

 

Photos (c) Scot Goodman.

Categories : Uncategorized

20th Annual BORP Goalball Invitational Tournament

By Josh Thelin on November 26, 2014 No Comments

BORP will host the 20th edition of the BORP Goalball Invitational

December 6, 2014

James Kenney Recreation Center, 1720 8th Street, Berkeley.

A goalball player makes a kick save at the 19th Annual BORP Goalball Invitational
Seven teams will compete for the title in the longest running goalball tournament on the West Coast. The Sacramento River Bats led by USA Team player Joe Hamilton and coached by USA Assistant Coach Matt Boyle return to defend their title against a loaded field including many Paralympians past, present (and future).

Admission is free.

Thanks to our sponsors
CamelBak
Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue
Ikeda/Greenwood Family
Innovative Interfaces
Nakashima Fine Arts
Scot Goodman Photography
Sue Johnson, Custom Lamps and Shades,
Vision Faire Optometry
Zander Associates, Environmental Consultants,

Match Schedule on 12/6/14
9:30am: Blue Thunder v Roadrunners
10:00: A Vigorous Smiting v CAL Golden Bears
10:30: Sacramento River Bats v Breeze
11:00: Green Machines v Roadrunners
11:30: Sacramento River Bats v CAL Golden Bears
12:00pm: A Vigorous Smiting v Breeze
12:30: Blue Thunder v Green Machines
1:00: CAL Golden Bears v Breeze
1:30: LUNCH BREAK
2:00: Sacramento River Bats v A Vigorous Smiting
2:30: A 4th v B 3rd (winner advances to 4:30 game for 5th Place. Loser is done for the day.)
3:00: Semifinal 1: B 1st v A 2nd
3:30: Semifinal 2: A 1st v B 2nd
4:00: 5th Place: A 3rd v 3:00 Winner
4:30: 3rd Place: Semifinal 1 Loser v Semifinal 2 Loser
5:00: 1st Place: Semifinal 1 Winner v Semifinal 2 Winner
5:30: Awards Ceremony

For more information contact BORP Adult Sports Coordinator Jonathan Newman at jonathan@borp.org or call (510) 849-4663 ext. 1304

Categories : BORP Adult Sports, BORP General Interest, goalball
Tags : 20th Invitational, borp, goalball

2014-15 BORP Power Soccer season opens with style

By Josh Thelin on November 19, 2014 No Comments

BORP Power Soccer kicked off the home season with some glorious competition at James Kenney Recreation Center on November 15-16.  All three of BORP’s teams were in action and all three put together awesome and spirited play against rival teams from around Northern California.

 

The weekend of play was dedicated to the memory of Jerome “Pika” Durand who passed away on November 13. Pika was a long time international player and coach whose dedication to the development of the sport was instrumental in its global growth.

Players from the Nov. 15/16, 2014 Power Soccer tournament in Berkeley pose for a group photo

The BORP Shockers got Saturday started with a very efficient 3-1 win over the Kryptonite Pride (Hayward). In their second game of the day the Shockers came up against the newest team in the area, the Sac Valley Flames. The Flames showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with as they stymied repeated offensive forays of the Shockers throughout the game and forced a 0-0 tie. The Shockers attack got back in gear for their 3rd game of the day as they rolled to a 3-0 victory over the San Jose Rockets.

The scoring output for the Shockers was spearheaded by the combination of Ian Kinmont (5 goals) with 4 assists (and 1 goal) from Ruby Shemaria.

April Bryant also chipped in a nifty assist and Margaret Mele contributed strong play in goal.

 

The BORP Bombers day started with a tough first half versus the SJ Rockets and a 4 goal halftime deficit. Coach Fuller rallied the troops at halftime and a toughened defense relinquished only one goal in the second half and a 5-0 final score. While the Bombers had no goals their aggressive philosophy created several nice chances and only brilliant work in goal by the SJ keeper kept the Bombers out of the scoring column. The Bombers 2nd game against the Pride showed a reversal of halves but unfortunately a similar result (6-0). The Bombers were down only 1-0 at half but some unlucky bounces and mid-day blahs contributed to the Pride’s strong finish. Game 3 pitted the Bombers against the Flames and was a whole different story. The Bombers took a 1-0 halftime lead and after a Flame equalizer the Bombers went up 2-1 with 4 minutes left in the 2nd half. Sadly relentless pressure from the Flames resulted in 2 late goals and a 3-2 win for the Flames. Emile Perry scored both Bombers goals and Stephen Dykstra was a mainstay on the attack and on defense throughout the day. Despite the final results the Bombers showed they are on track for an exciting, productive season.

 

The BORP Crushers got into action on Sunday against the powerful San Jose Steamrollers. An end-to-end battle to the end, Jake Bath scored an opportunistic goal late for the Crushers to secure a tense 1-0 victory.

In game 2, the Crushers faced the Hollister Free Wheelers and put on a beautiful display of passing and execution and were up 4-0 at halftime.

The offensive contributions came from every player and were highlighted by a thread the needle assist by Cosmo Rudd to Milo Balcziunas for a deft finish. Other sweet goals came off the guards of Calum Cain (2 goals, 1 assist), and Stanley Kuang (1 goal, 1 assist). To Hollister’s great credit they came out with a vengeance in the 2nd half and scored 2 goals and created several opportunities for more. In the end the rotation of goalies John Madigan, Milo Balcziunas and Jake Bath was equal to the task and kept the Free Wheelers at bay to secure the 4-2 win.

 

Of special note: BORP Bomber Stephen Dykstra is an Assistant Coach for the Sac Valley Flames and his long term experience and knowledge of the game is clearly benefiting the Flames. Way to Go, Stephen!

 

OMG: Thank you to the BORP families for the wonderful lunch and refreshments for the weekend! BORP is blessed beyond words to have the support of such a dedicated, generous group of people.

 

Thanks to referees: Dan Chafey, Bill Cain, Paul Navazio, David Edward, Rich Dykstra and Luke Smith.

Thanks to volunteers: Milan Scott, Evan Robertson, Megan Gray, Meredith Haggerty, Dan Fernandez, Ian Crowne, Luke Smith, Jenna Brennan and Matthew Du.

Thanks to photographers: Joe Carrow and Scot Goodman (gallery links soon).

 

Next home games for the Bombers and Shockers will be on Dec. 13. Hope to see you there.

 

Go BORP!

Categories : Uncategorized

Buy a new car and “Share the Love” with BORP

By Josh Thelin on November 11, 2014 No Comments

The Subaru “Share the Love” Event is a national promotion that will run from Nov. 20, 2014 to Jan. 2, 2015.  Subaru of America will donate $250 to one of five charities of the customer’s choosing for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during that period.  BORP is the official (and only) local charity selected by Albany Subaru to participate.   When BORP is selected by a customer as the designated charity, Albany Subaru will supplement an additional $100 donation, for a total of $350 per Subaru sold going to BORP!  Albany Subaru’s goal is to sell or lease 50-60 cars with BORP named as the beneficiary.

To learn more join us at the Albany Subaru “Share the Love” BORP Adaptive Sports Launch Party and learn how each Subaru purchased from Albany Subaru between Nov. 2 and Jan 2, 2015 can earn BORP up to $350! Refreshments available!  RSVP now!

The "Share the Love" Albany Subaru Launch Party is Nov. 20.

Categories : BORP General Interest
Tags : borp, charity, Share the Love, Subaru
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