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Archive for BORP Youth Sports

BORP’s youth Sharks Sled Hockey Team compete at the 2018 Disabled Hockey Festival

By Trooper Johnson on April 20, 2018 1 Comments

Last week BORP’s youth sled hockey team, the Sharks Sled Hockey, were in Chicago for the 2018 Disabled Hockey Festival. Last year the Sharks debuted at the tournament by winning first place in their division and coming home with a national championship, so excitement was high as the team headed to the Windy City.

The Sharks Sled Hockey team had a great opening game against the Colorado Avalanche Youth Sled Hockey team. The BORP youth won 10-0, with BORP’s Garnett Silver-Hall scoring four goals. In their second game the Sharks faced Cincinnati and Zach Nazareno, one of BORP’s youngest players, scored four goals leading the team to another win, 8-0. The team went on to finish pool play undefeated after a 3-1 win against the Chicago Thunder and advanced to the semi-finals.

In semi-finals the Sharks Sled Hockey team defeated Chicago Wings of Steel, 5-2 and prepared to face Pittsburg Penguins. The Sharks played hard in the final game for the Youth C Division Championship and ended up losing 2-1 and finishing second place in the tournament.

The Disabled Hockey Festival was an incredible experience for the BORP youth and we would like to thank Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation, the Oakland Ice Center Operated by Sharks Ice, the Sharks Foundation, and the many BORP supporters who made this possible.

Categories : BORP Youth Sports, sled-hockey

Tags : Adaptive Sports, borp, Disability, San Jose Sharks, Sled Hockey, Trooper Johnson

BORP hosts the NWBA Junior West Coast Conference Championship Tournament at Stanford University

By Betsy Dorsett on March 22, 2018 No Comments

BORP Jr. Road Warrior Ella Rodriguez at the 2018 NWBA Junior Division West Coast Conference Championship Tournament

Image courtesy of Scot Goodman

BORP hosted the 2018 NWBA Junior Division West Coast Conference Championship Tournament at the Arillaga Recreation Center on the campus of Stanford University on March 3-4. The tournament played host to a total of nine teams, including teams from Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, and California. There were a total of 14 competitive games and two additional games, a “Girls Game” and an “All-Star Game” played during the weekend. The Utah Rush defeated the team from ParaSport Spokane to win the Championship and secure their bid into the National Tournament that will take place in April.

The Jr. Road Warriors finished 7th in the conference and even though the team won this tournament last year, this has bee a rebuilding season for the team.

Click here to see more photos from the tournament take by Scot Goodman.

It was great to be on Stanford’s campus for the tournament. We have a new partnership with the Young Athletes Academy Program at Stanford’s Children’s Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center. This new relationship will enable BORP athletes to access the following services: sports medicine education (lectures on a wide range of topics), pre-season health assessments, access to “Ask a Nurse” program, and Injury/illness prevention programs.

Categories : BORP Youth Sports, Uncategorized, youth-wheelchair-basketball

Farewell and Thank You to BORP Driver, Joe Melancon! +Meet BORP’s New Drivers

By Sarah-Dawn Smith on February 15, 2018 No Comments

Joe behind the wheel of the BORP Bus

Everyone here at BORP wishes to express our gratitude for Joe Melancon, our BORP bus driver who retired at the end of 2017. Joe safely transported program participants for many years. He applied his knowledge of Bay Area backroads, highways and byways to ensure the best route possible for BORP adventures. The youth enjoyed talking to Joe about school, music, sports, and life goals during their shuttles. Joe’s cheerful nature, story sharing, and bonus tour guiding will be sorely missed! We hope to see him at BORP functions this year and possibly riding at the Cycling Center.

Meet our new part-time BORP bus drivers:

We welcome Michael Connor to the BORP team! He has experience working in the nonprofit sector and with youth and adults with physical disabilities. He enjoys the outdoors, driving, and has been a great driver and support on outings.

We welcome Mahasin Musawwir to the BORP team! She has experience working with youth and seniors with physical disabilities and loves the community that BORP serves. She is excited to share her excellent driving skills with the youth and adult program participants.

Categories : adventures-and-outings, BORP Cycling, BORP General Interest, BORP Transportation, BORP Youth Sports

Basketball Season Underway for BORP Youth

By Betsy Dorsett on December 14, 2017 No Comments

The Jr Road Warriors (group shot) before playing at Oracle Arena

The BORP kids have had a great couple of months as they have prepared for the beginning of the season. The kids were able to play a pre-game scrimmage at the Warriors game on Nov. 24, just before the Warriors took on the Chicago Bulls at Oracle Arena. After a few nervous minutes on the court, Ben Thornton took over and ran the court like a pro. Cutting through the defense he was able to score at will. Ella Rodriguez settled down to start hitting her outside shot and kept the scrimmage exciting.

Thanks to everyone that supported the event by purchasing tickets to the game.

The Varsity team went on to open their season at the Western Regional Tournament in Phoenix, AZ. The team is in a rebuilding year, having lost several of their starters from last year, and are in a position where all the kids are having to understand new roles within the team. The kids had a rough tournament, going 0-5 on the weekend, but were able to get better each game and really start working with each other much better. Only five players made the trip, which meant that there were no substitutions or breaks for the kids. As much as it is never fun to lose, the team was amazing at how they continued to work their butts off through the weekend. They played until they dropped and at the end of the day they pretty much passed out on the bus.

It was a great trip, even with the losing record, and the team is already working hard to prepare for the next tournaments in January.

Categories : BORP General Interest, BORP Youth Sports, youth-wheelchair-basketball

How to Raise Over $700 for Your Revolution Ride in a Day

By Betsy Dorsett on August 23, 2017 No Comments

We’ve been happily giving away these nifty BORP hats every Tuesday to the Revolution rider who raises the most money that week, but recently something unexpected happened.

Annie Kaferle registered for the Revolution on Monday afternoon. And by the time we were calculating the winner of the week’s hat giveaway, she was squarely in the lead. When the contest officially ended at noon on Tuesday, Annie had raised over $700. In less than 24 hours.

Here’s Annie’s secret to raising over $700 in under 24 hours

“I sent an e-mail to my friends and family with the link in it – riffing on what BORP provided with a little personal blurb about why I chose to support BORP and then I also posted a similar link on Facebook for people to donate directly. I have to say, I think the more you facilitate donating (i.e. adding a hyperlink) the easier it is for people to donate – and quickly! I’m pretty lucky to have such generous friends and family that are willing to donate to a cause that I am interested in!”

Image of hand cyclist and standard cyclist riding in the Rev. Text over image reads "Why I Ride the REV ... because 84% of all BORP participants report an increased ability to lead an active lifestyle."

Click here to download images like this one to share on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Give it a try. (You, too, could win a hat and help support BORP at the same time!)

If you haven’t registered for the 15th Annual BORP Revolution Ride & Festival yet or haven’t started fundraising, don’t worry. There’s still time to meet and exceed the $400 minimum fundraising requirement.

Try personalizing the templates we provide, like Annie did, with your own reasons for supporting BORP and sending it to your friends, family, and coworkers. Be sure to include the link to your personal or team page.

You can also post something similar, including the link to your fundraising page and your reasons for getting involved with BORP and riding in the Revolution, to your Facebook page.

Give it a try! You may be surprised by how much your friends and family want to support you and care about the causes that you’re committed to! Plus, we’re giving a BORP hat to this week’s top TWO fundraisers, and you could win! (All donations made between Tuesday, August 22 and Tuesday, August 29 at noon will count toward the contest. Winners will be notified on Tuesday, August 29.)

More Fundraising Resources:

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Categories : Adaptive Cycling, adult-wheelchair-basketball, BORP Adult Sports, BORP Cycling, BORP Fitness, BORP General Interest, BORP Youth Sports, power-soccer, revolution

Tags : Adaptive cycling, Adaptive Sports, borp, BORP basketball, BORP Jr. Road Warriors, BORP Power Soccer, BORP Revolution, Cycling, Disability, goalball, handcycling, Jr. Road Warriors, Power Soccer, Rev, Revolution, wheelchair basketball

Best BORP Basketball Camp Ever

By Trooper Johnson on August 15, 2017 No Comments

We held the BORP Basketball Camp July 17-23 at James Kenney. During the week we had 10 kids attend the camp with seven of the kids staying overnight. The camp includes a combination of morning conditioning, afternoon basketball, and evening social time for the kids.

During the week the kids pushed 18 miles during their conditioning workouts, including their push across the Bay Bridge. They played basketball for 24 hours on the court which included a mix of sport specific skills instruction and scrimmages. On the final day of the camp, they visited the Cycle center for a seven-mile ride before heading to the gym for four hours of basketball, followed by an hour on the ice for a skating session.

In addition to the kids attending the camp, Christie Levine and James Bohnett dropped in to talk to the kids and run some of their favorite college drills.

It was the best camp ever.

See more pictures on Facebook

Categories : Adaptive Cycling, BORP Cycling, BORP Fitness, BORP General Interest, BORP Transportation, BORP Youth Sports, sled-hockey, youth-wheelchair-basketball

BORP Youth at the 2017 Angel City Games

By Trooper Johnson on June 28, 2017 No Comments

The 2017 Angel City Games were held June 22-25 in Los Angeles at the beautiful campus of UCLA. Several BORP athletes went down to compete in the event, which combined sport-specific clinics and competitions throughout the weekend. All sports are Paralympic sports and include opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities or visual impairments to participate.

The BORP youth post for a picture on the track at the 2017 Angel City Games

The weekend kicked off with an Archery clinic on Drake Field with Paralympic Gold Medalist, Jeff Fabry providing instruction.

BORP youth athlete Garnett Silver-Hall practices his aim at the Angel City Games archery clinic

Additional clinics through the weekend included wheelchair basketball, tennis, swimming, track & field, and a fun zone.

As part of the event, there was a 3-on-3 wheelchair basketball tournament including teams of players from around the country. BORP entered a team which included me and any kids that were not in sports clinics at the time of the games. The kids played incredibly well and advanced to the semi-finals before being knocked out. What was so impressive was that the kids were playing against adult players and outplaying them.

The kids also played in a game against kids from southern CA in the annual Jr.’s game. The Jr. Road Warriors struggled early but got on track when Ella and Isaiah started running the pick & roll to perfection.

BORP’s Jr. Road Warriors playing basketball at the 2017 Angel City Games

There was a Celebrity Wheelchair Basketball Game with local celebrities playing in wheelchairs. It was the 3rd annual event and as always, it was a blast.

On the track, Ella, Zach, and Isaiah tore it up. Isaiah raced for a personal best in the 200M. Zach was 5th in the 60M, and 4th in the 100 and first in the shot put. He also competed in the long jump. Ella was the queen of the track. She was 1st in the 60M, 2nd in the 100M, 1st in the 200M, 1st in Discus, 1st in Shot Put, and set a National Record in Javelin. All that and her best sport is still basketball!

Ella, who owned track and field at the 2017 Angel City Games, poses with her many ribbons and medals

Ella, who was the queen of the track at the 2017 Angel City Games, poses with her many ribbons and medals

The kids had an absolute blast and I believe Eyan personally met every single person that attended. He even got up on stage and led some of the workout activities.

This was absolutely the best Angel City Games so far.

Eyan at the archery clinic on Drake Field with Paralympic Gold Medalist, Jeff Fabry at the Angel City Games

Ella aiming for the target during the archery clinic

Isaiah racing on the track during the Angel City Games

Ella racing on the track during the Angel City Games

Ella running on the track during the Angel City Games

Categories : BORP Fitness, BORP General Interest, BORP Youth Sports, fitness, junior-adventures, youth-wheelchair-basketball

Tags : Adaptive Sports, Angel City Games, borp, BORP basketball, BORP Jr. Road Warriors, Disability, Jr. Road Warriors, paralympics, wheelchair basketball

Congratulations to the BORP Crushers, Presidents Cup Power Soccer Champs!

By Chris Finn on June 20, 2017 No Comments

BORP Crushers take home the Presidents Cup Championship Trophy

The BORP Crushers and Shockers went to Indianapolis from June 16-18 to compete in the US Power Soccer Association MK Battery National Tournament. Both teams were in the Presidents Cup Conference, which is the third of the three conference competing at the tournament. The tournament organizers put the teams in different pools so that they would not play each other until possibly during the finals and I was hoping for a BORP-vs-BORP finish.

The Crushers got off to a slow start compared to their usual performance, mostly because several players on the team had had surgeries during the year that affected their ability to practice for most of the season. They came away with a win the first game but it didn’t instill the most confidence. Luckily, as the tournament went on, they improved in their individual and team play while increasing the margin of goals they won by with each game within their pool.

The Shockers played hard in each game, playing against teams in their pool that had much more experienced. They also improved with each game and played with tremendous heart, finishing the last game in pool play with a 7-0 win. At the half during the last game we were ahead 2-0 and during halftime, one of the player’s dads came over to me to let me know that there would most likely be a three-way tie in the Shocker’s pool. This meant a tie-breaker of goal differential (or most goals scored throughout the games) would break that tie. So, going into the second-half we started scoring goals two minutes in and ended up winning 7-0, giving us one goal more than the two other teams and put us in third place out of five.

Entering the quarter finals I had to decide was which BORP team to coach because the Crushers were playing in one quarter final game and the Shockers were playing in another at the same time. Because the Crushers were ranked higher, I left my trusty assistant coaches, Bill and Travis, to coach them while I coached the Shockers.

The Crushers anticipated crushing the Tidewater Piranhas but with ten minutes left to go, they were only up 1-0 and seemed to have a little bit of nerves. The other team scored a goal to tie it up which seemed to motivate the players and they went on to win 6-1.

Meanwhile the Shockers were playing the second ranked team from the other pool and were in a tight battle at halftime with the score at 1-1. The team had many opportunities to score but were not able to finish and execute to go ahead. In the second half, the NEP Wildcats had a few breakaways, making several goals to bring the score to 4-1. BORP scored a last-minute goal to make the score 4-2. Even though we lost, the team felt good about their effort but it ruined the chance of having a BORP-BORP final.

The Shockers won their next two games in heated battles and back and forth play, eventually beating the Tidewater Piranhas 4-2. The tide went out on the Piranhas playing the BORP teams and the Shockers finished in 5th place out of ten teams.

The Crushers went on to easily win their semi-final game and faced the NEP Wildcats who beat the Shockers in the final, so they were out to take BORP revenge. BORP went up 2-1 at half-time and felt good about how they were playing and eventually went on to win 4-1 with great execution on set plays by Jake Bath, who scored directly from a corner kick. And Josh Burger received a corner kick pass from Calum Cain, putting it right past the goalie in the corner of the goal.

Both teams competed hard and were extremely excited about the results. Ian Kinmont from the Shockers and Calum Cain from the Crushers were selected for the Presidents Cup all-tournament team. Because they finished first, the Crushers will now move up to the Champions Cup Conference and hope to repeat their success next year. The Shockers, gained valuable experience this year and will hopefully be able to compete for that first place trophy next year to follow in the Crushers footsteps.

Many thanks to all the sponsors and donors who supported us on our journey, especially the Challenged Athletes Foundation who supported several of the players with grants and everyone who supported and came out to the Poker Slam back in February. And big thanks to all the family and support staff for making the trip fun, exciting and memorable for all.

Go BORP!

Crushers Players
Milo Balcziunas
Jake Bath
Josh Burger
Calum Cain (made all tournament team)
John Madigan
Cosmo Rudd
Kayvan Zahiri

Crushers Staff
Chris Finn – Head Coach
William Cain – Assistant Coach
Travis Bath – Assistant Coach
John Madigan – Assistant Coach
Jonathan Newman – Team Manager

Shockers Players
April Bryant
Ariana Dindzans
Stephen Dykstra
Talia Geliebter
Ian Kinmont (made all tournament team)
Margaret Mele
Ruby Shemaria

Shockers Staff
Chris Finn – Head Coach
Aleksandr Dindzans – Assistant Coach
John Madigan – Assistant Coach
Jonathan Newman – Team Manager

Congratulations to all the Power Soccer players, coaches and staff! And thank you to the families and friends who made the trip to cheer on BORP!

Categories : BORP Adult Sports, BORP General Interest, BORP Youth Sports, power-soccer, Uncategorized

Tags : Adaptive Sports, borp, BORP Power Soccer, Power Soccer

BORP Sled Hockey Team Wins Championship at the 2017 Disabled Hockey Festival

By Betsy Dorsett on April 10, 2017 1 Comments

This weekend, USA Hockey hosted the 2017 Disabled Hockey Festival in San Jose. Over 60 teams in ten divisions competed over four days of competition. BORP’s youth team, the Sharks Sled Hockey team faced off in the Youth – C Division in their first formal competition of this kind. The kids started with a 6-1 victory over San Diego to set the tone for the tournament. Garnett Silver-Hall used his speed on both ends of the ice to control the tempo, scoring his first hat trick (3 goals) in his young career. Eyan Gilder played great in goal and only allowed a fluke goal when he tried to clear the puck and it hit his own sled and banked in.

The Sharks Sled Hockey Team at the 2017 Disabled Hockey Festival

The Sharks Sled Hockey Team playing at the 2017 Disabled Hockey Festival

The next game would be a bigger test for the team. The Hornets from Chicago were a huge team with a ton of speed and great hockey sense. The Sharks outworked them in the corners and took advantage of defensive breakdowns by the Hornets. Garnett started the team off with two goals in the first period, with Parker Berry adding one more before the end of the period. The Hornets came back to get a goal in the 2nd period, but could not get another one past Eyan. Jacob Ramirez got one more in the 3rd period, and Ben Thornton and Thomas played great defense to secure a 4-1 victory.

Sharks at the 2017 Disabled Hockey Festival in San Jose, CA

The sharks huddle with coach Trooper Johnson

The next game would decide if the Sharks would advance to the finals. The team faced an incredibly well coached team from Wisconsin, with an very fast, disciplined team. The teams both played great defense in the first period and shut each other down. In the 2nd period, Wisconsin got on track and took a 2-0 lead before the Sharks could get on the board. Garnett was able to get one past the goalie midway through the period to cut the lead to a single goal. The Sharks continued to push the pace but could not get anything past their veteran goalie. Finally, midway through the third period Garnett was able to tie the game with an assist from Thomas Giovanola. Thomas is the smallest and youngest player on the team at only 10 years old. He had been skating his heart out and made the perfect pass up the boards to break Garnett free. During the last part of the 3rd period, the Sharks swarmed the Skeeters from Wisconsin, but the goalie would not let anything past him and the game ended in a tie, requiring a shootout. During the shootout, Eyan built a wall, stopping the first two shooters. Garnett was stopped by the Skeeter’s goalie and our 2nd shooter was up. Thomas took his time on the approach and gave the goalie time to overthink things. Thomas placed the puck perfectly in the left corner and the goalie could not reach it, giving the Sharks the lead in the shootout. In the final shot, Eyan adjusted perfectly and took the shot in the ribs to keep the puck out of the net, giving the Sharks the win and sending them to the Championship game.

Thomas heads back to the bench after making a penalty shot, putting the Sharks in the lead

The Championship game would be a rematch between the Sharks and the Chicago Hornets. A tough, well played first period left the game at 0-0. Jacob Ramirez and Ben Thornton played incredible defense, limiting and chances for the Hornets to score. Parker, Thomas and Garnett forced the action on the offensive end but their goalie played great and stopped all our chances.

Garnet on the ice at the 2017 Disabled Hockey Festival

“Garnett Silver-Hall led his team, the Sharks Sled Hockey team to the 2017 USA Hockey Disabled Hockey Festival’s Youth C, Championship. He led all kids in his division in scoring, and more importantly, he took a great step in becoming a leader.” – Coach Trooper Johnson

In the 2nd period, Garnett took over. Using his speed to blow past the defense on the left side, Garnett curled back up in front of the net and finally put one past the goalie to get the Sharks the lead. Off the face off, Garnett got the puck to Parker and attacked the left side again. Parker made a perfect pass to get the puck back up to Garnett and he blew past the defense again and got his 2nd goal of the period. Garnett added one more goal in the 2nd to get his 2nd hat trick of the tournament off another assist from Parker.

Jacob, Ben, and Eyan shut down the defensive end of the ice and Thomas made some great plays on both ends of the ice.

With this victory, the Sharks Sled Hockey team secured the 2017 USA Hockey, Disabled Hockey Festival Youth C Division National Champion title.

Congratulations to Garnett Silver-Hall, Thomas Giovanola, Parker Berry, Jacob Ramirez, Ben Thornton, and Eyan (the wall) Gilder for an amazing weekend. Thanks to all the parents that helped with all the gear, shuffling kids, and more.

Next year we go to Chicago to defend the title!!

Categories : BORP Youth Sports, sled-hockey

Tags : Adaptive Sports, borp, Disability, Sled Hockey, Sledge hockey, Trooper Johnson

Jr. Road Warriors Win West Coast Conference Championship

By Betsy Dorsett on March 8, 2017 No Comments

CONTACT:
Trooper Johnson
Youth Sports Program Coordinator
BORP (Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program)
(510) 849-4663 x1305, (510) 407-0014 (c)
trooper@borp.org
NWBA High Performance Committee
Head Coach, USA Women’s National Team

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 8, 2017

Bay Area Youth Win West Coast Conference Championship

“This team has practiced and played hard all season and have come
together to show incredible teamwork and dedication.
They are ready and excited for Nationals.”
– Coach Trooper Johnson

BORP Jr Road Warriors, Western Conference Championship

BORP Jr. Road Warriors with their trophy after winning the West Coast Conference Championship in Denver, CO.

BORP Jr Road Warrior, Stephen, hugs the team's Western Conference Championship Trophy

One of my favorite photos from the trip. The new kid on the block. Stephen never knew there would be sports opportunities for him because of his disability and had no idea there were organizations like the Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP) that provide these opportunities for kids like him. After his team, the Jr. Road Warriors won the West Coast Conference Championship Tournament in Denver this past weekend you could see how much it meant every time he grabbed the trophy. His face just lit up and he just kept hugging it. It was just one small step in the team’s journey, but a huge leap in his life.
-Coach Trooper Johnson

The Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program’s (BORP) varsity youth wheelchair basketball team—Jr. Road Warriors—has just clinched the West Coast Conference Championship.

The BORP Jr. Road Warriors came into the tournament as the #5 seed and soundly won all four of their games over the weekend, defeating Utah for the title. The tournament was held outside Denver, CO at the Gold Crowne Fieldhouse.

Next stop: NWBA (National Wheelchair Basketball Association) Nationals March 29th-April 2nd in Louisville, KY! The NWBA will announce national and tournament rankings soon; now that the regional titles are settled.

Just last month the BORP Jr. Road Warriors competed in a regional tournament held in San Diego at the Balboa Park Municipal Gymnasium, winning 5 of their 5 games. In all of their San Diego games the team scored 50+ points and defeated their opponents by 20+ points. (Click here to read more about this tournament.)

Players on the 2017 varsity BORP Jr. Road Warriors are in middle and high school, hailing from Berkeley, Bolinas, Gilroy, Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Rosa and other Northern California cities.

Photographs available through the team’s photographer, Scott Goodman.

ABOUT
The Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP) Youth Sports Program provides sports and recreation opportunities to students with physical disabilities. Sports programs provide high caliber, competitive opportunities on par with school team sports, including prep and varsity wheelchair basketball, ice sled hockey and power soccer. BORP is based in Berkeley, CA and serves youth from all over Northern California.

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Categories : BORP General Interest, BORP Youth Sports, youth-wheelchair-basketball

Tags : Adaptive Sports, borp, BORP basketball, BORP Jr. Road Warriors, Jr. Road Warriors, NWBA, wheelchair basketball

Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP)

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