This Summer, BlazeSports is working with a variety of excellent partners to bring you a range of fun sporting activities for children aged 6-18 with physical disabilities.  Check out all that’s on offer below!

BlazeCamp

When: May 28th – June 1st  

Where: Camp Dream, Roosevelt Institute for Rehabilitation, Warm Springs, GA

Who: Children aged 8-18 with a Physical Disability

Cost: $350

To register complete the online Interest form: http://www.blazesports.org/programs/blazecamp/

Our multisport residential summer camp will take place at the beautiful camp location in Warm springs Georgia.  Packed full of sports and activities, fun and friendship!   Limited Spaces still available.

Blaze All Stars Summer Sports Camp (Cerebral Palsy specific)

When:  June 12th, 13th, 14th 3.30pm – 5.30pm

Where: Hembree park, 850 Hembree Rd, Roswell, GA 30076

Who: Children aged 6-18 with Cerebral Palsy (ambulant or wheelchair user)

Cost: $50 / 3 day camp

Register online today:  https://blazesports.wufoo.com/forms/blaze-allstars-sports-camp-registration-form/

Come along to Hembree Park and try out a range of different sports including tennis, soccer, baseball, basketball and boccia. 

Adaptive Water Sports Days

When:  June 10th, 25th and July 30th (Leave 8am from ATL. Return 5pm)

Where: Lake Tobesofkee, Macon, GA (BlazeSports run transport from Atlanta)

Who: Children aged 6-18 with physical disabilities 

Cost: $10 per person per day

To reserve a place email : gsharp@blazsports.org or call (404) 270 2034

First come first served (limit of 12 people each day)

Try a variety of water sports including sit ski, jet ski, sailing, kayaking and tubing.  Activities provided and supervised  by Phil Jackson at Lake Tobesofkee Aquatics.

Soccer Camps

These camps are designed to teach the game of soccer to children aged 6-18  with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke, or amputation. Participants should be ambulant (able to walk unassisted) and be independent with personal care. The primary goal is to develop fitness and have fun through the game of soccer.

There are 2 camp locations. To register follow the link below:

Roswell Recreation and Parks, July 8th – 12th 

http://registration.challengersports.com/CampUrl.asp?Uid=1-3GECU0X8

Norcross Soccer Academy, July 22nd – 26th 

http://registration.challengersports.com/CampUrl.asp?Uid=1-QPCVUQFD 

If you have any questions about any of our summer opportunities please call Gillian on (404) 270-2034 or email gsharp@blazesports.org

An Active Life =

Healthy and

Happy Life

Make a gift

to the BlazeSports

2013 Annual Fund

Help us achieve our goal of raising $300,000!

2013 Annual Fund Brochure

2013 Annual Fund – Donation Card

The 33rd Annual Dixie Games concluded on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12th with Track and Field at Alfred E. Thompson Stadium located on the beautiful campus of Westminster Schools Atlanta.  The 33rd installment of the Dixie Games marked its return to Atlanta after three highly successful years in Tampa.  Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation and Paralympic Sport Club Tampa Bay set the bar high as hosts over the last three years but BlazeSports and Shepherd Center met the challenge and provided three full days of competition.

Highlights from the 2013 Dixie Games include:

• Over 200 athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers attended the Dixie Games which offered Paralympic-style competition in, Archery, Table Tennis, Boccia, Weightlifting, Track and Field,  Swimming, and Wheelchair Fencing

• 22 Veterans with a disability competed in the Dixie Games including 13 who are active participants in the BlazeSports Military Sport and Recreation Program

•  One world record was eclipsed in the Long Jump by Josh Kennsion who is a quadrilateral amputee who runs and jumps on prosthetics

• One America’s record was eclipsed in discus by Atlanta athlete Cassie Mitchell who is also a Shepherd Center Athlete

• Numerous National Track and Field records were broken including five by our very own Georgia Blazers; Collin Lancaster, Curran Brown, Bryan Powell, James Adams and Ja-Que Billingsley and,

• Two National records by Shepherd Center athlete and BlazeSports Board of Directors member Duane Morrow

• Curtis Lovejoy, 5-time Paralympian, Shepherd Center Athlete and Coach, was inducted into the Dixie Wheelchair Athletic Association Hall of Fame

Spirit of Excellence Award Winners:

Archery:  Catalina Bustamante, Mitchell Miles, Jon Moore 

Fencing:  Ellen Geddes, DeJuan Surrell 

Swimming:  Nigel Hambrick, Ashley Bateman, Beecher Bruno, Madison Stanley 

Table Tennis:  Jeff DeLeon, Catalina Bustamante 

Weightlifting:  Michelle Gowland, Johnnie Alexander, Ja-Que Billingsley, Matthew Giardino 

Boccia:  Tim Field 

Field:  Crystal Molina, Dylan Wilson, Centra Mazyck, James Johnson 

Track:  Curran Brown, Cole Wooten, Michelle Taylor Page, Jose Pulido

Spirit of Excellence Award selection is based upon effort, sportsmanship, knowledge of the sport, and being a role model.

You view photos from the 2013 Dixie Games here:

Friday – Archery, Table Tennis, Boccia, Weightlifting
Saturday – Seated Field, Swimming, Wheelchair Fencing
Sunday – Track and Ambulatory Field

Complete results for the 2013 Dixie Games can be downloaded here: 2013 Dixie Games Results.

Thank you to all the sponsors, volunteers, athletes, coaches, and officials that made the 2013 Dixie Games a success.

This past week, BlazeSports Haiti organized the second of four mini festivals designed to promote physical activity in Haiti. This second mini sports festival included the participation of 74 students (36 females) from the Monfort Institute.

The Monfort Institute, led by Sister Mona Haig, is a well-known religious institution in Haiti that works with young people who have visual impairments, blindness and deafness,  with ages ranging from 3 to 20 years of age. The institution has more than 350 students of whom 92 are serving as interns. They offer courses ranging from kindergarten to professional technical studies, and with branches in three areas of the country, the Monfort Institute is undoubtedly one of the major centers for deaf education in Haiti.

The festival activities took place, thanks to funding from USAID, US Department of State – Sports United, and the United Nations Office for Sport Development and Peace, in a fun and festive atmosphere, featuring workshops of athletics, including boccia, volleyball, recreational games and a major focus on football. Under the guidance of six specialized BlazeSports leaders and with the help of Monfort Institute staff, the students participated in activities for 4 hours straight, demonstrating great sportsmanship and friendly interactions throughout the day. 

In addition to the success of the activities, we must also mention that President of the National Paralympic Committee of Haiti, Jean Chevalier Sanon, as well as sports journalist of Le Nouvelliste, Enock Nere, made visits to the festival to observe the activities. 

BlazeSports and Haitian kids suggested priority for the UN Global Survey for a better world: Sport for Development

The girls from the Monfort Institute warming up to take part in the physical activities.

BlazeSports trained coaches lead stretching before the soccer session.

The first mini festival was attended by 64 children and youth, 23 of them girls, with physical and learning disabilities at the Center Foyer d’Amour in Haiti.

The activity began with a welcoming from Daniel Pierre-Charles, BlazeSports country director, followed by words of thanks from the director of Foyer d’Amour Rose May Legouté.

The mini festival commenced in a supportive and festive atmosphere, where the participants seemed very happy. After four hours of learning and fun games, the kids from Foyer d’Amour thanked BlazeSports for offering a full day of physical activities where they could showcase their talent and prove that their disability do not prevent them from being physical active.

Hopefully in the near future BlazeSports, in partnership with local schools, will be able to offer continuing programme for kids with disabilities. Rose May Legouté, the director of Foyer D’amour, thanked this type of activities that allow kids to increase their self-esteem, to value each one ability that is often undervalued even in their own home, and to show each one of the kids the potential they have.

The second Mini Festival will be delivered in early May, in partnership with Monfort Institute.

These mini festivals are part of a multi-agency project in Haiti that aims to promote Adapted Physical Education at three centers in the metropolitan area of Port au Prince.

On Wednesday, May 15th , BlazeSports America and the National Wheelchair Softball Association joined the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to introduce the adapted version of America’s favorite pastime – wheelchair softball, featuring the personal story of standout athlete Brent Rasmussen and presented by Hall of Famer Bruce Froendt.

You can view the video archive of the webinar by clicking HERE.

For therapeutic recreation major Kaitlin Daly, walking into a hospital for an adaptive sports internship interview was the first time she had ever been in a clinical setting.  Kaitlin had expected to feel unprepared for this situation, but her recent graduation from the BlazeSports CDSS Program left her feeling confident with the task ahead.  Kaitlin joined the Certified Disability Sport Specialist Program as a student when the team held training on her college campus in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.

The program hosted by, Dan Humphreys & Ann Cody of BlazeSports,  gave Kaitlin tangible information that she felt resonated with her in a unique way, as she describes, “the program was an invaluable experience” .

Kaitlin has just received a summer internship position with the Cleveland VA where she will work hands on with wheelchair athletes.  There is no doubt in Kaitlin’s mind that her participation in the CDSS program and certification qualified her for this incredible internship opportunity, and we wish her all the best! 

Click HERE to learn more about the BlazeSports CDSS Program and regional training workshops being held in 2013.

On Patriot’s Day all of Boston comes together, as they have for over 100 years to stage one of the great sporting events in the world. The entire city celebrates this race and its athletes. The race course is lined with spectators who take the time to look up your race number so they can cheer you on by name, the smell of barbeque permeates the air tempting you to stop for a bite, and college students offer you a beverage as you pass on by. It is an incredibly celebratory event for everyone.

The Boston Marathon was the biggest race on my calendar when I was an elite wheelchair racer. My coach is from Boston and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Boston is a rite of passage for marathon runners and racers. Qualifying for and competing in Boston is a major life achievement. Family and friends – the people we treasure the most – make the pilgrimage to Boston to watch us race in the Marathon. My most treasured people have been spectators in those stands on Boylston Street.

Long before the Paralympics gained worldwide attention, the city and people of Boston were celebrating our sport and our athletes. From the race start to the press conferences to the awards ceremony to one of the most coveted prize purses in the world, Boston rolls out its red carpet for wheelchair racers. Television crews capture the lead racers and commentators call the entire race. The Boston Globe made household names of Jean Driscoll and Ernst van Dyke among others. We owe them our gratitude for hosting one of the great sporting events in the world.

For now, we will keep the city and the people of Boston in our hearts.

Written by Ann Cody, BlazeSports Director of Policy and Outreach

Prep Repeat as National Champions

Varsity Wins Consolation Game

In what many people thought would be the NIT championship game, the #1 ranked Atlanta Junior Wheelchair Hawks Varsity Team met the #2 ranked Phoenix Banner Wheelchair Suns (AZ) in the consolation game for 3rd/4th place.  The game was a classic battle of two good teams. At no point did either team enjoy more that a 4 point lead. The Suns had the slight 17-16 lead at the half behind a strong performance of Joseph Underwood who had 14 of the teams 17 points. Brent O’Grady (Kennesaw) and Treyvon Smith (Athens) kept the Hawks close with 6 and 4 points respectively. 

The second half was more of the same see-saw battle with the lead change hands more than 8 times. Josh Joines (Kennesaw) finally got the lid of the basket after shooting 1 for 9 in the first and shot 70% to lead the Hawks with 14 second half points. Brent O’Grady finished with 10, Treyvon Smith had 6, Bryan Powell (Marietta) added 4 while Curran Brown (Johns Creek) and Luke Hutchinson (Marietta) each scoring 2 points. Hawks win a close game 40-38 to place third in the NIT. Josh Joines led the Hawks in scoring with 79 points in four games and was named to the Second All-tournament team.

The Junior Wheelchair Hawks Prep team met the #2 seed Courage Rolling Rowdies (MN) who won the second semi-final game against the Turnstone Flyers (IN) 20-18. The Hawks earned their way into the Championship Game with 34-17 win over the #5 ranked Chicago Skyhawks. The Hawks entered the game undefeated and defending 2012 National Champions. 

The key to the Hawks success all season has been their defense. Today would be no different. The Hawks held the Rowdies to 3 first half points behind the dynamic duo of Collin Lancaster (Bethlehem) and Cameron Elzey (Cumming). On the offensive side of the ball Samuel Armas (Vila Rica) scored 10, Chance Boyd (Atlanta) 6 and Kalen Reese (Powder Springs) 4 and the Hawks led at the half 20-3. The second half represented a transition for the Hawks with three players playing their last Prep game before graduating up to the Varsity squad next season.  The five remain players affectionately know as the “short stacks” represent the future of the Hawks for the next four years and played most of the half second. The Hawks win 30-13 to repeat as National Prep Champions. 

Samuel Armas led the Hawks with 16 point and was named MVP for the Championship Game and MVP for the entire Prep tournament. Kalen Reese was selected for the tournament’s Sportsmanship Award. 

BlazeSports would like to thank Atlanta Hawks for all their support and for the opportunity to represent Atlanta and the Atlanta Hawks organization. Thanks also to BP Oil, Georgia Oil Holdings, LLC and Clipper Petroleum, Inc and Eagle Sportschairs for their continued support of BlazeSports. 

Prep Advance to Championship Game -Varsity will Play for 3^rd Place in JNIT

The Junior Wheelchair Hawks Prep team faced the #5 ranked Chicago Skyhawks in the first semi-final game of the NWBA National Prep Championship. The #1 ranked Hawks had a slow start as compared to yesterday’s game. Collin Lancaster (Bethlehem) kept the Hawks in the first half with 8 points while Kalen Reese (Powder Springs) had 4 points. The Hawks led at the half 16-9.

The key to the Prep team’s success all season has been their defense and that continued during this semi-final game. Behind the dynamic defensive pair of Collin Lancaster and Cameron Elzey (Cumming), the Hawks held Chicago to 17 points.  Led by 12 second half points from Kalen Reese, the Hawks finished strong to win 34-17. The Hawks will defend their 2012 National Championship against the #2 seed Courage Rolling Rowdies (MN) who won the second semi-final game against the Turnstone Flyers (IN) in a thrilling 20-18 decision in the last 10 seconds.

The Varsity Junior Wheelchair Hawks played regional rivals Lakeshore Lakers (AL) but did not fare as well as their Prep teammates. This semi-final match was the sixth time this season that these teams squared off.  The Hawks came into the tournament enjoying a 4-1 season record over the Lakers. The game started well for the Hawks who led at the half 21-11 behind 8 points from Josh Joines (Kennesaw) and 4 points from Brent O’G Brady (Kennesaw), Treyvon Smith (Athens) and Curran Brown (Johns Creek). The second half was the complete opposite with the Lakers scoring 24 and holding the Hawks to only 10. Lakers win 35-31.

The Varsity Hawks will play the Phoenix Banner Wheelchair Suns (AZ) in the 3^rd place game.  The Suns were also upset in the semi-finals by the #3 Jr. Sioux Wheelchairs.

Atlanta Junior Wheelchair Hawks 3-0 on Day 1 of NWBA National Championships - Prep and Varsity Headed to Semi-Finals

The Atlanta Junior Wheelchair Hawks had a good first day at the National Wheelchair Basketball Association National Championships. The NIT #1 ranked Hawks Varsity team started the day with a win over #16 ranked Dallas Mavericks. The Hawks got off to a slow start shooting only 17% in the first half and led at the midway point 16 – 6. The Hawks maintained their strong defense in the second half and stepped up their offense to win 44-12. The Hawks were led by Josh Joines (Kennesaw) with 20 points. Treyvon Smith (Athens) had 8 points and Luke Hutchinson (Marietta) scored 6. Brent O’Grady (Kennesaw) and Bryan Powell (Marietta) both scored 4 points. Curran Brown rounded out the Hawks scoring with 2 points.

The Junior Wheelchair Hawks Prep team faced the #9 ranked Katie Komets (PA), the winner of the game with the #8 ranked Nebraska Red Dogs. The #1 ranked Hawks started strong behind Samuel Armas (Villa Rica) and Kalen Reese (Powder Springs) with 14 and 8 first half points respectively.  The Hawks led at the half 24-11. Collin Lancaster (Bethlehem), Cameron Elzey (Cumming), Taevan Grant (Atlanta), Zachery Armas (Villa Rica) and Cade Maynor (Lindale) shared the responsibilities in key defensive positions and held the Komets to only 18 points in a 42-18 final. Samuel Armas finished with 18 points while Kalen Reese had 16 points. Collin Lancaster scored 4 points and Chance Boyd and Taevan Grant each scored 2 points. The Hawks Prep Team will play a semi-final game on Friday at 10:30 am against the #5 ranked Chicago Skyhawks who defeated the #4 ranked RHI Mini Pacers (IN).

The Varsity Hawks played a quarter-final game late on Day 1. The 7:30 pm game was against #9 ranked Courage Center Gophers (MN) who beat #8 ranked Kansas City Jr. Pioneers. The Hawks played a great game shooting 41% in the first half and playing outstanding defense.  Josh Joines led the Hawks with 10 first half points while Treyvon Grant added 8.  The Hawks led at the mid way point 26-12. The second half was more of the same. The Hawks improved their shooting to 47% and more than doubled their half-time score with 6 of 7 players in the offensive column. Josh Joines finished with 27 with Treyvon Smith with 10, Brent O’Grady with 8, Bryan Powell with 6 and Curran Brown and Luke Hutchinson with 2 points each. Led defensively by Brent O’Grady, the Hawks held the Gophers to only 14 second half points to win 55-26 and earned a spot in Friday’s semi-final game.  The Hawks will play conference rival Lakeshore Lakers who they defeated a few weeks ago to capture the Southern Conference crown.

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BlazeSports America’s wheelchair basketball team travels to Louisville, KY for the 2013 National Wheelchair Basketball Championships. In their first official tournament as the Atlanta Junior Wheelchair Hawks, Blaze’s Prep and Varsity teams are both ranked #1 going into the this year’s tournament.

The Junior Wheelchair Hawks are one of 13 Prep teams in the second largest field of Prep teams in NWBA history. The Junior Wheelchair Hawks are undefeated, 2013 Southeast Regional Champions and defending 2012 National Champions. The team enjoys having 6 of 7 players back from last year with two outstanding rookies.  The tournament format is  single elimination with a consolation bracket and the Blazer’s first game is Thursday, April 18 at 11:45 against the winner of the game between #8 ranked Nebraska Red Dogs and #9 ranked Katies Komets.

The Junior Wheelchair Hawks Varsity Team is ranked #17 in the country which places them as the #1 ranked team in the NIT bracket. The Varsity Hawks, also 2013 Southeast Regional Champions, are making their second national appearance in three years, missing last year’s tournament. The Hawks’ first game is on Thursday, April 18 at 11:30 against # 16 ranked Dallas Jr. Mavericks.

Meet the 2013 Atlanta Junior Wheelchair Hawks

Team Photo: 2013 Atlanta Junior Wheelchair Hawks

The beautiful facilities at Roosevelt Warm Springs are host to the 2013 Roosevelt Games, a multi-sport Paralympic-style competition for veteran and active duty service personnel with physical disabilities. The event includes competitions in air rifle, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, archery, bowling, cycling and swimming. Instructional sport clinics were also held in field events, air rifle, cycling and swimming. Competition in each sport will offer both Team and Individual awards. The Team accumulating the most point throughout the week will be awarded the Roosevelt Trophy, a traveling award presented to the best overall Team. Fort Stewart is defending 2012 Champions.

This year’s competition includes more that 80 competitors representing the Warrior Transitions Battalions (WTB) from Fort Benning, Fort Gordon, Fort Stewart as well as veterans from the Atlanta VA Medical Center, Team Blaze (a group of Georgia veterans that participate in BlazeSports programs) and a number of other veterans from North Carolina and Florida. The 2013 Roosevelt Games is a cooperative event organized by BlazeSports America at Roosevelt Warm Springs with the support of the U.S. Paralympics, a division of the US Olympic Committee, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Roosevelt’s Little White House State Historic Site, Georgia State Parks and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Two new events were added this year, Air Rifle and Cycling. Air rifle was held at the state-of-the-art shooting facility, the Ole Mill Range Complex in Griffin, GA. Special thanks to Roy McClain and the staff at Ole Mill for a great day.  The staff ran an introductory clinic for the competitors that include a practice round.  After lunch, 16 competitors shot two rounds in the prone position.  Jonathan Moore of Team Blaze took top honors with a score of 181 out of a possible 200.  Fort Stewart won the Team award with a three shooter total of 514 points.

Cycling was held in the beautiful F.D. Roosevelt State Park. Special thanks to Desmond Timmons, Park Manager and Park staff for all their assistance as well as the Georgia Department of Natural Resources State Parks and Historic Sites for allowing us to use such a wonderful section of the park.

Competition was held over a single 3.1 mile (5K) road course.  Reggie Arrington (Fort Benning) took the Bike division with a blistering 3:27 time.  Angel Torrez, also from Fort Benning, topped the Handcycling division with a time of 6:43.  Willie Hughes from Fort Gordon took the Recumbent division with a time of 9:44.

The field of Archery competitors doubled from last year and there was great competition in both the Recurve and Compound Division. A salute to the Archery Learning Center in Snellville, GA for the use of the target stands and target. Matt Redding (Fort Gordon) scored 244 to take top honors in the Recurve Division. Angel Torres (Fort Stewart) won the Compound division with a score of 273 of a possible 300. Fort Stewart won the Recurve Team award with a total of 445 points and the Compound Team award with a total of 772.

Swimming, Bowling, Sitting Volleyball, and Wheelchair Basketball highlights as well as the full results will be posted at the conclusion of the 2013 Roosevelt Games.