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. . . is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advances the lives of youth and adults with physical
disability through sport and healthy lifestyles. BlazeSports provides sports training, competitions, summer camps and other
sports and recreational opportunities for youth and adults with spinal cord injury, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain
injury, muscular dystrophy, amputation, visual impairment or blindness as well as other physical disabilities.
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2009 BlazeSports Paralympic Development Camp
Presented By: BlazeSports & US Paralympics
The BlazeSports Paralympic Development Camp is designed to strengthen athletic skills
and build a winning attitude. Our instructors include Paralympic coaches and Paralympians
and offer detailed instruction for the following sports: Track, Field, Swimming, Wheelchair
Tennis and Boccia. In addition to sports specific skill development, there will be lectures,
films, and demonstrations on the latest techniques in each sport and discipline. Athletes
will also receive information and resources on competition, strategy, nutrition, relaxation,
visualization, and commitment.
More Info | Dowload Application
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 Two words. Speed and Agility.
2008 Indoor Wheelchair Soccer Championships Conclude
The 2008 IWS Awards Banquet on November 2nd marked the close of three-days of intense competition at the 2008 Indoor Wheelchair Soccer National Championships hosted by BlazeSports America on the campus of University of Georgia in Athens. Everyone is pumped for 2009!
In the Open Division, the Houston Challengers went neck in neck with the Houston Toros but managed to defeat their rival 8-7. Third place went to the New York Chariots. Tomas Lobo with the Houston Toros received the Open Division MVP and All Tournament Team Awards.
The New York Strikers, although no All Tournament Awards, played well enough as a team to defeat C&R Medical for 1st Place in the A Division. San Diego Heat took 3rd place.
A Division MVP and All Tournament Team Award winner went to Jazmin Almlie-Ryan
with C&R Medical.
Open Division Results | A Division Results | View Photos
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Ann Cody:
National Administrator of the Year
National Council for Youth Sports
and Hershey's STRIVE Award
Ann Cody was honored on Sunday, November 2 at the Indoor Wheelchair Soccer National Championships, hosted by BlazeSports America as the 2008 National Administrator of the Year for her dedication and accomplishments in developing sport opportunities for youth with physical disability. Sally Johnson, Executive Director of the National Council of Youth Sports presented the award. In addition to this great award, Ann received a check for $2,500, which she announced, will be donated to BlazeSports America.
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Save the Date: 2009 National Disability Sports Conference
 CONNECT - INNOVATE - INSPIRE
The 2009 National Disability Sports Conference
will be held September 10-12 on the campus of Kennesaw
State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. Next year’s Conference
is expected to be the best ever, with more than 30 interactive
sessions on topics ranging from coaching to recruitment and
program development. These sessions will be lead by the nation’s
top sports professionals; elite coaches and Paralympic athletes
will share their cutting edge training techniques with attendees.
Wheelchairs and other sporting equipment will be on hand
to ensure a hands-on learning experience. Additionally, Conference
attendees will have access to one-on-one consulting on fundraising,
risk management, public relations, grant writing, and more. Continuing
education credits are available. This is an excellent chance to meet
the best minds in disability sport from across the country!
Call for Sessions
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Reflections on Beijing 2008
The 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing opened on September 6th with fireworks and pageantry
and closed on September 17th with thoughts of the future. From the world class athletes to
the spectacular competition venues and superb organization, the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games
were truly exceptional.
Congratulations to all athletes and coaches who competed in Beijing, especially those representing
BlazeSports Clubs and who participated in the Paralympic Academy Beijing.
Read more for information on day-to-day action, results, photos and footage
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 Boccia Nationals Conclude with Individual Competition
The 2008 Boccia National Championships wrapped up July 12 with strong competition
in the individual contests. In the BC1 Division, Jennifer Jay took home the gold by defeating
TJ Hawker who placed second. Rounding up the division was Greg Lallky who placed third.
Competition in the BC2 Division was tight as Chris Ludwig placed first by defeating second
place winner Lizzie Flora-Swick by a two point differential. Matt Hiltner placed third with three
strong wins in the division. Austin Hanson used precision ball skills to place first in the BC3
Division by defeating second place winner Sam Williams. Mark Paramadani placed third with
a strong showing during competition. The Championships culminated with a delicious southern
cookout and athletes celebrated a great tournament during a night of bluegrass music provided
by the Bibb City Ramblers. A good time was had by all.
Click here for competition results
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 Fun and Friendships at BlazeCamp
Fun, friends and excitement were abound as BlazeSports America held
its interactive sports and recreation summer camp June 24-29 for youth with
physical disabilities at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation
in Warm Springs, Ga. Nearly 40 youth attended the a six-day, five-night
BlazeCamp and were provided opportunities to develop their skills in a variety
of exciting sports including track and field, wheelchair basketball, goal ball,
tennis, volleyball, and more.
Additionally, participants enjoyed traditional camp activities such as swimming,
arts and crafts and social activities. Local partners for BlazeCamp are Kroger,
Sportaid and Resurgens Orthopaedics.
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 Trailblazers Leadership Class of 2008
BlazeSports America welcomed its graduating class of young
leaders during a ceremony held June 14 at Kennesaw State
University’s Convocation Center. Family and friends gathered for
the happy occasion which was the culmination of the BlazeSports
Trailblazers Leadership Program, a training designed to develop
leadership skills, self responsibility, healthy lifestyle behaviors
and pre-vocational skills for young people with physical disabilities.
The graduates also got an opportunity to tour the campus of Kennesaw
State University and learn about the academic programs available.
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 Ann Cody Conducts Educational Session in Doha, Qatar
Ann Cody, BlazeSports Director of Partnerships and Public Policy, was a featured speaker at
the 3rd International Forum hosted in late April by the Shafallah Center in Doha, Qatar. During
the forum Cody educated attendees on Community-Based Sports Programs Fostering Social
Inclusion, Acceptance, and Skill Acquisition for Children with Disabilities. The Shafallah Center
is a center of excellence that provides comprehensive services to individuals with developmental
and learning challenges, their families, and the community. In closing the Forum the Shafallah
Center issued a declaration recognizing the right of persons with disabilities to actively engage
in sport and recreation, the role of sport and recreation in fostering social inclusion, and encouraging
the strengthening of the dialogue among and between individuals and organizations involved in
disability, sport, and human rights to advance the human rights of persons with disabilities
in sport and recreation. Click here to see the declaration
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 USPSA Power Soccer Tournament 2008
BlazeSports America partnered with the Fernando Foundation and the U.S. Power
Soccer Association (USPSA) for the 2008 National Power Soccer Tournament held
June 13-15 at the Suwanee Sports Academy in Suwanee, Ga. The tournament was a
great success with teams from throughout the country traveling to Georgia to compete.
As in traditional soccer, Power [wheelchair] Soccer requires strategy, precise plays, and
impeccable teamwork. As one of the few competitive team sports for power wheelchair users,
this dynamic new way to play the game of soccer – with guards to cover their feet and an
oversized ball -- is sweeping the country and the globe.
For more information click here or call 678 656-4600.
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Check out our You Tube!__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Become a BlazeSports Member TODAY!
Click here for Membership Application
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