Grand Prairie BLAZE Adaptive Sports

BLaze Fall Swimming

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:46:44 PDT

Hey All!! Summer's is over ... hope everyone has adjusted to the first week of school!! ;)

A reminder for Blaze Swimming, the fall session starts on Wednesday, Sept. 8th, from 6-6:45pm. If you didn't get a chance to join us for our summer clinic or haven't tried classes with us ... COME ON OUT ... and give it a try!!

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Kindl at KWilliams@gptx.org or myself!!

JULY 31st BOCCIA CLINIC!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:47:12 PDT

Hope everyone is having a spectacular summer!!
Reminder that Saturday, July 31st, 12:00 - 2:00 pm we will host our second Boccia Clinic. Come out and see how the game is played!! We are working hard to field a local team and start training and competitions. If you didn't get the flyer, or need more information please contact me at gmcwilliams@gptx.org!! Hope to see you there!!

Basketball Changes!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:05:32 PDT

There will be NO Blaze wheelchair basketball for the next two Wednesday nights, July 7th and 14th. We will return to our normal practice nights on Wednesday, July 21st!!

JUNE 19TH . . . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:17:47 PDT

If you haven't already, remember to mark your calendars for JUNE 19th ~ our Blaze Swim Clinic and free "open swim"!!! We will be hosting this at McFalls Outdoor Pool, located at 505 Dickey Rd., Grand Prairie, TX.

If you have not already pre-registered, please contact Kindll at kwilliams@gptx.org or Gina at gmcwilliams@gptx.org.

Looking forward to a great time! Hope to see you there!

Saturday Fun!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:46:57 PDT

Hey Gang!!

Blaze will be attending the Turning Point Extravaganza this Saturday. For those of you who do not know about this event, you can check out the link on our blog page or find them at http://www.turningpointnation.org!
It is an exciting annual event that you do NOT want to miss!!

A few people have asked about a caravan over to Bachman for the Extravaganza, or setting a meeting time and place. If you are interested, please let me know and I will help facilitate that as much as possible!!

Don't forget our Blaze Swim Clinic & Open Swim on June 19th at McFalls Outdoor Pool!! Mark your calendars and bring your sunscreen!!! See you there!!!

Boccia Clinic Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Thu, 20 May 2010 10:56:37 PDT

Blaze BOCCIA CLINIC this Saturday, May 22nd!!!
Clinic will be held at the Charley Taylor Rec Center from 12:00 - 2:00 pm.
All athletes, regardless of disability type, are invited to this clinic.

Boccia tests an athlete's coordination, accuracy, concentration, and ability to strategize. Come on out and see what it has to offer YOU!!! See you there!!

REMINDERS!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:56:14 PDT

Hi Everyone!!

MAY 1st ~ RISE "Kickin off the Summer Bash" at Meadowmere Park in Grapevine!!

MAY 5th ~ Cinco de Mayo Festival at Charley Taylor Rec Center - NO BASKETBALL!!!

MAY 8th ~ 1st Annual Kid-netics Games at St. Marks School of Dallas!!

MAY 22nd ~ BLAZE Boccia clinic at Charley Taylor Rec Center in Grand Prairie!!

JUNE 4th ~ Turning Points Extravaganza at Bachman Rec Center in Dallas!!!

JUNE 5th ~ BlazeSports Saturday at Charley Taylor!!

JUNE 19th ~ Blaze SWIMMING CLINIC (tba) watch out for upcoming flyer!!!

UPDATES

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:01:50 PDT

Hi All,

I wanted to send out a couple of reminders for the upcoming weeks. Basketball and Swimming on Wednesday nights. Our calendar shows a BlazeSports day for this Saturday, April 24th. That is incorrect. There will be NO BlazeSports this coming Saturday.

Our next scheduled BlazeSports Saturday will be held in conjunction with the Kid-netics Games to be held on May 8th at Saint Mark's School of Texas. You should have already received several emails and information on this event, so please make sure you are registered!! You can view more info at the following link: http://http://preview.region10.org/ssvi/APE%20Material/KID-NETIC.html

May 1st, will be RISE Adventures "Kickin off the Summer BASH". Let me know if you would like to meet at Charley Taylor and carpool, or if we want to set a meeting time and place there!! It should be great fun!!

Also, mark your calendar for the upcoming 20th Annual Turning Point Extravaganza on
June 4th at Bachman Lake in Dallas.

CInco de Mayo around the corner!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:21:17 PDT

Hey Gang!! Advanced notice, there will be NO wheelchair basketball on Wednesday night, May 5th. Instead join us at Charley Taylor Rec Center for our Cinco de Mayo Carnival!!! Carnival will be from 6:00 - 8:00pm, is open to the public, and will have FUN for all ages!!!
COME AND CELEBRATE WITH US!!!!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:32:34 PDT

SATURDAY, MAY 8th

The Kid-netic Games is an annual weekend athletic event for students ages 5-22 (if still attending high school) with physical impairments such as amputations, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, dwarfism, and other orthopedic impariments. The event will allow individuals with physical disabilities to participate in track and field, wheelchair basketball, and power soccer. We will also offer clinics in sports and recreational pursuits such as wheelchair tennis and boccia. It will provide an opportunity for students with physical disabilities to develop friendships and gain knowledge of various sports. The Kid-netic Games will have a variety of community resources and networking opportunities for families of students with physical disabilities. This will take the place of our regularly scheduled BlazeSports Saturday!! Check out the following link:
http://preview.region10.org/ssvi/APE%20Material/KID-NETIC.html

Feel free to contact Randy or Jennifer, or myself for further information!!

Also, if you or someone you know, would like to host an information table (vendor/exhibitor) please contact me directly!!

Have a GRAND week!!!

Air Rifle Practice & Competition

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:38:56 PST

Hi All!!

Reminder of the Air Rifle clinic this weekend at Bachman Rec Center in Dallas. This event will take place of our normal Saturday BlazeSports Day!! Make sure you have RSVP'd to either Jason (listed on flyer) or myself (and I will forward info on to him!!).

If you have any questions please feel free to call or contact me.

Track & Field Clinic a success!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:58:39 PST

Hey All!!
We had a good time at Saturday's track and field clinic!!! Thanks for the participants that made it out ... and LOOK OUT!!! for our new, up and coming track stars!!! LOL =D
Special thanks to Paul Johnson and his sidekick Bonnie for all of their time and hard work!! A good time was had by all!! Have a great week and look for the upcoming post and flyer for AIR RIFLE CLINIC .... an upcoming Air Rifle clinic for people with disabilities!!!
Blessings!!

BLAZE SATURDAY, FEB. 20th, 12-2pm

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:27:27 PST

ATHLETICS/TRACK AND FIELD >>VIEW FLYER<<
Saturday, Feb. 20th, 12-2pm ~ Charley Taylor Rec Cntr
Come join us for our first track and field clinic!! Paul Johnson will be our coach for this first time event. He is experienced in track and field and brings a wealth of knowledge and information to assist us. There are so many different types of classifications for athletics .... come have fun and see how you can become a future track star!!!!

Team USA

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:12:51 PST

As most of you are aware, the Winter Olympic Games are now in full swing in Vancouver!! Athletes from TeamUSA, who have been training their entire lives, have been taking the stage to represent our country. I'd like to ask our readers and participants of Grand Prairie BlazeSports to share the news and help support Team USA!!

Anyone who registers on TeamUSA.org will have access to the latest info and will receive exclusive updates throughout the games!! You will find all of that information as well as some very cool widgets and banners at: http://teamusanews.org/

By spreading the news we can ALL help support our Team USA athletes bring home the GOLD!!

Blessings,
Gina McWilliams
Team USA, #9
Paralympic Volleyball

Weeks events

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:25:42 PST

Hi All!!
Welcome back to the "after holidays" adjustment period!!! LOL ;)
BLAZE SWIMMING is back in gear, 6-7 pm every Wednesday night at Kirby Creek Natatorium.
BLAZE BASKETBALL is also in full swing, 7-8:30 pm every Wednesday night at Charley Taylor.
Saturday, Jan. 23rd is also our BLAZE MULTI-SPORT DAY, from 12-2p pm at Charley Taylor!!
Come on out and enjoy the fun!!!

WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:32:11 PST

Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season!!!
Quick reminder that we are "back in swing of things!!" LOL
Wheelchair basketball every Wednesday night, restarting tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan 6th, from 7-8:30pm at Charley Taylor Rec Center!!! Can't wait to see you there!!
Also, our first BlazeSports day after the holidays will be Saturday, Jan. 23rd, from 12-2pm at Charley Taylor as well!! Looking forward to great fun and time together in the New Year!!!
Happy 2010!! =)

Saturday Event!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:54:17 PST

For this Saturday's Blaze Sports day, we will be meeting at Riverchon Park in Dallas for the Challenged Athletes Foundation's "Catch a Rising Star" event!! This will be clinic for Amputee Running and Wheelchair Racing, and will run from 9:30am - 1:00pm. So for those of you who are interested in the track part of Athletics, please come out and join us. We will have a follow up clinic for Athletics at Charley Taylor with our own Paul Johnson during the month of February.

Due to the holidays, this will be our only Blaze Sports Saturday!!! We will resume on Jan 9th!! Don't forget wheelchair basketball this Wednesday night!! Have a great week!! Map to Location

NO WHEELCHAIR BBALL WED, DEC 2

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:27:47 PST

Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!!! I think I am STILL full!!! ;) LOL

Our Wednesday night wheelchair basketball schedule will be as follows for the holiday season.
There will be NO basketball tomorrow night, Wed., Dec 2.
We WILL have practice on Dec. 9 & 16th.
OFF for holidays Dec. 23 & 30., NO practice.
RETURN for practice on Wed., Jan. 6, 2010!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:56:21 PST

REMEMBER the things you are THANKFUL for this week!!!

Grand Praire BLAZE wants to take a moment to thank all of our participants, friends, and families!! We have so enjoyed this last year and all of the new direction we are going in, and couldn't have done it without YOU!!

As a reminder, there will be NO wheelchair basketball tomorrow, Wednesday, night!!
Enjoy the time off from work and school, and have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Saturday, Nov 21st

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:00:27 PST

Due to the holidays and school vacation, we were originally NOT schedule to have a Blaze Sports Day this Saturday. HOWEVER ......... LOL
After further consideration (okay!! okay!! AND a couple requests!!! haha) we WILL be having our Bi-monthly sports day this Saturday, Nov. 21st, 12-2pm, at Charley Taylor. We will be hosting a wheelchair basketball clinic!!! This will give our regular Wednesday night attendees another day of practice, and also allow those who haven't had a chance to come out on Wednesday nights a chance to try wheelchiar basketball!!
Come out and join us!! See you there!!

BLAZE in the News

noreply@blogger.com (Charley Taylor Rec Staff) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:14:36 PST

GP BLAZE in the News (last feature)

REMINDERS!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:59:59 PST

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL: Wednesday nights, 7-8:30 pm

ADAPTIVE GOLF: Saturday, Nov. 7th, 12-2:00 pm

ALSO: Deadline for Challenged Athletes Grant is Dec. 1st!!! Fill out your forms and get them in!!

Have a great week and enjoy the B-E-A-U-TIFUL weather!!!

ADAPTIVE GOLF CLINIC IN NOVEMBER

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:53:02 PST

HERE'S THE SCOOP ON THE ADAPTIVE GOLF CLINIC WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!!!

COME JOIN US AT PRAIRIE LAKES GOLF COURSE ON SATURDAY, NOV 7th, FROM 12-2pm FOR A GOLF LESSON FROM THE NATIONAL AMPUTEE GOLF ASSOCIATIONS 2009 CHAMPION, TOBY PLASENCIO. TOBY IS THE HEAD GOLF PRO AT LOST CREEK GOLF COURSE, AS WELL AS BEING DISABLED HIMSELF!!

THIS CLINIC IS FREE TO ALL. EQUIPMENT AND BALLS WILL BE PROVIDED.

COME ON OUT AND ENJOY THE FUN!!

BOCCIA CLINIC SAT. 24TH @ NOON

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:55:35 PST

REMINDER FOR BLAZE BOCCIA CLINIC!!!

THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24th, FROM 12-2 PM.
CHARLEY TAYLOR REC CENTER
601 E. GRAND PRAIRIE RD.
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX 75051

SEE PARALYMPIC GAMES - GREAT OPPORTUNITY

noreply@blogger.com (Gina) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:22:19 PDT

2010 Paralympic Experience Vancouver applications now available

Beth Bourgeois - U.S. Paralympic Team October 13, 2009
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), is encouraging students with physical disabilities to promote physical fitness in their daily lives by applying for the 2010 Paralympic Experience in Vancouver, Canada.
Twelve student athletes with physical disabilities and six adults, made up of coaches, teachers and program leaders, will earn a trip to the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada, March 12-21, 2010. Participants in the Paralympic Experience Vancouver will have the opportunity to meet U.S. Paralympic team members, attend Opening Ceremonies and athletic competitions and build camaraderie with other student athletes.

"Paralympic Experience Vancouver recognizes student leaders with physical disabilities who are participating and promoting physical fitness in their schools and communities," said Charlie Huebner, Chief of Paralympics, USOC. "It also recognizes those coaches and teachers that are implementing sport programs that create opportunities and dreams for students with physical disabilities."

To apply, student athletes, ages 14-19, must either submit a video or write an essay answering the question: "How has sport positively impacted your life as a person with a physical disability?" The group of six coaches, teachers and program leaders will be chosen from applications submitted which include a one-page essay describing their work with students with physical disabilities.

Applications are available at http://usparalympics.org/content/index/5124. Deadline to enter is December 1, 2009.

Vancouver marks the fourth Paralympic Experience, with the first event taking place in 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. 2008 Paralympian Greta Neimanas (Chicago, Ill./cycling) participated in the inaugural experience and said that the event had a profound impact on her.
"Being selected to go to Athens was an incredible honor, and meeting Paralympic mentors and being introduced to cycling inspired me to pursue representing my country at the Paralympic Games."