Tampa Bay Strong Dogs: Community Involvement

Showing posts with label Community Involvement. Show all posts

2009 Wheel-A-Thon

Saturday, Oct. 24 - The Tampa Bay Strong Dogs and their family members participate in the Freedom Playground Foundation’s 2009 Wheel-A-Thon.

Besides fund raising prior to the event, the players and their families walked the two mile course at MacFarlane Park in Tampa.

Ron Richardson played with the kids at the accessible playground during lunch.

After the walk, the team joined other participants at the Drum Circle. It was a fun bonding experience.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, the Tampa Bay Strong Dogs played an exhibition game at the 2nd Annual Family Abilities Information Rally (F.A.I.R.) at the Academies, Inc. As the game progressed, members of the audience got to join in, many sitting in a wheelchair or trying wheelchair basketball for the first time.

It was a F.A.I.R. game, where the winners were not those with the greatest number of baskets, but those who gained an appreciation for the physical abilities of people with disabilities.

Strong Dogs Demonstrate Their Skills During SEC’s FanFare

Division I college basketball is exciting, but nothing gets the crowd going like the superb ball handling skills of the Tampa Bay Strong Dogs. During the South Eastern Conference Tournament’s FanFare in Tampa, the Strong Dogs played an exhibition game to introduce the crowd to the intricacies of wheelchair basketball. Similar in rules to the college game, wheelchair basketball is played in two twenty-minutes halves, using basic basketball principles. Spectators used to the fast pace of the college game, were not disappointed by the intensity of the rolling sport.

Drew's personal fan club cheered him on.

The crowd pleasers - your Tampa Bay Strong Dogs.

Strong Dogs VS MacDill AFB Team

In a challenge between able body and disabled players, the Tampa Bay Strong Dogs exposed the MacDill AFB's Intramural Basketball Team to wheelchair basketball during a friendly but competitive game on February 11.

While in top athletic shape, the Air Force team found itself using different muscles and techniques to accomplish what usually comes so easy to them, scoring baskets.

Andy Bernt, retired Air Force Firefighter,

showed the new generation how it's done!

The final score (13 -38) left the home team impressed with the Strong Dogs skills, and taught them about adaptation.

Strong Dogs' Exhibition Game at USF

The Tampa Bay Strong Dogs furthered community awareness of Wheelchair Basketball by strutting their moves during a half time exhibition game at the University of South Florida. While the USF Bulls lost to the Providence College Friars in a close and fierce game, the Strong Dogs won the crowd’s cheers and respect, with their smooth passes and incredible baskets.

Community Involvement

The Strong Dogs are commited to furthering wheelchair basketball in Tampa Bay, while serving as ability embassadors and educators to the community. The team is available for in-school demostrations, as well as coorporate exhibitions. If you would like to see how the sport is played, sit on a wheelchair and try it yourself, or simply be amazed by the agility and ability of these wheelchair athletes, contact us. We will be happy to tailor an exhibition or educational program to meet your needs. Please call Jeanene Griffin at (813) 813-2000 x3822 for more information, or send us an email at TampaBayStrongDogs@Gmail.com.

Strong Dogs vs. Grady Elementary Teachers

On December 5, 2008, the Tampa Bay Strong Dogs went to Grady Elementary School in Tampa as part of the school's first Inclusive Schools Week. The program included beautiful dance, music, and art performances by the students, as well as a spirited game between the Strong Dogs and Grady's teachers. While the Strong Dogs won the game, the teachers proved that adaptive sports can be fun and exciting for everyone.

Bulls Become Strong Dogs

On October 21st and 22nd, 2008 the University of South Florida (USF) hosted its first annual Accessi-Bull, a two day conference highlighting abilities. Among the many exhibits, demonstrations, and training seminars, Accessi-Bull included a wheelchair basketball exhibition by the Tampa Bay Strong Dogs.