Ashley ThomasFounder, E. D.Bridge II Sports

Community Programs:Do you believe in the power?

Bridge II Sports creates opportunities for children and

adults with physical challenges to participate in

team, individual and recreational activities.

How Do We Run Multiple Programs:Community Partners

GiGeGoal Ball

Jr. ThunderRaleigh

TriangleThunder

Cary

BocciaW/C Tennis

Durham

CarolinaDragons

Paralympic Experience

FencingGolf

Orange CountyTrack and Field

Archery

Thank you to Parks and Recreation and our Communities!

Wake Forest

Sled Hockey

Morrisville

Para Kayak

Sitting Volleyball

NC State University W/C

Dancing

University of NC

Duke University

Hand Cycling

Motivation

Reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.The general desire or willingness of someone to do something.

courage

compassionconviction

My Motivation

The Athlete:ParentsSiblings

CaregiversPT/OT

Athlete: Mixed Bag

•Low expectations with little hope

•Surgeries to “Fix”

•Don’t fit In

•Hope is lost to fear and rejection

Expectations• Goals – Have a Voice

• Team

• Individual Sports Skill

• Academic Goals

• Individual Personal Skill• Responsibilities

• Communicate if one is coming

• Request equipment need

• Managing equipment for practice

• Help load and unload

Family Members

•Respect the positions held

•Understand their limits

•Set expectations

•Identify their rolls

•Siblings welcome

•Begin training – fundraising required!

Caregivers, PT/OT

• Encourage interaction

• Communicate the need for their help to recruit new athletes

• Offer to do an awareness at school

Build Your Support Team

Community ResourcesVolunteers

Media

Community ResourcesIdentify strengths within community

resources

• Accessible spaces

• Parks and Rec.

• Churches/Community Centers

• Specialty Schools• Funding• Professional Teams• Community Foundations• Amateur Sports Associations

University/College Resources

•Student Volunteers/Interns

•Engineering Programs

•Journalism Programs

•Specialty Groups

Volunteer Training – How?

Listening –

Empowering

the athlete to

have a voice

Physical support

People

First

Language• Person always comes first, not identified by limit

•Correct medical words: AKA, limb, sci, T-12, MC, CP

•Touching support – always ask first! Let athlete direct.

•Be aware of skin sensitivity

•Listen, Watch, Listen

In 1966, the President establishes the Presidential Physical Fitness Award for exceptional achievement by boys and girls ages 10 to 17 based on the survey.

Recruit – How? Relationships!

We want to avoid:Who do you know?

Community

School

Friends

Family

How often do you ask?

Set Goals•Start on time

•Expect communication if not able to attend

•Uniform

•Competition

•Personal Goals

•Team Goal

•Skill Goal

•Personal Skill Goal

•Academic Goal

In 1966, the President establishes the Presidential Physical Fitness Award for exceptional achievement by boys and girls ages 10 to 17 based on the survey.

What we discovered:

The Miracle of Sports that empowers change and acceptance in the lives of those with disabilities.

Questions?Bridge II Sports

www.bridge2sports.org

866-880-2742

ashley@bridge2sports.org

www.facebook.com/bridge2sports

www.twitter.com/bridge2sports