This season, BORP is proud to introduce the Bay Area Ballerz, the region’s first-ever Division III wheelchair basketball team. With a dedicated roster of eight players, the Ballerz are already making their mark on the court. Competing in two tournaments so far this season—in Sacramento and San Diego—the team secured a win at each event while gaining invaluable experience with every game.
Practicing every Monday at Chabot College in Hayward, the Ballerz are laser-focused on honing their skills and building team cohesion as they prepare for their two remaining tournaments this season.
The creation of the Ballerz marks a major milestone for adaptive sports in the Bay Area, bridging the gap between local recreational leagues and elite Division I play. Six of the team’s eight athletes competed last year with the BORP All-Stars, BORP’s recreational team based in Berkeley. The shift to Division III competition has challenged players to elevate their game, with the faster pace of play and more in-depth coaching resulting in significant skill development.
The Ballerz are a true BORP family effort, with a roster that includes BORP’s Program Associate and Executive Director (Jorge Macias and Emily Seelenfreund) as well as two BORP Board Members (Kanani Medeiros and Steve Lau). This team wouldn’t exist without the incredible support of our community partners: the Life Goes On Foundation, Chabot College, and the Division I Golden State Road Warriors. A special thanks also goes to volunteer coach and team manager Armando Rodriguez, whose vision and dedication brought this team to life.
Mark your calendars! The Ballerz will host their home tournament on May 8th and 9th at the James Kenney Community Center. Stay tuned for more details—we can’t wait to see you there, cheering on the team!
