Therapeutic Sports Ministry Seeks Players

Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in St. Petersburg is seeking participants (male and female) for the Paralympic Therapeutic Sports Ministry (TSM) wheelchair basketball game.

TSM is offering wheelchair basketball to inspire youth and adults whose daily lives require the use of wheelchairs. An exhibition game between the Orlando Magic Wheels and Tampa Bay Strong Dogs will be held at Wildwood Recreation Center, 1000 28th St. S., St. Petersburg, March 22 starting at 10 a.m.

The game will showcase two well-known paralympic teams, joined by local St. Petersburg community players. If you or someone you know is interested in playing for the Mt. Zion team or volunteering to help, contact Coach CeCe, TSM Coordinator at sportstrainer22@tampabay.rr.com, or Rev. Charles Ray at (727) 894-4311 or (727) 656-0303.

About Mt. Zion’s Therapeutic Sports Ministry

The need for this ministry was inspired by Mt. Zion member Robert Gordon Jr., 18. Gordon was born with spina bifida and paralyzed him from the waist down. In the ninth grade, he found his niche in sports on the Tampa Bay Strong Dogs wheelchair basketball team. Last summer, he left high-school level basketball to join the Orlando Magic Wheels. He qualified as an alternate on the Men’s USA Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball team. Gordon is also on the junior team bound for Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

A lot of hard work and preparation has gone into ensuring the success of this vital outreach ministry. TSM has brought on two individuals with extensive sports and recreation experience. Coach CeCe, a former collegiate basketball player and high school coach will manage and direct program activities. She also brings experience from the City of St. Petersburg Recreation Department’s Therapeutic Sports Program management.

Joining her is Rev. Willie Whiting, who has 33 years of supervision and program experience with the City of St. Petersburg’s Recreation Department, including 10 years supervising the city’s wheelchair basketball program at Frank W. Pierce Recreation Center, formerly Bartlett Park.

The City of St. Petersburg has pledged to support TSM with the use of wheelchairs, program advisory, semi-annual therapeutic sports clinics, and exhibition and program promotions.