A NEW PARTNERSHIP MODEL: Bay Area Outreach Program

Soccer is a game that involves two teams competing against each other with the objective of shooting the ball and scoring on one another. However, for BORP and Senda, soccer is so much more than just a game. Soccer is a transformative experience; by playing the sport, a sense of community and belonging is forged. Thus, the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program is an example of soccer for social change.

One of Senda’s main objectives is partnering with nonprofit and local soccer organizations to help accelerate the process of soccer for social change; this is accomplished by providing soccer equipment to underprivileged communities. Senda couldn’t be more proud to partner with BORP in leveraging the game to allow children and adults who once dreamed of playing soccer the ability to make a difference through soccer for social change.

(Photo-Scot Goodman)

BORP stands for Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program and serves as a non-profit organization working to improve the health, independence and social integration of people with physical disabilities through sports, fitness and recreational programs. They view soccer for social change as vital to improving the integration of the community. At BORP, they believe that sports and recreation provide a path to greater achievement to which all people should have access to, and they continually strive for soccer for social change.

(Photo-Scot Goodman)

One of the main programs that BORP provides is power soccer. Power Soccer is the first competitive team sport designed and developed specifically for people of all ages and genders who use a power wheelchair.

Power Soccer combines the skill of the person with the speed and power of the chair, to create a fun, competitive, and accessible opportunity to play the most popular sport in the world, soccer. The game is played in a gymnasium on a regulation basketball court. Two teams of four athletes in power wheelchairs pass, dribble, and spin-kick a 13-inch soccer ball in an attempt to score goals.

Power soccer is giving both children and adults opportunities to integrate and feel part of something greater through soccer for social change. The feeling of belonging to a team and playing a sport is like no other.

(Photo-Scot Goodman)

Together, BORP and Senda are enabling individuals in the community to enjoy soccer throughout the Bay Area. Together, we are spreading the message that soccer is much more than a ball, it is a way to effect soccer for social change.