PALADINS ATHLETIC ORGANIZATION, Inc.
A Not For Profit Corporation
Paladins Athletic Organization
The Paladins Athletic Organization was formed in 2003 by a small group of men and women who enjoy playing co-ed softball. Our vision was to establish a safe and nurturing environment for the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender (GLBT) community. By encouraging an opportunity for athletics, along with safer sex diversity education, we have succeeded in creating an active and growing sports environment with a mixed population across all adult age groups.
From a rag tag team that started it all, to the success of today, growing from 10 members in 2003 to almost 100 today. Today we have five teams, three playing on the Sunday South
Each year we are personally responsible for two annual softball tournaments, hosting more than 1500 players and supporters (each) from around the country and world. Both of these tournaments raise Thousands of dollars for our local charities. We were part of the host committee as well as providing all the volunteers for the 2006 North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) World Series, hosting over 3000 athletes and supporters, helping to make it a huge success, by raising over $24,000.00 for local charities.
We hold weekly and quarterly clinics and/or practices to help recruit and train the new athletes along with advancing the more seasoned.
We provide financial assistance to teams and individual athletes to afford them the opportunity to compete in a league and also participate in local and national amateur athletic tournaments.
We provide local leagues with volunteers and support to help sustain their programs. We also provide financial assistance to local charities.
Today we are continuing to move forward, signing a two year lease on our new office and conference area, this office will allow the community a central meeting facility, also a work and storage environment for the organization. Paladins Athletic Organization The Paladins Athletic Organization is dedicated to the promotion, financial support, and nurturing of amateur athletics and to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS throughout the community for all persons regardless of age, race creed, religion, sex or national origin, with a special emphasis on the participation of members of the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual & Transgender) community. Our vision is to promote athletic achievement and amateur competition both locally and nationally, to help sustain our local amateur athletic leagues by means of both volunteers and financial assistance. We aspire to provide our community opportunities to derive all the benefits inherent in participating and volunteering in amateur athletics in a safe and all-inclusive environment along with sensitivity towards diversity. “Miracles do happen”
Thank you to all of our contributors!!
