BIG NEWS & EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM UFBA

Upstate Franchise Basketball Association is thrilled to announce that we are expanding our community outreach and training opportunities for our players. With new partnerships and an exceptional grant from DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation’s Sports Matter Program, we will be broadening our reach to positively impact our athletes, and our community at large.

And, SAVE THE DATES... the UFBA 2025 tournament schedule has been released! Information can be found here, and registration details will be shared by email next week. We can’t wait to see our returning - and new - players and families soon!!!

Read below for the exciting happenings in the world of UFBA. Much has happened since last season, and there is so much to look forward to...

UFBA PARTNERS WITH DESTINED FOR GREATNESS

TO EXPAND COMMUNITY REACH

With great pride, it is an honor to share that we have partnered with Destined For Greatness (D4G) to elevate and expand the programs we offer our athletes and the greater Rochester community!

Damon Garfield began the idea of D4G while doing outreach for Youth Interventional Counseling for Pathways of Peace with the Rochester Mayor’s office in the early 2000s. Mainly focused on gang-behavior and transitional individuals, he used an intervention perspective rather than prevention. To expand his work with youth, Garfield created an AAU basketball league, leading to seven youth basketball teams in which he incorporated spiritual and moral values, while providing a positive outlet for children to engage in. This began the foundation of Destined For Greatness.

D4G trains, teaches, tutors, coaches, and advises area youth and adults in various vocations, athletics and arts, fitness and well-being, civic and community participation, and development. Its programs include youth athletic and wellness outings, conferences, and on-the-job training. To learn more about D4G and the impact they’ve had over the last 12 years, visit here.

Details to follow as plans for collaboration develop. We can’t wait to unite with D4G and enhance our programs!

$20,000 GRANT RECEIVED TO FURTHER THE MISSIONS OF UPSTATE FRANCHISE BASKETBALL & DESTINED FOR GREATNESS

To support the efforts of Upstate Franchise and Destined For Greatness, DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation's Sports Matter Program has awarded us with a $20,000 grant which will be used for equipment, and to further the missions of our organizations to offer meaningful programs to develop youth into leaders, on and off the court. UFBA and D4G are deeply grateful to the DSG Foundation and its efforts to support nonprofits such as our own. We appreciate the opportunities that this grant will afford, and look forward to our plans unfolding as the new season begins.

Join us on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3rd for an ALUMNI BASKETBALL GAME to celebrate this grant, featuring players from Rochester’s new ABA team - the Rochester Royal Ballers - and many other outstanding players who grew up playing Franchise! Game time is 7pm and includes a check presentation from DICK’s Foundation and opportunity to meet the players. This is sure to be an epic, fun family event. COME ONE, COME ALL - THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!! Location details to follow.

CHARITY EVENTS BRING COMMUNITY TOGETHER

FOR GREAT CAUSES

Over the last few months, our list of community sponsors has grown significantly as several businesses and individuals have supported UFBA with donations and participation in our fundraising events. As a thanks for their support, we strongly encourage you to support these local businesses, featured on our website. We are so grateful for their support and look forward to this list growing.

Our annual Suicide Awareness Golf Tournament and Reppin' the ROC Cornhole Tournament of Champions brought in funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and UFBA player scholarships. These wouldn't have been possible without our players, volunteers, or the support and generosity of the Sycamore Golf Club and South Bay Bar & Grill. UFBA would like to express our sincere gratitude for all who supported these events with a special nod to our friends who helped set up and run our cornhole tournament. We're already planning for next year and hope to see our UFBA community at future events!

Upcoming events include the UFBA Inaugural Game Day Fundraiser and Football Squares. We have been fortunate to receive donations from community businesses for this event as well and are so appreciative of the support UFBA receives. There is still space on the bus to the Bills/49ers game - help us fill it and maximize funds raised for player scholarships! Even without a game ticket, you're sure to have a good time. Please also consider buying a square and share this opportunity with family and friends - the fuller the game board, the more we raise for scholarships. See info here and contact Erin or Coach Kemp for details.

If your business is interested in sponsoring UFBA, please let us know. There will be various fundraising opportunities throughout the year, please consider supporting as our players benefit directly from these efforts.

NEW TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

In addition to all of the great things already mentioned, we’re also happy to share that we’ve partnered up with the following organizations to offer more to our players:

ROCHESTER ROYAL BALLERS

We proudly share that one of UFBA’s former players - George Graham, always a strong team leader - recently founded the Rochester Royal Ballers, the new ABA basketball team in the ROC. The Royal Ballers are stacked with UFBA alumni and we’re excited to see them succeed in their first season! Great talent comes out of UFBA!!

The Royal Ballers offer year-round training for players in kindergarten, and beyond college (information can be found on our website). Registration is on a rolling basis, and players get their first session free if they mention UFBA. To take advantage of this generous offer, reach out by email and get the ball rolling with your player's training!

Follow the Royal Ballers here to stay up-to-date with home games, and stay tuned for info on a UFBA Game Day. In the meantime, be sure to support our home team as they take on competitors from across the region, and show up in style, rockin’ your UFBA gear! OPENING HOME GAME IS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH AT 7PM AT ROBERTS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY!

HOOPsSTRENGTH

For many years, HoopsStrength has supported UFBA with training programs and facilities, and we appreciate the value they continue to bring to our teams. Taking a holistic approach to basketball training, addressing physical fitness but also mental toughness, skill development, and injury prevention, HoopsStrength offers a variety of options to elevate the game with a focus on individual goals, skill level, and position on the court.

In addition to year-round training, their newer state of the art facility offers shooting machine rentals, dribble stations, and full court rentals. Visit the HoopsStrength website to learn more.

NEXT LEVEL HOOPS

UFBA is excited to announce that we’ve also partnered with Next Level Hoops (NLH) to offer year-round training development programs to help players maximize their potential. NLH is a high-quality basketball training company for basketball players ages 10+, offering intensive, innovative basketball development programs designed to give athletes an extra edge to compete at the highest level possible.

Coach Ray Smith, NLH Director with 19 years of experience as an assistant college coach, is dedicated and passionate about helping youth excel within a positive learning framework. He focuses on individual development and growth through the instruction of high quality basketball. UFBA players receive a 20% discount on all training programs; just mention UFBA in your registration. Visit the NLH website to learn more and register for upcoming programs.

HOOP 'N HOLLA

As part of our D4G partnership, we also look forward to collaborating with Hoop ‘N Holla in various ways, with details to come soon. With a strong presence in the community, and a goal to positively impact ROC youth with a focus on leadership, mentorship and training, Hoop 'N Holla has been making a difference in the lives of Rochester youth for years. Get a sense of their good work here.

In the video below, Coach Anderson summarizes the power of mentorship and Hoop ‘N Holla's approach, stating: “We’re committed to working with Rochester’s youth to develop all aspects of positive character development from basketball skills, to life skills. We mentor our kids to succeed in school, and lead in life.” Upstate Franchise is thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate and bring more to our game.