AAD at PPA

Empower Youth. Ignite Greatness.

FREE Monthly Saturday Youth Sports & Development Program

Basketball. Athletic Development. Community. Opportunity.

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Alford Athletic Development (AAD) is excited to return to Persistence Preparatory Academy (PPA) for another season of empowering Buffalo's youth through sports, mentorship, and meaningful community experiences!

Led by Coach Deleon "Coach D" Alford and the AAD team, this free monthly Saturday program is designed to help young athletes develop their basketball skills, build confidence, strengthen friendships, and discover their potential in a positive, supportive environment.

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Whether your child is brand new to basketball or already loves the game, everyone is welcome, regardless of experience or skill level!

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Program Details

• Location: Persistence Preparatory Academy, 378 Urban Street, Buffalo, NY

• When: One Saturday per month, November 2026 – June 2027

• Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Who: Students in grades 1–8

• Cost: Completely FREE!

• Capacity: 40 students per session — 35 spots reserved for PPA scholars and 5 spots for surrounding community youth

• Registration: Required in advance; space is limited

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What to Expect

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Basketball & Athletic Development

Get moving with Coach D! Students will participate in basketball fundamentals, skill-building drills, athletic development, team challenges, and activities that encourage teamwork, discipline, confidence, and sportsmanship.

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Community Connection

Students will enjoy a lunch break, recharge, and connect with their peers.

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Sports, Creativity & Community

Students can return to the gym for more basketball and recreational activities or enjoy our supervised community room featuring creative projects, games, music, and opportunities to socialize with friends.

Our goal is to create a space where every child feels welcomed, encouraged, and included.

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Confirmed 2026–2027 Program Dates

• Saturday, November 14, 2026

• Saturday, December 12, 2026

• Saturday, January 9, 2027

• Saturday, February 13, 2027

• Saturday, March 13, 2027

• Saturday, April 10, 2027

• Saturday, May 8, 2027

• Saturday, June 12, 2027

All sessions run from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

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More Than Basketball

For Coach D, this program is personal. Growing up on Buffalo's East Side, he understands how important access to positive mentorship, athletic opportunities, and supportive environments can be.

Through AAD, Coach D is passionate about giving young people the opportunities and encouragement he wishes he had growing up. We believe one mentor, one opportunity, or one positive experience can help change the direction of a child's life.

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Ready to Join Us? Register for Our Next Saturday Session!

FREE to attend | Grades 1–8 | Limited to 40 students per session

We're excited to welcome PPA scholars and children from the surrounding Buffalo community to AAD at PPA!

To give as many children as possible the opportunity to participate, registration opens at the beginning of each month for that month's Saturday program.

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How Registration Works

• Registration opens on the 1st of each month for that month's session.

• Each session has 40 available spots: 35 for PPA scholars and 5 for surrounding community youth.

• Registration is first come, first served.

• Families must register again each month they wish to participate.

• Registration for future months is not available in advance.

• Once a session reaches capacity, families may join the waitlist

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Important Attendance Policy

Because this program is free and space is limited, we kindly ask that families register only if their child plans to attend.

If your child can no longer participate, please notify AAD as soon as possible so we can offer their spot to another student on the waitlist.

Our goal is simple: Give as many Buffalo children as possible the opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun!

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REGISTER FOR THIS MONTH'S SESSION BELOW