Hello. My name is Raphael Edwards. I'm from Brooklyn New York born and raised. A  former pro basketball player / former Nike athlete and I've been helping people doing private personal training for over 20 years.  I've always had a skill and  passion to help others. My mom told me in kindergarten I would memorize everyones lines in the school plays and when my classmates would forget I would help them out and whisper their lines to them.  As an adult The feeling to help others physically / health wise grew more intense after watching a few close friends pass away from poor health options.  

I cover everything from obese clients to high performance professional athletes, to 8 year Olds and high school kids. Helping others is my talent and my way of giving back.  Over my years I've watched adults and extremely talented kids that needed the proper training but couldn't afford it and that's always bothered me.  


A few years ago Nike hired me to run 8 basketball camps throughout different cities in China simultaneously. I was responsible for the basketball curriculum,  hiring of 40 other basketball coaches / trainers, and a long list of other duties.  Over 200 kids in each city  attended those Nike camps. These kids would have never been able to afford this level of Training / teaching or even know where to find it if not for Nike covering the bill.  I saw first hand the difference we were making in those kids lives and always wondered can that same blueprint work here. Private funding for someone  less fortunate Training. 


After giving it serious thought I'm here now to start a program that helps Jr High and  high school kids that are high powered athletes get the proper professional training that they wouldn't be able to afford on their own. While I know many more people than top tier Jr high / high school athletes need help I would like to start small with one group for ten weeks of professional training. 5 - 6 days a week,  2 -3  one hour sessions each day.  


The name is The  S.A.N.D Training program ( Superior Athletic Natural Development ) 


I'm starting this Gofund now to help raise money for the S.A.N.D Training program to give these kids 10 weeks of the training they need.  The curriculum in the program  includes Basketball skills, physical athleticism,  and mental toughness.

The funds cover all the fees associated with the time with these young athletes insuring they receive In-depth training in skills, mental/emotional game knowledge, equipment, gas/travel, rental spaces , and more. The fund can be comparable to a scholarship.