The Rollers sweep the board at boccia finals!
The climax of the Vale of Glamorgan adult boccia league has
been celebrated with a presentation afternoon at the New Horizons
Day Centre in Barry.
Forty-nine players from 11 teams took part in the eight-week
league, which for the first time, included teams from Bridgend and
Cardiff.
The Vale-based Boccia Rollers swept the board with three of
their teams securing success for the club. The Celts won, the
Titans finished in second place while the Warriors did well to
finish in third place.
The other Vale-based teams to compete were The Barry Bluebirds
and Spitfires representing New Horizons and three teams from Vale
Plus – the Fliers, Hotshots and Strikers. There were two teams from
Cardiff this year – the Highfields Horrors and the Innovate Trust
‘A’ team – and the Blue Pirates flew the flag for Bridgend.
Assembly Member Jane Hutt, minister for children, education,
lifelong learning and skills, attended the presentation event with
Cllr Gwyn John, Vale Council cabinet member for leisure and
tourism, and Karen Davies, the council’s sports arts and play
development manager.
The special guests were delighted to present the players with
their medals and certificates. To mark the success of the three
Boccia Rollers teams, the club were awarded a commemorative trophy,
shields, and plaques.
Linda Ruston, the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Disability Sports
Wales Development Officer, helped organise the tournament. Linda
said: “Well done and thanks to everyone who participated, including
our referees and scorers. Our thanks are also extended to our
support staff, without who there would be no league.”
Cllr Gwyn John added: “The league increases in popularity year
on year. It’s about more than just wining. Instead, it focuses on
participation, team spirit, sportsmanship and most of all, having
plenty of fun!”
Very similar to French boules, boccia was originally created for
those with cerebral palsy, but is now widely played by individuals
of all abilities. Three players and a maximum of two reserves make
up a team. Players must be seated and in turn must either roll,
throw or flick their coloured boccia balls to be closest to the
white jack.
To find out more about boccia or other disability sports
opportunities, contact Linda Ruston on 01446 704728 or visit
www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/disabilitysports.
Captions: Players from the 2007 Vale adult
boccia league with the Vale Council cabinet member for leisure and
tourism, Cllr Gwyn John, Assembly Member Jane Hutt, minister for
children, education, lifelong learning and skills, and Linda
Ruston, the Vale Council’s Disability Sports Wales Development
Officer.