Boccia Roller Warriors retain title - 14/12/06
Boccia Roller Warriors have retained their champions tag in
this year's Vale of Glamorgan Adult Boccia League.
Organised by Linda Ruston, Disability Sport Wales Development
Officer for the Vale, the league, now in its fourth year, boasted a
record 10 teams and an impressive 42 players.
The sides were from New Horizons (three), Boccia Rollers (four),
ValePlus (one) and two from Highfields, Cardiff, and matches were
played over a 10-week period at Barry Leisure Centre.
The culmination of the league was a presentation ceremony at New
Horizons, Barry, when Cllr Maureen Kelly-Owen presented all
participants with a commemorative medal and certificate. In
addition, the Warriors – James Savory, Lucy George, Christopher
Hartery and John Harris – received a shield.
The second and third placed teams – Boccia Roller Dragons
(Heather Williams, Susy George, Alistair Cann and Oliver Johnson)
and Boccia Roller Vikings (Richard Fields, Dawn Stephenson, Paul
Bumford and Jonathan Wright) respectively – received plaques
Linda Ruston thanked the players, staff and volunteers for their
sterling work, and the referees for their expertise and commitment.
She added: "Over the past four years the teams have grown in
numbers, experience and expertise. The league is about more than
just winning - it’s about participation, team spirit,
sportsmanship, camaraderie and, most of all, having plenty of
fun.”
Similar to boules, boccia was originally created for people with
cerebral palsy but is now widely played by individuals of all
abilities. It can be played as singles, pairs or triples, and
players can throw, roll – using a ramp if needed – or kick the
ball. The basic principle is to score more points than your
opponent by positioning balls close to a target ball. Boccia is
played recreationally and competitively – up to Paralympic level –
by both the disabled and able bodied.
To find out more about boccia or other disability sports
opportunities, contact Linda Ruston on (01446) 704728 or visit
www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk