Boccia at Derbyshire Youth Games
Boccia was launched at this year's Derbyshire Youth Games for the first time. The game is a version of bowls and is an accessible sport for everyone to play. Each game consists of two teams of three players aiming to get as many of their coloured balls (red/blue) as close to the white jack ball as possible.
Entering the competitions this year were Derby West (2 teams), Chesterfield (2 teams) and High Peak (1 team). All teams played each other in a round robin event in the morning, each game consisting of 2 ends. After lunch, the teams reconvened for the semi finals:
High Peak vs Derby West (a)
Derby West (b) vs Chesterfield (a)
These games were highly competitive and closely fought, resulting in the final being contested between:
High Peak vs Derby West (b)
A full game of 6 ends was played with Derby West (b) taking an early lead. High Peak came back strong in the last two ends of the game, however Derby West sealed the victory by 4 points.
Derby West (b) were presented with medals by Zoë Edge, Boccia medal winner for the Great Britain Paralympics Team, who had umpired each game. Each participant received certificates. Also 4 players were selected to attend the trials day for the Regional Boccia competition to be held in September, with the finals being held on Saturday 1st October at Nottingham Trent University.
Congratulations to Derby West (b) for winning the competition, but also congratulations to all participants for making the day competitive and enjoyable. All teams played to the highest level of fair play, which provided the event with an excellent atmosphere.
Thanks must also go to the volunteers, Zoë Edge, Dean Morley, Mick & Dylis Edge, for their hard work on the day. Also thanks to the team managers and supportive parents/carers.
The event was a great success and has provided opportunities for some players to play at a higher level. Boccia is a sport that will see much development over the next 12 months so that next years Youth Games will see an increase in teams entering to make the event more successful than DYG 2005.
If you would like more information on Boccia, please contact:
Emma Champion
Derbyshire Sport Development Officer (Disabled People)
Tel: 07769 631 432
E-mail: emmachampion@highpeak.gov.uk
Address:
Cultural Services,
High Peak Borough Council,
Hayfield Road,
Chapel-en-le-frith,
High Peak,
SK23 0QL