Paul Coffey appointed Assistant Head Referee for Asian Games

Dunedin man Paul Coffey appointed Assistant Head Referee for Asian Games

Roseneath man Paul Coffey is looking forward to yet another international assignment later this year at the Incheon 2014 Asian Para Games in Korea after being appointed as Assistant Head Referee at the largest boccia event in Asia this October.

The Incheon 2014 Asia Para Games is a big event with about 6000 people from 42 countries (4500 Athletes and 1500 Team Officials) competing in 22 Sports.

“It should be an excellent tournament. The Asian countries are very welcoming and the standard of play is always excellent” said Mr Coffey.

The object of boccia is to place as many balls as close as possible to the white target ball, while preventing your opponent from doing the same.

A long-time volunteer in the sport since the mid 90’s, Mr Coffey has been an international referee since 2003 when the World Cup was hosted in Christchurch. Since then he has regularly been invited to officiate around the world to competitions in Greece, Canada, Hong Kong, China, England and Australia.

“Paul is widely regarded as one of the world’s top boccia referees with his calm demeanour and as a result he is often used to help upskill local referees each year” said Luke Morriss, the New Zealand Director of Boccia.

The Incheon 2014 Asian Para Games form part of the qualifying process towards the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games and will take place over the course of a week.

Fellow New Zealand referee Carol Armstrong from Hamilton has also been selected as an international referee for the event which caps off a stellar year for kiwi officials in the sport with Auckland man Harvey Brunt selected as Head Referee for the Beijing World Championships in September.

Contact Boccia New Zealand or visit www.boccia.org.nz for further information.

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