Regional titles on offer

Regional titles on offer

Talented boccia players from all over the South Island are currently honing their skills in preparation for the third major boccia tournament of 2014.

Hosted by Boccia New Zealand, with support from Parafed Canterbury, the South Island Boccia Championships are due to be held at the Graham Condon Recreation and Sports Centre in Christchurch on August 16-17.

Currently ranked number 4 in New Zealand in the BC1, 2 and 4 combined grade, Rangiora’s Jeremy Morriss looks set to climb the national rankings ahead of the New Zealand National Championships to be held in October.

“Boccia is a highly skilled and strategic Paralympic sport that tests each competitor’s degree of muscle control and accuracy and can be played almost anywhere,” Boccia New Zealand Director Luke Morriss says.

Seated, athletes throw, kick or use a ramp to propel six leather balls as close as possible to a white target ball, the jack.

“For some players our regional Championships are a great sporting and social opportunity and serve as their first step into competitive boccia, whilst others such as Matthew use these events as a chance to track their progress towards success at our bigger tournaments later in the year“, said Morriss.

For a sport that relies heavily on volunteers, Morriss says “the tournament is also highly beneficial for family members, friends, significant others and volunteers who are interested in becoming mentors /coaches or referees”.

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