VIC update: Melbourne Metro Movement
What a fabulous start of the year it has been in Melbourne Metro Bocce.
The start of 2023 has brought us some exciting bocce developments starting with the commencement of the Tuesday night open training sessions with three of our elite players: Tony Palermo, Angelo Parisi and Dino Mikolic.
I got to spend some time with Angelo Parisi who said: “Our new kids are enjoying the game of bocce. Their training and development involves playing games to increase their skill level as well as fun throwing exercises to build their throwing skill”.
We have seen a fabulous increase in attendance, especially with the juniors. It has also been great to see members of our senior and elite players taking part in the training sessions to improve their skills and providing enthusiasm and encouragement to the upcoming juniors.
Parisi also stated that the more elite players in the junior league are “training well and with great spirit. They cannot wait for Brisbane”.
Increased junior participation has increased with thanks to the support and encouragement of Dino and Diana Mikolic promoting within the local schools within the area.
Opening Training Sessions
Every Tuesday evening from 7pm
Veneto Club Melbourne – 191 Bulleen Rd, Bulleen.
The first quarter has brought us the second Bocce Team Challenge hosted by the Veneto Club Melbourne. The Bocce Team Challenge brings together the novice players to develop their bocce while enjoying a bit of banter, socialising, and sport, with a touch of fun competition between teams.
We spoke to Sonya Velo of the Veneto Club today who said: “It was a nail-biting end as the teams were a draw after the six ends – which culminated with a one-end playoff. Both teams nominated their best three to ‘bowl off’ for the ‘winner takes all’ end”.
Melbourne Mix ended up taking first place with Hofsters taking runners-up.
Velo has also stated that it has been a joy to see the bocce courts and what a fabulous opportunity this competition brings a vast group of people of mixed abilities to ‘come and try’ the sport of bocce.
The next Bocce Team Challenge will take place in Spring 2023, with dates and a location to be confirmed shortly. Details will be posted on the Bocce Victoria Facebook and Instagram pages.
VIC update written by Laila Favrin.
NSW update: Bocce NSW 2022-23 State Championships
The Bocce NSW 2022-23 State Championships were successfully held at the Dural Country Club on the weekend of April 15-16, 2023.
The top 11 men’s and four women’s senior teams from the regular season took part in the doubles competition with women’s singles and men’s bowl/throw finals rounding out the competition.
The weekend was a great success with fierce competition, some close and surprising results, and generally a wonderful finale of the 2022-23 season.
The presentation dinner was well attended with delicious food and drink enjoyed by those who were there to support bocce in NSW.
The Bocce NSW committee, led by Joe Rozzo, also took the opportunity to award special presentations to a newly inducted life member and a long-standing supporter of bocce in NSW.
Congratulations to the finalists and winners below, and a huge thank you to Anna Morelli, her volunteer and the Dural Country Club for hosting the event.
Men’s doubles
- Winners: David Samsa and Daniel Samsa
- Runners up: Ivan Desanti and Carlo Pavia
Women’s doubles
- Winners: Nella Chiandotto and Antonietta Ruscio
- Runners up: Ann Fioravanti and Santa Bruzzesse
Women’s singles
- Winner: Nicole Samsa
- Runner up: Nella Chiandotto
Men’s bowl/throw
- Winner: Daniel Samsa
- Runner up: Stefano Chiandotto
Special presentations
- Inducted life member: Aldo Calacoci (Dural)
- Long-standing service and support of bocce: Iris Soldi (Fraternity Club)
NSW update written by Carlo Pavia, Bocce NSW.
WA update
It was another big weekend of bocce at the 19th WA Bocce State Championships which was held at the Tuscany Association over the weekend of March 24 – 26.
The championships was opened in style with our Special Olympics WA athletes playing at the event. Their weekly bocce program being held at the Lagune Veneto Bocce Club is obviously a great success, as their talent on the court put pressure on our players! It was so special to listen to Sara as she highlighted what the program involves and how successful the WA team was in Tasmania at the National Special Olympics last year.
Under the guidance of tournament director Erminio and chief referree Italo, all players and spectators were treated to some great bocce over the weekend. This, along with some incredible meals provided by the hard-working committee at the Tuscany Association, made for a wonderful weekend – the banter among the players was great to witness.
Congratulations to all our winners, and a special mention to the Azzurri Club for being crowned the 2023 Club Champions.
For more photos and information, please follow us on Facebook at Bocce WA
WA update written by Nicola Tutt.