Victoria update
Boosting bocce participation: A new era for Deer Park Bocce Club
Bocce Victoria (BV) and Bocce Australia (BA) recently visited the Deer Park Bocce Club, where they are collaborating with Brimbank Council, Deer Park Bocce, and Special Olympics West to enhance community participation.
This initiative comes on the heels of a significant upgrade: in addition to their five covered outdoor courts, Deer Park Bocce Club has received a new, enclosed, and covered two-court bocce center, courtesy of Brimbank Council. This state-of-the-art facility is set to be the heart of a series of events scheduled between August and December 2024, aiming to showcase this vibrant Maltese community-run club.
During the visit, BV and BA representatives had the pleasure of meeting with Mario, the President of Deer Park Bocce Club, and Gavin Dovey from Special Olympics West. Together, they discussed the exciting open days and activities planned to attract new members and raise awareness of the club’s offerings.
One of the key initiatives includes Special Olympics West’s Open Training Saturdays, starting from August 24 through to November 23, held every second week. These sessions, with an entry fee of $5, are specifically designed to welcome participants with special needs, along with their carers and families, to experience the joy of bocce.
In addition, Bocce Victoria will host ‘Come and Try’ sessions for the local community, offering a chance to test out the new courts. These events are scheduled for Sunday mornings on September 8, October 6, and November 3 from 11am to 12pm. The focus will be on encouraging women to join in, with experienced bocce players on hand to ensure a fun and engaging experience.
This collaborative effort highlights the commitment to making Deer Park Bocce Club a hub of activity and inclusivity, celebrating the sport and the community that supports it.
Special Olympics coaching workshop Victoria
After I attended my first bocce coaching course at Casa D’Abruzzo in 2018 with Tony Biancacci, I thought it would be beneficial for other members of Special Olympics and mainstream bocce players and coaches to also attend the course.
In 2019, I organised another coaching course with Tony Biancacci, which included 10 volunteers from Special Olympics along with a few seasonal mainstream bocce federated players and coaches. Special Olympics athletes were introduced to new bocce training techniques and tactics, leading to improved skills and increased confidence in their gameplay. As a result, they achieved more success, winning additional medals at both state and national games.
This year we are delighted to announce a renewal of the all-inclusive bocce coaching course on Sunday, November 17, not only for those that attended 5 years ago, but for all bocce A-Vic federated players and Special Olympics volunteers. This coaching course accreditation is valid for five years.
This will be beneficial for all mainstream players and Special Olympics volunteers to learn and understand more of the Special Olympics bocce rules, on and off the courts, ensuring the all-inclusive all-ability sports will grow over the years.
As per the Special Olympics players oath: Let me win, but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt.
Find more information and register for the workshop here.
Written by Michael Migliaccio Special Olympics Bocce Coach.
South Australia update
On Sunday, July 21, the South Australian Bocce Federation Inc. hosted the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority Enfield Mausoleum Darren Leuders Memorial Cup at the Fogolar Furlan Club. There was intense competition between the fourteen duos of bocce players, however all friends at the end of the day.
Thank you to Adelaide Cemeteries for their continued support. Thank you to all the ladies who provided the wonderful morning tea. Thank you to Jack Daniel and Peter Ross for preparing the boccedrome and thank you to Gennaro Galasso for refereeing. The sponsor was unable to attend and the prizes were presented by Anna Piccirillo, the Vice President of the South Australian Bocce Federation.
The winners of the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority Enfield Mausoleum Darren Leuders Memorial Cup are:
- First: Raffaele Zollo and Max Anedda
- Second: Miranda Sella Gianot and Erminio Ranaldo
- Third: Franca Ross and Giuseppe Minicozzi
- Fourth: Filomena Meggetto and Carlo Meggetto
Written by Antonia Zotti.