South Australia update
Exciting doubles competition at the Fogolar Furlan Club
On Sunday, September 22, 2024, the South Australian Bocce Federation Inc. proudly hosted the Distinctive Funerals Competition at the Fogolar Furlan Club. The event showcased spirited competition among fourteen duos of bocce players, creating a delightful atmosphere for all involved.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Distinctive Funerals for their ongoing support, as well as to the ladies who provided a wonderful morning tea and the Fogolar Furlan Club for the delicious lunch. Special thanks to Jack Daniel for preparing the boccedrome and to Gennaro Galasso for officiating the matches.
Although the sponsor was unable to attend, prizes were graciously presented by Maria Ciaramella and Filomena Meggetto, Committee Members of the South Australian Bocce Federation.
We are pleased to announce the winners of the Distinctive Funerals Competition:
- First: Angelo Addabbo and Gerry Covino
- Second: Lidia Addabbo and Steve Maglieri
- Third: Carlo Meggetto and Erminio Ranaldo
- Fourth: Peter Ross and Ernie Palmer.
Victoria update
Bocce is back! 2024/2025 season kicks off with fun, competition, and friendships at Casa D’Abruzzo!
The 2024/2025 bocce season kicked off with an exciting start at Casa D’Abruzzo! It was great to see so many familiar faces back for another year of fun, competition, and friendly chats. The place was full of energy as players and supporters reconnected after the off-season, sharing stories and enjoying their love of bocce.
A special mention goes to Marty and Trish Corelli from the Furlan Club for driving the bocce bus to Morwell, picking up the Morwell players and guests, and safely bringing them home after the event. This was a kind gesture from Bocce Victoria, showing their support for including Morwell in this year’s calendar and their commitment to supporting regional communities.
The day was filled with fantastic matches, with everyone showing great skills and fair play. A big congratulations to all the players for their efforts. Casa D’Abruzzo did a wonderful job hosting, and they provided great prizes to the winners, making the end of the day even more special.
In the women’s category, Morwell came in first place, Bocce United took second, and Casa D’Abruzzo came in third. For the men’s category, Casa D’Abruzzo swept the board, taking first, second, and third places.
We’re excited for more great events this season and look forward to a year of fun, competition, and new friendships in bocce!
Special Olympics
Over the past seven years, my involvement with Special Olympics Inclusive Sports in Schools has taken me to numerous schools across the Melbourne metropolitan area. Typically, I visit two schools each year, dedicating one day a week for three to four weeks at a time.
In the year leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, we hosted seven schools at KICC for a half-day bocce carnival, which saw participation from 70 students. This event was coordinated in collaboration with a key teacher from Croydon Special Developmental School (SDS). Since then, we have continued our school visits, participating in their day expos and bocce classes.
This year, we had the pleasure of visiting Monash SDS twice, where we arranged for some students to experience playing on the official bocce courts at KICC in Rowville. Typically, we have about 10 to 12 students per session, and during our latest visit, we had two teams of 10, including both teachers and students, at our club. After a brief demonstration, they eagerly began playing and were thrilled to discover their target skills. It was a rewarding experience for everyone involved, and the students had a fantastic time learning and enjoying the half-day event. I used a large target mat, which worked perfectly for the students’ activities.
To recognise their participation, we usually present the students with a participation certificate along with a small sports gift, which has included items such as mini footballs, sports bags, and drink bottles.
We are currently awaiting confirmation for other visits, both at school for a one-day, two sessions per week over four weeks, as well as sessions at KICC bocce drome in the new year.
I look forward to continuing this rewarding journey and fostering inclusive sports experiences for all students.
Written by Michael Migliaccio, Special Olympics Australia Volunteer and Coach – Victoria.
Queensland update
Girls just want to have fun
Fun was the name of the game with the Wellington Point Girl Guides attending a glow-in-the-dark evening for two hours at Redlands Bocce Centre on Thursday, October 10.
Fifteen girls and three guide leaders participated in a competition using our target mats. The evening got underway with the guides making their own glow-in-the-dark wrist bands, sorting themselves into teams of three and choosing team names.
Next, it was onto the courts to watch a demonstration by Chiara Tomasi and Abbey McKenna on bowling and having a practice session. Let the fun begin! With music blaring and great anticipation, the competition began. Congratulations to the Golden Oldies (guide leaders) for winning first place, to Neons for placing second, and Better Neons placing third.
It was then time for a well-deserved break, where the guides reenergised with a packet of chips and a juice box. Then back onto the courts to watch a throwing demonstration into tyres by Chiara and Abbey. The guides were so impressed they wanted to have a go. Kerrie guided them through the three-step method. Some real talent emerged.
The feedback was very positive with one of the guide leaders wanting to organise a vacation care session for about 30 students. Plans are underway to invite the Capalaba Girl Guides for a session in 2025.
Written by Kerrie Reitano.
New South Wales update
Bocce at LCC
It has been another great and busy month at Liverpool Catholic Bocce Club (LCC). We’re always pleasing our club members with weekly competitions, which they throughly enjoy, and look forward to playing and winning.
We continue to work hard to prepare our junior national players towards achieving their best at the international junior championships in Puerto Rico.
Also, our usual junior players are continuing to train and working hard to improve their skills and game development. Thanks to all who come on Mondays and Wednesdays – everyone is welcome.
We celebrated Adrian’s seventh birthday at the club too – thanks for letting us celebrate with you.
The LCC Inclusion skaters also visited us last Saturday for a few hours. They gave bocce a go while they hung up their skates.What a great way to get to learn bocce by using target mats, glow-in-the-dark bocce balls and old tyres. They had a lovely barbecue dinner and went home satisfied and energised. The participants loved the new challenge and promised to come back again soon. Thank you to all who supported and worked with our new visitors.
Our members continue to use the facilities and everyone is welcome.
Thanks again, the LCC bocce committee.