Glynllifon win boccia tournament attended by Team GB star and Commonwealth Games sprinter
The ‘Boccia Bonanza’ involved Skills for Life and Work learners from Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, Glynllifon and Coleg Ceredigion
Glynllifon students won a boccia tournament attended by Team GB player Tomas Martin and Commonwealth Games para sprinter Morgan Jones.
The ‘Boccia Bonanza’ in Dolgellau was for Skills for Life and Work learners from Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, Glynllifon and Coleg Ceredigion.
It was organised by Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and supported by Disability Sport Wales (DSW) and Colegau Cymru.
Glynllifon came out on top following fierce competition all day between the teams.
Boccia is a paralympic sport in which athletes throw, kick or use a ramp to propel a ball onto the court, with the aim of getting closest to a 'jack' ball.
The students had the perfect role model to teach them the game at Glan Wnion Leisure Centre, with Welsh boccia champion Tomas Martin attending the tournament.
Tomas represented Britain in last year’s World Boccia Challenger in Italy, and is boccia coordinator for DSW.
Also involved were Morgan Jones, who competed in the 2018 Commonwealth Games 100 metres and is DSW performance pathway senior officer, and Stefano Antoniazzi, DSW’s regional partnership senior officer for Mid Wales, and a former footballer and coach.
Tomas said: “We've had such a lovely time here in Dolgellau today. Boccia is a sport for everyone - every disability can take part.”
Tomas, who hopes to represent Team GB at the Paralympics, is optimistic that learners will have been inspired by the tournament.
He said: “I've been playing for 20 years, having started off recreationally by going to a sports camp. I progressed on to competing for Wales, and last year I got the opportunity to represent Great Britain out in Sardinia.
“Who knows, one day we might see one of these students representing Wales.”
Lois Peris Owen, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor wellbeing activities officer, said: “When organising an event like this, you realise just how much preparation is required. However, the outcome is always worth it and the Boccia Bonanza was no different.
“It was lovely to see all learners take part and compete in recreational Boccia as a way to promote active wellbeing. All feedback from learners and staff who attended was positive, and it was apparent that the learners gained a lot of experience and skills from the event.
“This event wouldn't have been possible without the help of Colegau Cymru, who invited external colleges to attend, as well as Disability Sport Wales, who provided their expertise and knowledge of Boccia on the day.”
Rob Baynham, Colegau Cymru Active Wellbeing and Sport project manager, said: “It's fantastic to see colleges and Disability Sport Wales working together to create inclusive sport opportunities for FE learners.
“There has been a significant increase in the number of Independent Living Skills learners participating in sport and physical activity across Wales via the Active Wellbeing project, with competitions like the Boccia Bonanza providing learners with new and exciting experiences. Congratulations to all involved.”
