Gill's story

Perfect to play together

As carers we often feel we cannot play sport as we are unable to leave the person we look after. However, the bowling game of boccia (pronounced bot-cha), is perfect to play together. Players may throw, roll, head, kick or propel an orange-sized ball down a ramp using their hands, nose or pointers fastened to their helmets. The aim is to propel balls as close as possible to a white marker. It’s played from a seated position on a court similar to the size of a badminton court. Many community clubs welcome disabled people and their carers to play competitive boccia together.

I was introduced to boccia when I was asked if I’d be second responsible adult and accompany my son’s comprehensive school team to a regional competition. Little did I know that this activity was to shape the rest of my life. My son’s potential was quickly spotted and, although he’s a non-verbal wheelchair user, he was awarded a sports scholarship for university and is now an International Wales player. At Gareth’s level, there are many more rules and he competes against similarly disabled ramp players. I act as his ramp assistant, controlling it according to his head and arm movements with my back facing away from the court and not being allowed to communicate myself.

 I’m on the first rung of Boccia England’s referee pathway and have a Boccia Leaders Award, which allows me to organise community sessions. The community club that I organise plays to simplified rules on a smaller-than-normal court and the enthusiastic players shout, sing and cheer. Carers are encouraged to join in at no cost.

I have even learned to referee in basic Welsh and have introduced boccia to several local community clubs – all of whom now have their own fun sessions. My son himself goes to a higher-level club some distance away and, pre-Covid, drove thousands of miles a year to English club sessions, Welsh training and national competitions. 

A champion sportsman

When we moved, the practice nurse performed a new patient assessment and commented that there was no point in asking Gareth if he took part in exercise. He hit the roof – little did she know her patient was a Welsh champion sportsman!

One of my proudest moments was seeing Gareth lead the large Chinese squad into the arena at the closing ceremony of the Boccia World Cup held in Liverpool in 2018. Then as we were leaving, we were stopped by the President of the International Paralympic Committee who had spotted Gareth’s Welsh flag and wanted to talk about our country and Gareth’s involvement in boccia!