First virtual Boccia inter-insular ‘a brilliant idea’
Boccia battle lines were drawn virtually at Beau Sejour’s sports hall yesterday as three teams from Guernsey faced off against their Jersey counterparts, without needing to leave the island.
A target version of the Paralympic sport, which involved competitors launching balls towards a scoring area with different points values, was streamed live via a television screen to both islands so that teams could see how their opponents were performing.
There were five players to a team, with each player having six balls to contribute to their team’s overall score.
On the day it was Guernsey who triumphed, with the three teams from Guernsey Alzheimer’s, Guernsey Mobility Let’s Go and St Martin’s Primary School each winning their matches.
Co-organiser Nicky Will said the idea for a virtual inter-insular match was floated about a month ago.
‘It was driven by Guernsey Mobility Let’s Go here and by Jersey Mencap over there,’ she said.
‘Big thanks must also go to Olly Tracey at On Screen Creations and 3Ci in Jersey for providing the technology to make it possible.’
She emphasised the organisers’ delight at being able to put on an accessible inter-insular event for those with disabilities.
‘It’s all gone so well, it’s been competitive but friendly and it’s great that we have been able to get opponents from elsewhere involved for our players to test themselves against.’
She hoped the event would be the first of many virtual clashes between the two islands, and said floor curling – similar to the Winter Olympic sport of curling - was another sport which had the potential to be played virtually.
‘Any game that’s based on an individual score could be suitable,’ she said.
Guernsey Mobility Let’s Go team member Andy Lemee said he had only got into boccia recently after becoming almost completely blind 18 months ago.
‘Someone told me about a boccia open day that was being held a few months back so I thought I’d give it a go, my wife took me along to it.
‘I never thought I’d be part of something like this, it’s a brilliant idea, and surprisingly competitive.’
To gauge how far to throw his ball, Mr Lemee said he relied on assistants – on this occasion pupils from St Martin’s – to make noises near the target.
‘The noise helps me judge how much effort to put into my throw.’
St Martin’s school team member Amelia Sarre, 9, said her school had been introduced to boccia only a few weeks ago, with Year 5 pupils coming to Beau Sejour every Tuesday afternoon to help out with classes.
‘I’ve found it really fun, it’s different to other sports but you get used to it,’ she said.
‘Today’s competition was a bit nerve-racking but I’m really happy we managed to win.’
