Students lead first Sussex Boccia tournament for adults with learning disabilities

SUSSEX’S first Boccia league community games involving adults with learning disabilities has been organised by students of the University of Chichester.

More than 60 competitors from community groups across the region met at the institution to challenge for the title of best team within the two counties.

The indoor Boccia tournament, a precision ball contest for athletes with severe physical disabilities, was led by students of the BA (Hons) in Sport Development and Coaching to encourage competitors to engage in different activities.

Programme leader Philippe Crisp said: “Sport brings together people from all walks of life and this competition was very successful in getting the participants involved in new activities.

“Not only were our students responsible for managing the tournament itself but they also coached the participations – a few have even told me of their intentions to go into teaching after university in special educational needs.

“This wouldn’t be the first time as a number of our previous sport development and community coaching students now work in education and special education needs since graduating.

“Projects such as these offer all those involved a valuable experience and bring to life much of what we teach and reflect the University ethos of community engagement.”

The community games, the first of their kind in Sussex, saw teams of four compete against each other in more than 20 matches throughout the day.

The tournament was led by University students alongside Out There, which organises activities each week for more than 400 adults with learning disabilities, and regional charity Active Sussex.

Boccia England were also present on the day to explore the possible beginnings of an inclusive sporting event which could be held each year.

The tournament was part of a series of community engagement projects led by those on the Sport Development and Coaching and Community Sport Coaching programmes which underpins its teaching with experience of coaching in the community.

All projects are run in conjunction with Out There who have worked in partnership with the University for more than five years now.

Undergraduates Beth Taylor, one of 25 on the course, said: “This was such a rewarding experience.

“I want to become a PE specialist at a disabled school when I graduate and leading community tournaments such as this one has given me skills to interact with lots of people and manage big events.”

Competitors of the tournament, all aged between 18 and 50-years-old, each received a medal or certificate at an awards ceremony following the event.

A player from participating school Woodlands Mead said: “I have really enjoyed today, it has been so much fun to meet lots of other people who enjoy playing Boccia as much as I do.

“I would really like to come to more of these types of events as it not only helps me to get better at Boccia but it helps me to make new friends too, which makes me feel more confident.”

A second Boccia league event will held in East Sussex later this year.

To find out more about how students of the University of Chichester are using sport to encourage community engagement visit www.chi.ac.uk/sport.

Alternatively for more about the work of Out There go to www.outreach3way.org or for information of about Active Sussex go to www.activesussex.org.