Tokyo may be just around the corner but plans are already being put in place to help the next generation of British boccia stars.
A series of Boccia UK Challenger events – designed to help prepare and propel up and coming athletes – will take place over the next four years and have been boosted by financial support from Get Kids Going!
Get Kids Going! is a national charity which gives disabled children and young people, up to the age of 26 years, the opportunity of participating in sport.
Boccia UK’s Performance Director Helen Nicholls says:
“In the next cycle, we will be working towards the Paris Paralympics in 2024. The Challenger events will help ensure that athletes coming up through the ranks are well prepared and well supported to compete at an elite level. The Get Kids Going! grant will help us create the champions of the future. Boccia is a tactical and experience-based sport, and this support allows us to give athletes an environment where they can develop and thrive.”
Jane Emmerson, CEO of Get Kids Going!, explains:
“Finance is often a significant barrier for young people when it comes to attending events, particularly disabled athletes where care support is also a requirement for competition, so we are delighted that we can help to remove some of the barriers to participation at the Challenger events. We want disabled children and young people to have every opportunity to enjoy and excel at boccia.”
Get Kids Going! also helps equip young, talented athletes with bespoke sports wheelchairs and helps towards the cost of training and equipment.
Louis Saunders is currently Britain’s brightest young prospect and his journey to the Paralympics has been boosted by support from Get Kids Going! This has allowed him to purchase a new seating system which will support him to play in an optimal position.
The 19-year-old from Bognor Regis is hoping to compete at the Tokyo Paralympics and he will be eyeing an individual podium position at the Paris Games in 2024.
Louis says:
“The support from Get Kids Going! has made a huge difference – the new seating system means I am now much more accurate on court and more comfortable. The charity is really helping to fulfil my dreams.”