The 2019 BISFed European Boccia Championships concluded over the weekend and it was a hugely successful event for Boccia UK and an important milestone in Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games qualification.
The British team of 10 players, included four members of the Scottish programme, including: Reegan Stevenson (BC1), Patrick Wilson (BC3), Jamie McCowan (BC3) and Stephen McGuire (BC4). These players were supported by a further three Scots in lead coach, Claire Morrison and ramp assistants, Linda McCowan and William Wilson.
Individual Competition
The competition began with the individual event and there were some tough matches for all players.  McCowan and McGuire managed to progress to the quarter finals whilst Stevenson and Wilson bowed out in the group stages. McCowan reached the Semi final following a very good performance, whilst McGuire’s individual competition ended with a 3-4 defeat. Sadly, McCowan had to settle for 3 / 4 play-off following defeat in his match. McCowan won the European Championships in 2017 and he used all his experience in the bronze medal match to ensure that the he reached the podium.
Team & Pairs Competition
The European Championships ended with the Team & Pairs competition and it was this event that delivered a huge amount of success for the Scottish players.
Stevenson was making his debut at this level and is the most recent Scot to progress through our programme to represent Boccia UK. Â He formed a Team with David Smith (BC1), Will Hipwell (BC2) and Claire Taggart (BC2). The Team battled through the competition to deliver a bronze medal and much needed ranking points ahead of Tokyo 2020.
In the BC3 Pair competition Wilson and McCowan teamed up with Jess Hunter, in a now very experienced trio. They developed through the group stages and finally bowed out at the semi final stages. However, they delivered a bronze medal in the 3 / 4 playoff.
The BC4 Pair, led by Stephen McCowan, included the ever improving Evie Edwards and Louis Saunders cruised through the group stages, won their quarter-final and their semi-final. However, the final proved a bridge too far and they had to settle for a silver medal.
Boccia UK will be delighted with the outcome of their latest major championships as the players and the coaching team continue their preparations for next years Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
Full Boccia UK Results
Individual
BC1: David Smith (Gold)
BC2: Claire Taggart (Silver)
BC3: Jamie McCowan (Bronze)
Team and Pairs
BC1/2: Reegan Stevenson, David Smith, Will Hipwell, Claire Taggart (Bronze)
BC3: Jamie McCowan, Patrick Wilson & Jess Hunter (Bronze)
BC4: Stephen McGuire, Louis Saunders & Evie Edwards (Silver)
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