Successful Start to Boccia Season with Scots Collecting Medals on International Stage

By Emma Logan, Communications Manager 

The year kicked off with welcoming Northern Ireland to a training camp in February, held at the renowned Inverclyde Sports Centre in Largs. The camp provided the perfect opportunity for players to refine their skills, boost creativity and focus amidst a competitive but friendly environment. 

Just one month later, some Scots headed over to Belfast to compete in the Disability Sport NI International Challenger. Alex Medley, from Perth Eagles Boccia Club, competed in his first individual international event – finishing fourth in the BC2 category. It was a great opportunity for Alex to test his skills and tactics against top seed players. 

Things got serious in April as boccia players from around the world gathered first in Zagreb, then Montreal for some world class competitions.  

The Zagreb World Boccia Challenger proved to be a very successful season opener for the Boccia UK squad, which took home eight medals – four of which were won by Scots, Stephen McGuire and Kayleigh Haggo.   

Stephen topped the podium twice, taking the individual BC4 title ahead of the BC4 pairs alongside England’s Sophie Newnham. Meanwhile, Kayleigh made personal history by claiming the bronze medal in the individual BC2 event – her first individual international medal. She followed this up with another bronze in the Team event.  

The medal momentum continued in Montreal for Stephen. He found himself in yet another final but this time had to settle for silver as Yuk Wing Leung (HKG) defeated him, 5-2.  

Patrick Wilson was also in action and found himself in the BC3 quarterfinals after a 7-6 victory over Howon Jeong (HKG) in the pool stages. Australia’s Daniel Michel ended his campaign in the competition.  

Medal momentum continued at the World Boccia Challenger in Lahti, Finland as Kayleigh, Patrick and Tyler McLelland all claimed a medal. Kayleigh took victory in the BC2 event, to win her first ever gold in an international individual medal, with Tyler finishing third in the BC4s. The bronze medal marks his first international individual (senior) medal. Patrick found success in the BC3 event, winning gold to wrap up Boccia UK’s individual medal haul. Stay up-to-date on the action via SDS’s X account. 

The players have got a jam-packed itinerary over the upcoming months in the lead-up to the Paralympics. Scottish representation should also be present in Sao Paulo at the end of May for a World Cup, ahead of the Poznan Challenger and Póvoa de Varzim World Cup in July.  

Good luck to all the athletes.