By William Moncrieff, Communications Officer.
Ability Shetland, one of Scottish Disability Sport’s (SDS) member branches, has been working hard to deliver boccia sessions to care homes throughout the island.
These sessions are being delivered by 67-year-old Avril Starmore. The way that boccia makes people feel is her favorite thing about coaching.
“It’s about seeing the smiles on their faces when they realise they can do something. I take a ramp for the ones that are not able to hold the balls in their hands to deliver a shot. So they put the ball on a ramp and they just push it down, and you should see the smiles on their faces when they get it into the right area,” said Avril.
Avril’s infectious enthusiasm for the sport has been wearing off on many of the participants.
“They really enjoy it. When you first go in, they say, ‘I’m not playing’. Then you play a few warmup games with them and by the time you are finished, they are asking, ‘oh when are you coming back, that was good, we really enjoyed that’,” Avril commented.
Both Avril and Ability Shetland have been working hard to ensure that opportunities are being provided in rural locations throughout the region. This commitment has seen Avril travel to some of Shetland’s outer islands, Yell and Whalsay. This has been made possible for Avril through the use of her Motability Scheme car and with the help of her sponsors Kay and Kay Transport.
Avril has also enjoyed seeing the competitive side of the participants come out. Avril said: “The first time, we play about with a few wee games and then we go into it a bit more. Then by the third or fourth game they are saying, ‘right come on, we want to get right into it.’”
Avril has also been finding creative ways of getting players interested, saying, “What I have been doing this summertime is a big competition – the red team against the blue team. Everyone got a medal and then the winning team got certificates to put up on the wall. We are now going to look to do it in the next term on the lead up to Christmas.”
There are also a lot of important physiological and psychological benefits for the participants.
“They are sitting there and they are moving, even if it’s just moving their arms, and they are all talking to each other,” Avril said.
The boccia sessions are also providing a unique social experience. “I’ve found there is a big difference, all of them are talking more,” said Avril.
“When I first started going, they just sat and looked at each other. Now they are talking to each other and talking to me, all whilst they are playing.”
These positive effects that Avril has noticed, are being reinforced by staff from the seven care homes she visits. “I went to one care home yesterday, and they said, ‘can you come back on maybe a Wednesday or Thursday as we have different groups then’,” Avril said.
Avril has also noticed how staff are always eager to join in too, saying: “If there is ever an odd number, there will always be a carer joining in.”
Avril has passed her Boccia Leaders Award and is now working towards her Level 1 Boccia Coach Award. She explained how she always does her best to make her sessions as inclusive as possible.
“I will have people saying, ‘I can’t play because I can’t see’, and I will explain how I can put bright orange and white markers on the floor to help them. We make it as inclusive as possible so that there is no one sitting out.”
Avril is due to travel over to the mainland later this month, for the Scottish Learning Disability Sports National Summer Games. Fellow Shetland volunteer, Charis Scott, and a group of boccia players will accompany her.
Avril explained how the group are all excited about having an opportunity to represent the island. “They are all really looking forward to it. Two weeks’ time and we will be on the ferry.”
Good luck to the whole team.
If you would be interested in finding out more about boccia opportunities in your area, you can do so by reaching out to your Regional Development Manager. This manager will be able to provide you with information on local opportunities to get involved as a volunteer, coach, official or player.
Alternatively, you can contact SDS’s Boccia Development Officer, Jonathan Kennedy, by email: jonathan.kennedy@scottishdisabilitysport.com.
To keep up-to-date with all things disability sport across Scotland, follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook and Instagram.
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