Published: 20/01/2010 10:23 - Updated: 20/01/2010 12:26

YOUNG people in Ashbourne are being encouraged to follow in the footsteps of Paralympian hopeful and Queen Elizabeth Grammar School pupil Beth Foster as part of a new sporting project.

 

Go Boccia aims to develop the Paralympic sport of boccia — a form of indoor bowling — in Derbyshire by encouraging disabled young people to play the sport.

The project has received funding from the Derbyshire County Council Youth Opportunity Fund and has been granted the Inspire Mark — the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme.

This funding will allow five community boccia groups to be set up in the county, with venues to be confirmed, helping to increase sporting activity for disabled young people in Derbyshire.

The funding will go towards hosting under-15 and under-25 county tournaments, and to provide boccia training for coaches.

Boccia, which is pronounced botcha, is played from wheelchairs, from which players must aim a set of coloured balls as close as possible to a white marker ball, similar to bowls.

The game is mixed gender and can be played both individually and as part of a team.

Ashbourne’s Foster competed in boccia at the Special Olympics in Leicester last year and has represented the East Midlands at the National Finals.

The new project could allow young people to go one further — the 2012 Paralympics.

Sebastian Coe, chair of the Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic games, said: “Go Boccia! is encouraging young disabled people in Derbyshire to fulfil their potential.

“I am proud that with the help of partners such as Derbyshire Sport, we are delivering on our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in disability sport.” Catherine Slater, Derbyshire Sport disability sport development officer, added: “This project will give young people an opportunity to not only become physically active, but to develop their confidence, boccia skills, social skills and a personal level of independence.

“It really reflects all of the Olympic and Paralympic values, and so it is fantastic to be recognised and granted the Inspire Mark and be part of the legacy that London 2012 will bring.”