The competition saw 16 English athletes make the journey to Wales in what was a competitive test. With illnesses and injuries affecting the pathway coaching team and some athletes, the experienced trio of Dan Bentley, Kim Smith and Barry Bowden supported the team throughout the weekend, for which Boccia England are hugely thankful for.

 

 

A lofty target was set prior to the competition, with an aim of 4 podium finishes overall, with one podium in each classification. This meant expectations and pressure were high for the first UK championships since 2019.

The group stages were highly contested with high scoring games and some high-quality performances, which ended with 9 English athletes making it through to the knockout stages or equivalent.

  

The semi-finals and finals didn’t fail to disappoint with some exceptional Boccia being played throughout all the home nations and some standout performances from our English squad.

Exceeding expectations and smashing our medal target, an incredible 6 English athletes come home with medals and 3 athletes finished in a hard-fought 4th place.

Position

BC1

(Country)

BC2

(Country)

BC3/ Ramp Operator

(Country)

BC4

(Country)

1st

David Smith

(Eng/Wal)

Claire Taggart

(Northern Ireland)

Jamie McCowan/ Linda McCowan

(Sco)

Louis Sanders

(Eng)

2nd

Richard Armstrong

(Eng)

Kayleigh Haggo

(Sco)

Scott McCowan/ Gary McCowan

(Sco)

Sophie Newnham

(Eng)

3rd

Robert Morgan

(Wal)

Reshad Saraj

(Eng)

Will Arnott/ Connor Welfare

(Eng)

Stephen McGuire

(Sco)

4th

Rachel Bailey

(Wal)

Jason Rolph

(Eng)

Sally Kidson/ Lauren Kianchehr

(Eng)

Penny Froude

(Eng)

  

 

We would like to thank Disability Sport Wales for hosting and running a fantastic competition and we would also like to thank all the Boccia England volunteers who travelled and took part in the competition, as without your continued support and sacrifices this weekend wouldn’t have been possible.

 

Competition photos, curtesy of Claire Morrison/Boccia UK