Bocce great example for games

By Ryan McCracken on July 8, 2017.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

The first event of the Alberta Summer Games Special Olympics was quite fittingly its most inclusive.

The sport of bocce allows athletes of all levels of skill and motor function to compete across its various divisions. Medicine Hat Special Olympics bocce coach Vincent Paiement says it’s “the type of sport that absolutely anyone can play,” which is what the games are all about.

“It’s really all-inclusive,” said Paiement. “Every type of fitness level can play which is great because some athletes aren’t as physically active depending on what they’ve grown up with.”

Players from Medicine Hat and Lethbridge took the field at the Family Leisure Centre on Friday afternoon for the divisioning round, which determines where the athletes will compete for the rest of the weekend. As far as Medicine Hat’s Terri Didack is concerned, it’s the start of something golden.

“I’m planning to win the gold and go on to Nova Scotia next year, that’s what I’m planning,” said Didack, adding she can’t wait to get Saturday’s competition underway. “It’s been too long. It seems like two years ago we found out about it and now it’s here, it’s awesome.”

Paiement added his team is used to playing the game outdoors, which could prove for a challenge on the Family Leisure Centre’s speedy turf surface, but given the heat wave planning to roll through town over the weekend he says they’re happy to be inside.

“We hosted a qualifying tournament last year, which was outside. It wasn’t quite as warm as this and it was still tough on the athletes and referees and volunteers. So we’re extremely pleased to be inside,” he said. “There’s a little bit of a question mark as far as (the turf) goes but everyone’s really excited and we’re really hoping to pull out our best here this weekend.”

The good news is they’re not alone. Lethbridge bocce player Scott Nickel says he too is used to playing the game on a true grass surface, but the patient competitor has a plan in mind.

“This is my first competition É I’m going to watch them and copy them,” said Nickel, motioning to the players already competing and adding no matter the outcome, he’ll still have the Highway 3 bragging rights over his Medicine Hat rivals. “I’m glad that the Lethbridge Hurricanes beat the Tigers in the playoffs.”

Bocce continues Saturday and closes out Sunday at the Family Leisure Centre.

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