Boccia part of Liverpool 2027 groundbreaking event

Great Britain’s boccia stars are today welcoming the announcement that Liverpool is set to make history from 2-8 May 2027 as it hosts a new groundbreaking Inclusive Sport & Culture Festival (ISCF). The event - first-of-its-kind in the UK - will bring together Paralympic athletes with a world class disabled-led arts and culture programme on a shared world stage.

Taking over the city’s iconic waterfront — including the M&S Bank Arena and exhibition centre at the Liverpool Experience Campus, the neighbouring Salthouse and Albert Docks, and Pier Head - the week-long festival will transform the city into a vibrant hub of energy, creativity and elite performance, redefining how sport and culture can be experienced together.

david smith obe in liverpool ahead of the 2018 world championships at exhibition centre

The UK Sport-owned concept will showcase four international sport competitions across Boccia, Para Athletics, Wheelchair Rugby and Paracanoe, delivered in partnership with Boccia UK, UK Athletics, Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby and Paddle UK, alongside a groundbreaking arts and cultural programme, commissioned by Arts Council England, delivered by Culture Liverpool and led by deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists.  

The four sports at the heart of the festival will each bring their own extraordinary spectacle. The highly tactical and precision-based World Boccia Cup, which counts towards Paralympic qualification, will be held at the Exhibition Centre from Monday 3 to Friday 7 May.

European Champion Sally Kidson said:

“It’s absolutely fantastic to not only be able to host an international event in the UK, but a World Cup and a multi-sport event. Hosting high-level events in the UK is so important to raise awareness of boccia, as we often get little public visibility and even less public understanding of the sport at its highest level. It will be amazing to compete alongside our UK Sport colleagues from other sports and hopefully this event will further our progression in making boccia more well-known in the UK and riding the wave of shining a spotlight on disability awareness in the UK.”

european champion sally kidson welcomes more visibility for paralympic athletes

Paralympic gold medallist Stephen McGuire is looking forward to competing in Liverpool::

“Liverpool is one of the great sporting cities in the UK, with such a proud history of hosting major events and passionate support from local fans. Bringing disability sport to a city like Liverpool is hugely important for visibility and inspiration because it gives people the opportunity to experience Boccia and other Paralympic sport at the highest level. Events like this help continue growing awareness of disability sport while showing what we do. With so many family members living in Liverpool this event will be truly special.”

stephen mcguire says liverpool event will inspire future generations

And David Smith OBE - who has fond memories of becoming World Champion in Liverpool back in 2018 - said:

“Its great to have Boccia back in Liverpool nine years after the World Championships. Having international competition in the UK is hugely important for sports like Boccia to inspire the next generation and to help the sport gain more publicity.”

At the heart of the festival will be a dynamic Athletes’ and Artists’ Village — a living, breathing space where competitors, creators and audiences come together. It will be more than a venue hub; it will be a shared community celebrating excellence, identity and connection throughout the week.

Taking place just ahead of the LA 2028 Paralympic Games, the Festival will also play a vital role in athlete preparation while elevating the visibility of disabled talent across sport and culture onto a global stage. It will shine a spotlight not only on elite and world class performance, but on the stories, creativity and cultural impact that surround it. 

At its core, the festival is designed to bring sport and culture together as one experience - creating a powerful shared platform that celebrates excellence, creativity and representation for artists and athletes, while driving greater opportunity and long-term social impact. Core funding includes a £2.3m contribution from the National Lottery and a £1m grant from Arts Council England.

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:

“This is an innovative, ground-breaking concept and it’s fantastic to see plans progress and the vision start to come to life.

“We are well-known for our track record of delivering world-class events in Liverpool, and we are set to make history once again with this festival as the first event of its kind in the UK.

“The community we are creating as part of Inclusive Sport and Culture Festival will celebrate excellence, identity, and connection - bringing together athletes, artists, and audiences, in a truly accessible and inclusive way. 

“Together with our partners, we want to redefine how sport and culture can be experienced collectively and amplify visibility and opportunities for people with disabilities throughout our community and beyond.”

Esther Britten, Head of Events and External Affairs at UK Sport: said:

“We’re proud to be bringing this new festival to Liverpool, creating a unique multi-sport platform for world-class Paralympic sport and a bold, disabled-led cultural programme. Providing more competitive opportunities for Paralympic athletes is a key priority for us, and this event has been designed to support athletes on the road to LA 2028, while showcasing the depth of talent this country has to offer.

We’re especially excited to be working alongside Arts Council England for the first time, bringing sport and culture together to celebrate excellence, challenge perceptions and open up new opportunities.

Liverpool is a city known for its energy and creativity, and this event, made possible thanks to National Lottery funding, will leave a lasting impact on how inclusive sport and culture are experienced across the UK."

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said: "Our country is home to brilliant, awe-inspiring world-beating disabled artists and athletes. This major investment will shine a light on their creative and sporting excellence, boosting national pride and inspiring the next generation of outstanding performers, whether that’s in the arts or in sport."

Delivered in partnership with UK Sport, ParalympicsGB, Arts Council England and Liverpool City Council, supported by Liverpool Accommodation BID, the Festival represents a major collaboration across sport, culture and community, with ambitions to create a lasting legacy both locally and nationally. Through moments of joy, pride, energy and togetherness, it will offer audiences a chance to witness history as it happens in one of the world’s most iconic waterfront cities.

For more information & to register your interest for tickets go to: http://iscfestival.co.uk/

Five medals for GB in Finland

 British boccia starts made a solid start to the 2026 season, winning five medals at the Boccia Challenger Finland.

Both David Smith OBE – Britain’s best ever boccia athlete – and Stephen McGuire MBC, Paralympic gold medallist, won gold in the individuals.

McGuire, from Lanarkshire, remained undefeated in Finland, winning the final on a tense tiebreak to Andrii Okulov of Ukraine. The world number one said:

“Winning gold in the opening event of the season is a fantastic way to start 2026. It gives me a lot of confidence moving forward. It’s been a positive week in testing new equipment, continuing to work on tactics and putting all the work from winter training into competition, where you’re put under pressure.

“There’s still a long season ahead though, with the Astana World Cup in Kazakhstan only two weeks away. The focus now is building on consistency, improving with each event, and being in the best possible shape for the World Championships in Seoul this August.”

Smith is also keen to put a marker down for his opponents this year, as he and his team-mates gear up for the World Championships in July:

“The start of this season confirmed that I’ve been doing the right training over winter. Lots of scenarios cropped up that I’ve been preparing for and so I had the confidence to exploit those situations.

“I can now relax a bit and I’m looking forward to playing a bit more freely at the Astana World Cup in Kazakhstan next month. I won’t be changing any approaches in my game though – it’s just about resetting and taking my execution and risk-taking a bit further,” explained the Swansea player.

DAVID SMITH WON GOLD IN THE 2026 SEASON OPENER IN FINLAND - CREDIT: ESSI KULTANEN

Smith went on to win a second silver with the Team, alongside Ayr’s Kayleigh Brown and London’s Reshad Saraj:

It was the first tournament back for Brown. She stepped away from the court last July after winning bronze at the European Championships, before welcoming baby Klay in October.

And she certainly made a definitive comeback, winning silver in the individuals, after losing to world number seven Chantal Van Engelen in the finals:

“I’m really pleased, my goal was to enjoy the competition so to medal twice was a bonus. It was challenging at times especially if I could hear Klay crying when I was on court but Sophie and Kev made the perfect support team and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

KAYLEIGH BROWN WITH BABY KLAY - SHE WINS SILVER IN FINLAND

Adding to the haul for Great Britain, European Champion Sally Kidson bagged bronze in the BC3 women’s category.

Outside of the medals, Louis Saunders from Surrey put in some solid performances, narrowly losing in the quarter-finals to world number five Artem Kolinko.

Lanarkshire’s Fiona Muirhead played in a round robin format, and while she didn’t medal, she was able to score points against tough opponents, including world number 12, Natalia Konenko.

UK rankings - your questions answered

For the first time, Boccia UK has launched official UK Rankings to help show how players across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are doing in competitions.

Lots of people are wondering how the rankings work, so we recently invited you to drop us your questions.

Who is included in the UK Rankings?

Any BC1–BC4 athlete who competes in eligible events and represents:

• England

• Scotland

• Wales

• Northern Ireland

How often will the rankings be updated?

The rankings will be updated after every event that counts, including:

·        National Championships

·        Domestic Challengers

·        UK Championships  

How do players move up or down the rankings?

Players earn points by winning matches. Your UK ranking is based on your best four results from the last 24 months.

More wins = more points = moving up the rankings.

Why don’t the rankings include older events?

Because this is all brand‑new, we needed a clear place to start. We spoke to the Home Nations organisations – Boccia England, Disability Sport NI, Disability Sport Wales and Scottish Disability Sport – and we agreed that the 2025 UK Championships is the first event that counts. This also helps us match the way World Boccia does things.

Do international results count for the rankings?

No. The UK Rankings only use results from UK competitions, including:

• UK Championships

• Domestic Challengers

• National Championships

We want to see more players taking part in events across the UK and we hope the UK rankings not only strengthen competition but also encourage more athletes to get involved. 

Why aren’t Great Britain’s top international players ranked highest in the UK rankings?

It’s because the UK Rankings only use UK event results. Our World Class Programme athletes don’t have to compete at home (because they are so busy playing internationally!) – and that’s why you might not always see them at the top of the UK rankings.

Doing it like this means we have a clear picture of UK competition results and performances.

But, to keep things fair at UK events, players with world rankings are seeded using their world ranking. This stops our top players meeting too early in knockout rounds.

How will selection work when places are limited?

We want selection to be fair for everyone. Boccia UK is working with all Home Nations to make the system simpler, because each nation currently does things differently. We will be sharing a full Competition Strategy by the autumn. For now, athletes should speak to their Home Nation about entering competition because many events still have spare places.

Why has Boccia UK introduced official rankings now?

We have been in talks with everyone involved for some time. And we’re so pleased they are now live. We have introduced them to help build a clear pathway for players. They:

• show how well players are doing

• help with seeding at competitions

• support wildcard decisions for the UK Championships

Where can I view the current rankings?

You can view the latest rankings and full policy here: https://boccia.uk.com/uk-rankings

If you have more questions, just get in touch.

Kayleigh makes boccia return after having baby Klay

After months of winter training, Great Britain’s boccia stars are preparing for their first tournament of the season.

The 2026 opener is Boccia Challenger Finland in Pujalahti which will see 88 athletes from 20 different countries compete for medals. Competition kicks off on the 9th May.

It will see the return of Kayleigh Brown who has been on maternity leave since July.

KAYLEIGH WITH BABY KLAY

The 27-year old Ayrshire athlete, who has several world records in frame-running, setting her first at the age of 12, made her debut for Boccia UK in 2022.

She has gone on to compete at the Paralympics. After just two years in the sport, she reached the quarter finals in Paris. Last season, she won bronze at the European Championships while six months pregnant.

Kayleigh, who is married to Kevin, her sports assistant, said:

“There’s a good line up for in Finland with 16 BC2 females attending. My goal is to enjoy the competition and find a good balance with Klay being there. This is my first tournament since having Klay and it will be great to have him at a tournament – but I’m sure it will be a learning curve. I’m a bit nervous about the lack of sleep but I have assistants to help and hopefully I can have some day time naps to catch up.”

She will play individually before joining up with David Smith OBE, a three-time Paralympic gold medallist – and Reshad Saraj from London in the BC1/2 Team event.

David – who lives in Swansea and is currently ranked world number three – said:

“My aim this season is to win the World Championships and set a marker for my rivals. In the BC1s, I'm looking forward to playing everyone inside the top 10 and especially those above me in the rankings. In the Team, we are looking to play lots of different opposition and refine how we play together.”

IMAGECOMMS: DAVID SMITH COMPETING AT PARIS PARALYMPIC GAMES

Paralympic gold medallist and world number one Stephen McGuire, from Lanarskhire, is also aiming to build on an excellent 2025 season, ahead of the World Championships later this year:

“I’m looking forward to kicking off my season in Lahti. It’s an important chance to get competitive matches under my belt, while testing new equipment and applying the work I’ve put in over the winter.”

He competes in the BC4 category and he will be joined by West Sussex player Louis Saunders and Fiona Muirhead, also from Lanarkshire.

LOUIS SAUNDERS FEATURES IN gb’S SEASON OPENER - CURRENTLY RANKED WORLD NUMBER 15

Wiltshire’s Sally Kidson is Britain’s only representative in the BC3 category in Finland. She is the reigning European Champion and is currently ranked world number nine.

Boccia UK backs UK Anti-Doping's Clean Sport Week 2026: Built not bought. 100% me.

Boccia UK is proud to support Clean Sport Week (taking place from 11–17
May 2026), the annual awareness campaign led by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) that
champions fair play, integrity and drug-free sport.

This year's theme, ‘Built not bought. 100% me.’, celebrates athletes who achieve true,
lasting success through hard work, talent and commitment. It sends a clear message:
champions compete clean and don’t take shortcuts.

Clean Sport Week 2026 comes at a critical time. There is growing concern across the
sporting and fitness community, about the marketing and availability of Image and
Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs) online, including Selective Androgen Receptor
Modulators (SARMs).

There is an increasing amount of content online promoting the use of SARMs to young
people, with claims that these are ‘safer alternatives to anabolic steroids’. This is not
the case. They are dangerous, not for human consumption and are banned in sport.
UKAD is using Clean Sport Week to shine a light on this misinformation and to remind
people not to risk their health, career and reputation by taking these substances. Don’t
swallow the lies.

Boccia UK is committed to ensuring that athletes from elite competitors to
grassroots participants and young fitness enthusiasts, have access to accurate
information and are empowered to make healthy, drug-free choices. The message is
simple: just don't risk it. True success is built, not bought.

To find out more about Clean Sport Week and access resources, visit
www.ukad.org.uk/clean-sport-week.

Pairs perfection and world‑level focus: Stephen McGuire’s season review

We’re continuing our Boccia UK Q&A Series with another giant of the sport - Stephen McGuire, Paralympic gold medallist, World number one, European Champion and one of the most experienced BC4 athletes in the world.

Last season brought some huge moments for Stephen: double gold at the European Championships and a clean sweep of Pairs titles with Sophie Newnham. He reflects on the lessons learned, the toughest matches, and the training environment that keeps pushing him forward.

stephen mcguire winning gold at the european championships

From refining tactical control to preparing for a landmark World Championships in Korea, Stephen shares an honest look at what drives him, what he’s working on, and why experience - and enjoyment - matter more than ever.

Last season highlight - What was your best moment from last season?

I had a couple of standout moments that I’m really proud of. Winning double gold at the European Championships was incredibly special. However, what really stands out is that Sophie and I won gold at every Pairs event we entered last year. Watching Soph progress to world number one, andus finishing 2025 with both the male and female BC4 world number ones, is something that takes incredible consistency and belief.

Tough matchest - What was the hardest match you played and why?

The toughest match of 2025 was against Hong Kong at the World Cup in Korea. Both Pairs were packed with regional champions and Paralympic medallists. We performed really well, even though Hong Kong came out on top. It was one of those matches where, despite the result, we learned the most.

Big lesson - What important lesson did you learn last season?

As I get older in the sport, I’ve realised how important it is to cherish every moment representing my country. It’s about celebrating every medal and celebrate enjoying the success of your teammates as much as your own.

stephen mcguire and sophie newnham who won every pairs competition they entered in 2025.

Team support - How did your coaches or teammates help you last season?

We have a very close training group in Scotland. We meet weekly, and the environment is ideal for learning, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other. That positive environment set domestically makes a huge difference.

Favourite event - Which event did you enjoy the most and what made it special?

The World Cup in Korea was my favourite event. Everything ran so smoothly, and the volunteers made it a really special and inspiring experience. It definitely left me excited and hopeful to return this year for the World Championships.

stephen mcguire can’t wait to return to seoul for the world boccia championships

Training focus - What have you been working on most during winter training?

I’ve been focusing on controlling the court more effectively and developing stronger tactical plans for the upcoming season.

Motivation - What keeps you going on days when training feels hard?

Winter training in Scotland can be tough, especially with muscular dystrophy because of the colder conditions. What keeps me going is the love of competition. Boccia also takes us to some amazing, often warmer countries. That definitely helps as I enjoy the heat!

Season aims - What do you want to achieve this season?

We’ve set some ambitious targets this season. In Pairs, we want to build on last year’s success and climb even higher in the rankings (Stephen and Sophie are currently number three). Individually, I’m focusing on working with new boccia balls to hopefully gain some strategic advantages.

Rivals or competition - Is there a player or team you’re excited to face again?

I often play Yuk Wing Leung from Hong Kong throughout the season. He’s a great friend, a tremendous athlete, and a six-time Paralympic medallist. You have to be at your absolute best to beat him, and our record is about 50/50, which makes every match exciting.

Mindset - How do you stay calm and focused before a big match?

Experience plays a big role in handling pressure. These days, I don’t focus on the pressure itself - I focus on enjoying the challenge and performing at my best.

Advice for young players - What advice would you give to someone new to boccia?

Boccia is a fantastic and enjoyable sport. Celebrate your achievements, support your teammates, and most importantly, enjoy what you do.

Looking ahead - What are you most excited about in the year ahead?

The World Championships in Korea are something I’m really excited about. The World Cup there last year gave me a great sense of what to expect, and each World Championships seems to raise the bar. Korea will set a standard that will be hard to match. 

Good luck Stephen!

Inside the mind of Britain’s greatest boccia player: David Smith OBE

David Smith OBE needs no introduction — Britain’s most decorated boccia player, three-time Paralympic gold medallist - and a defining figure in the sport.

For the second instalment of our Boccia UK Q&A Series, we caught up with him to hear how winter training has been going, what he’s been focusing on behind the scenes, and how he’s shaping up for the year ahead. From technical tweaks to mindset shifts, David shares an honest look at what it takes to stay at the top of the game season after season.

david smith obe in boccia action

Last season highlight — What was your best moment from last season?

In terms of my playing, probably the semi final in the World Cup in Seoul. I don’t think I can execute and spot shots better than that.

Tough match — What was the hardest match you played and why?

My toughest game was probably my defeat in the final to Indonesia’s Muhamad Syafa. He put me in a few tricky situations that I struggled to get out of.

Big lesson — What important lesson did you learn last season?

The big lesson was to take a slightly more methodical approach to certain situations rather than trying to solve them in one shot.

Team support — How did your coaches or teammates help you last season?

After the season finished, we came together and talked which I found cathartic and it was interesting to see new perspectives, especially from Steph and Paddy. My coach Glynn and I accepted that we had a slight blindspot so it was good to spend the winter figuring it out.

david smith obe winning the europeans

Favourite event — Which event did you enjoy the most and what made it special?

The World Cup in Seoul was amazing and really good competition set-up. The food, city and venue were brilliant to experience for a wheelchair user. We were able to explore easily thanks to the metro. The accessibility was great.

Training focus — What have you been working on most during winter training?

I’ve been working on my physical fitness with my new support team in Wales and Jack (our new Strength & Conditioning coach) to make sure I peak at the right time in competition. Then, I’ve been working on different scenarios and how I need to break them down methodically. Finally, I’ve been refining my technical skills and playing set to be as clinical as possible.

Motivation — What keeps you going on days when training feels hard?

Having a clear plan really helps my motivation and a strong support network to challenge me helps me feel like I'm not doing this on my own.

Season aims — What do you want to achieve this season?

My aim is to win the World Championships and set a marker for my rivals.

Rivals or competition — Is there a player or team you’re excited to face again?

In the BC1s, I'm looking forward to playing everyone inside the top 10 and especially those above me in the rankings. In the Team, we are looking to play lots of different opposition and refine how we play together.

Mindset — How do you stay calm and focused before a big match?

I stay focused on the process and my routine and feed my brain with positive information.

Advice for young players — What advice would you give to someone new to boccia?

Get your own set of balls and play as much as possible in local clubs and competitions.

Looking ahead — What are you most excited about in the year ahead?

I’m looking forward to the World Championships because we are expecting an historic event for our sport. Also, I’m looking forward to going to Kazakhstan as that’s a new location for me on my Boccia world tour 😆

Good luck David!

Bronze, Baby Bump and Big Comebacks - Inside Kayleigh Brown's return to Boccia

This story is the first in our new Boccia UK Q&A Series, where our top athletes share their highs, their lows and everything in between about their winter training as well as their hopes for the year ahead.

To kick off, we caught up with Kayleigh Brown. Last season for our player from Ayrshire was anything but ordinary. From winning a European bronze medal while six months pregnant to battling through sickness at major events, her journey has been full of grit, humour - and sleepless nights!

Now, she’s back on court - with husband and sports assistant Kevin - and balancing training with motherhood and looking ahead to a season filled with fresh goals and family adventures on the international boccia circuit.

KAYLEIGH BROWN NOW JUGGLING MOTHERGOOD WITH BOCCIA

Last season highlight: What was your best moment from last season?

Winning a bronze medal at the European Championships while six months pregnant. 

Tough match: What was the hardest match you played and why?

I’d say the matches I played at the DSNI Challenger last March. I was only six weeks pregnant and felt very sick. I remember thinking I was going to throw up in the call room and on court. 

Big lesson: What important lesson did you learn last season?

I learnt how to be flexible and adapt my sessions when I was feeling sick and tired. 

kayleigh brown wins bronze at the 2025 european championships

Team support: How did your coaches or teammates help you last season?

Claire Morrison, my coach, was fantastic at supporting me throughout my pregnancy, especially on the rough days. I was actually at training with Claire the day we found out I was pregnant. I will never forget her excitement. My teammates Steph and Fiona were also great, always checking in on me. 

Favourite event: Which event did you enjoy the most and what made it special?

The European Championships where I won bronze with Klay in my tummy. 

Training focus: What have you been working on most during winter training?

I returned to training in January, three months after having Klay. I have been working on getting back to fitness after my C-Section and balancing training with being a mum. 

Motivation - What keeps you going on days when training feels hard?

Klay!

kayleigh and kevin with baby klay

Season aims: What do you want to achieve this season?

To get back to competing and have fun. And to get more sleep would be nice!

Rivals or competition: Is there a player or team you’re excited to face again?

Everyone. I’m just really looking forward to getting back into the competition environment. 

Mindset: How do you stay calm and focussed before a big match?

Follow my routine and stick to what I’m used to. I always make sure I’ve eaten well and I like to go for a walk outdoors. When I arrive at the venue, I start getting my equipment ready before doing my physical and on court warm-up. And then it’s into the call-room. After a match, I always catch up with my coach to do a match debrief - then I head off to refuel, rest and recharge before the next match.

Advice for young players: What advice would you give to someone new to boccia?

Try and not take training too seriously - just have fun with it and enjoy playing the game. 

Looking ahead: What are you most excited about in the year ahead?

I’m looking forward to travelling the world with Klay (and Kevin too of course) and just getting back into competition to see where I’m at.

Good luck Kayleigh, Kevin and Klay!

“I’ve become the Boccia world number one and I’m only 18 – its surreal!”

This feature has been produced in partnership with Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Sophie Newnham has limb girdle muscular dystrophy. At just 18 years old, she is the world number one in her classification and has her heart set on competing at the next Paralympic Games. She shares how her Boccia journey started, how she balances university life with her training, and the community she’s found along the way.

I was only four years old when I was diagnosed with limb girdle muscular dystrophy. Physical tasks have become harder over time and fatigue can hit unpredictably. But with regular therapies, I do everything I can to stay as strong and independent as possible. While there are challenges, it’s pushed me to find new ways to achieve things and ultimately led me to a sport that would change my life.

sophie newnham with brother and coach, jamie.

Discovering boccia

I was first introduced to Boccia during a PE lesson at secondary school. I enjoyed it straight away, and by the age of 14, I was competing in my first regional competition. A year later, I chose Boccia as part of my PE GCSE, and that’s when things really started to take off.

Looking back, I realise how lucky I was in those early stages. I found myself surrounded by elite athletes and experienced coaches who believed in me from the beginning. Their support gave me the confidence to take the sport seriously and to push myself further than I thought possible.

Building my game

One of the biggest influences on my journey has been my brother, Jamie. From the moment I started competing, he threw himself into helping me improve. He’s incredibly passionate, driven and creative, so together we’ve developed playing styles and techniques that are completely tailored to me.

Boccia is such a tactical sport, and that’s one of the things I love most about it; there’s always new strategies to explore and tiny improvements to chase. Those marginal gains can make all the difference, and I’m constantly learning and evolving every time I compete.

sophie newnham is 18 years old and is already world number one in boccia

More than just a sport

Over the past four years, Boccia has given me so much more than just competition. It’s opened up a whole new world socially and culturally. I’ve met some of the most inspiring people and had the opportunity to travel internationally. I never imagined any of this when I first picked up a ball in a school sports hall.

It’s not just about winning or rankings; it’s about the community and the friendships I’ve built along the way.

Life at university

Alongside my Boccia career, I started university last September at the University of Sussex. It’s been an amazing experience so far. I’ve really enjoyed my course, and living on campus has given me a new sense of independence, supported by my carers.

Balancing university life with training and competition isn’t easy. When I first started, the structure felt completely different from school and college, and I found it challenging to manage everything. But with support from the university and Boccia UK, I’ve been able to find a rhythm. The university has been incredibly accommodating, helping me access training facilities and making adjustments so I can pursue both my education and my sport.

Reaching world number one

One of the most surreal moments in my journey so far has been becoming the world number one in the BC4 Female classification. It’s hard to put into words what that feels like. To know that I’m ranked the best in the world at something I only started four years ago is extraordinary.

It’s taken a while for it to really sink in. But I know I didn’t get here alone. My success is built on the support of so many people who’ve all played a part in helping me reach this level.

Chasing the Paralympic dream

Like most athletes, I have my sights set on the biggest competition: the Paralympic Games. Qualification isn’t straightforward, and in some cases, you don’t find out until quite close to the Games whether you’ve made it. My goal is to put myself in the strongest possible position, through my world ranking and strong performances at major competitions, to make my dream a reality.

The idea of competing at the Paralympics is something I’ve dreamed about. It’s the pinnacle of the sport, and to be part of that environment would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If I get the opportunity, it’s something I would be incredibly proud of.

Boccia is a sport for everyone

I’d encourage anyone who’s considering taking up Boccia to just give it a go. It’s such an inclusive sport and can be adapted to suit everyone’s individual abilities. Whether that means adjusting the intensity or finding a way of playing that works for you, there’s always a way to get involved.

For me, Boccia has completely changed my life. It’s given me purpose, confidence and opportunities I never thought possible. From a PE lesson at school to becoming world number one, it’s been an unbelievable journey and I know this is only the beginning.

Find out more about Boccia

Are you a future Paralympian?

Latest boccia activity across the UK

While Great Britain’s boccia stars may not be back to international competition for a while yet, there is still plenty happening to develop boccia across the UK.

We caught up with the boccia leads from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to find out what’s coming up in 2026.

ENGLAND

 2026 looks set to be a bumper year for boccia in England with a busy competition season ahead, new events and a brand new talent hub.

Boccia England is planning its first-ever Under-23 Youth Open. The event is an important step forward in the delivery of Boccia England’s ambitious new Talent Plan for 2025–2029. The plan aims to transform how young disabled athletes are identified, recruited, and supported within the sport.

At the heart of the plan is a renewed focus on young people aged 14 to 23 in education settings and in collaboration with community partners. Boccia England will prioritise those most likely to be eligible for classification and progression within the performance pathway, while ensuring that success is defined by each individual athlete’s goals and aspirations.

Meanwhile, the Bristol talent hub is now up and running. It’s designed to identify, recruit, and coach young athletes from the region. Supported by Sport England funding, this is hopefully just the first of several hubs right across England.

Boccia England has also revealed that it’s new competition season has almost sold out - a very positive start to 2026! 

Find out more about Boccia England.

Boccia England competitor in action

NORTHERN IRELAND

Boccia in Northern Ireland is getting off to a great start in 2026 with a Girls In Boccia taster day. Open to all women and girls over the age of 12 and with a disability, it’s taking place in Belfast.

In March, Northern Ireland is then host to the next UK Challenger event with players from across the UK battling it out for titles.

Disability Sport Northern Ireland launched its first Regional Boccia Academy in September and sessions are continuing through to March 2026. Offering fortnightly training and with equipment and coaches on hand, it’s a great way to develop skills and tactics.

Meanwhile, the Schools Boccia Project has now been running for two years. – This year, another 14 schools have received boccia equipment and 20 teaching staff have attended training courses.  Over January and February, three Regional Schools competitions take place in South Lake Leisure Centre, Antrim Forum and Foyle Arena.

And the first round of our Pairs League has also got underway, with nine Pairs involved and lots of competitive games ahead across a further three game days.

Find out more about DSNI.

disability sport northern ireland hosting girls in boccia event

SCOTLAND

A whole host of boccia stars have come out of Scotland and, rest assured, Scottish Disability Sport are busy developing the next generation too.

Two Boccia Family Days are in the diary for February and May which aim to introduce children and young people – and their families – to the sport of boccia.

There are also plenty of regional events to look forward to including:

·       National Schools (26th March) 

·       Dumfries & Galloway Teams Competition (18th April)

·       Scottish Boccia Closed Championships (BISFed Classes): 30th May

·       Perth and Kinross Disability Sport Championships (15th and 21st August)

·       Discovery Games (Dundee, 12th September)

·       Scottish Boccia Open (non-BISFed Classes) – TBC

·       Scottish Boccia Open (non-BISFed Classes)- 24th October

Plus, there's a National Boccia Squad Camp happening in February which athletes and coaches from Northern Ireland are planning to attend.

Find out more about Scottish Disability Sport.

enjoying boccia fun in scotland

 WALES

Wales is creating more competitive opportunities for boccia athletes and already this year has staged Regional Championships in Aberystwyth and in Cardiff. The team is then headed to North Wales later this year.

Seven Welsh athletes are entered for the Northern Ireland Challenger in March which always such a good opportunity to test skills against other home nations. Two athletes are also attending a Boccia UK BC1/2 Development Camp in February. Boccia UK's coaching staff will be on hand to nurture Home Nation talent.

There will be Welsh Boccia training camps  throughout the year for Welsh athletes to develop their talent. Meanwhile, the Taith Boccia Project will offer development athletes the opportunity to take part in overseas training and competition. The aim is to provide experience of competing overseas. 

Disability Sport Wales is also looking ahead to the South Wales Special Schools Network competition in March.

regional championships underway in wales

Boccia UK unveil change to win well

Boccia UK is introducing a major change that could transform how its Great Britain squad compete on the world stage.

Up to now, Britain’s BC3 athletes, who compete with a ramp, have relied on one person to do two very different jobs: helping them with everyday care and serving on court as their ramp assistant.

Ramp assistants – who receive medals alongside the athletes - are expected to perform in high‑pressure competition – yet, until now they’ve had to balance that responsibility with round‑the‑clock caring duties.

Now, for the first time, Boccia UK will fund two separate roles:

• A carer at competitions and training camps, who looks after the athlete’s day‑to‑day needs

• A ramp assistant, who focuses purely on performance

The changes from Boccia UK are simple, but a huge shift. Performance Director Greg Baker says:

“Only a few other countries currently do this, and those that do have seen big improvements in performance and wellbeing. By giving ramp assistants the chance to rest, prepare, and focus on performance, we believe our athletes will be better supported and better equipped to deliver extraordinary moments and to win well on the world stage.

“We have already been trialling this change this year and it has really contributed to some top performances. Sally Kidson, for example, became European Champion and Patrick Wilson, after time away from the sport due to illness, made an incredible comeback by winning the individual title at the Coimbra World Cup and winning silver, with Sally, in the Pairs.

“None of this would be possible of course without the Government and National Lottery funding from UK Sport which means that our athletes receive world-class coaching and support to maximise their potential.”

Patrick Wilson added:

“At the highest levels, competing as a BC3 athlete requires immense attention to detail and, increasingly, it requires more from ramp assistants as we continually push the boundaries of what we can do. Personal care is completely different but nonetheless difficult. Having two people will allow our ramp assistants to focus on performance and get the rest they need to deliver on court.”

Sally Kidson is also welcoming the changes:

“It’s absolutely brilliant that we are now able to travel with an additional assistant for care support. This has been necessary for a while. It has already been game-changing, allowing ramp assistants to focus on their own performance, rest and recovery.”

Boccia athletes and staff honoured at 2025 PLx Awards

The Olympic and Paralympic high-performance community last night came together to celebrate a year of extraordinary sporting moments at the 2025 PLx Awards. And Boccia UK received the award for Spirit of High Performance.

Sally Kidson, Connor Welfare and coach Lauren Kianchehr demonstrated extraordinary resilience, unity and inspiration following the tragic and unexpected death of team-mate Will Arnott soon after he represented ParalympicsGB at Paris 2024. He was Sally’s BC3 Pairs partner.

Sally, Connor and lauren win spirit of high performance uk award - with Stef Reid MBE and Emma Wiggs. 

In honour of his legacy, and despite their grief, they committed to continuing in the sport, working together in partnership, and this culminated in Sally and ramp operator Connor winning a gold medal at the 2025 European Championships. It was the first time Sally had won a major title.

Sally said: “This isn’t just an award for the three of us – it's for the four of us. Will empowered my career, he inspired it and was a big supporter. I had some conversations at the start of this year about potentially retiring or taking a prolonged break and I decided to carry on. Will was a big believer in keeping going, no matter what. You want to get the results for yourself but I take a photo of him every time I’m on the podium and he will always be with me throughout my career.” 

boccia uk’s will arnott, who died in december 2024.

Meanwhile, Sophie Newnham, 17, was a finalist in the Athlete award which recognises the biggest turnaround or breakthrough in the last year. It’s the latest achievement in a year in which Sophie has won medals at every tournament she has entered. She also finishes the 2025 international season by moving into the number one spot in the world rankings.

The annual event was hosted in Leeds, where nine award winners from the sector across Olympic and Paralympic sports were celebrated by their peers. The Awards are part of PLx, the annual conference for leaders from the high-performance community to connect, collaborate and learn.

European triumph shortlisted for major award

It has today been revealed that European Champions Sally Kidson and Connor Wellfare, and coach Lauren Kianchehr, have been shortlisted for a prestigious UK Sport award.

The trio from Boccia UK have been nominated for the spirit of high-performance award at the PLx ceremony, which takes place on 2 December.

The award recognises individuals and teams that collaborate, adapt and maintain integrity under pressure.

sally kidson, connor wellfare and lauren kianchehr are up for an award

In July, at the European Championships, Sally and Connor, guided by Lauren, won gold in the BC3 event. The achievement came after a particularly sad and stressful period as Sally’s BC3 Pairs partner, Will Arnott, died in December 2024.

Will, an established member of the Great Britain boccia team, was not only a close friend and team-mate of Sally’s but he had also closely worked for many years with ramp operator Connor. And Lauren had always been a mentor to Will and an integral part of his coaching team.

Performance Director Greg Baker said:

“In December last year, the Boccia UK family was rocked by the news that two of its athletes, Will Arnott and Matt Berry, died just a day apart. Sally, Connor and Lauren all worked closely with Will, in particular, and were extremely close friends.

“But through this extremely difficult time, they have supported each other through grief and together produced an unbelievable performance to win gold. For me, they define what high performance sport is all about.

“They made the impossible possible this year and we’re really proud of what they have achieved and what they have overcome.”

Andrew Evans, Performance Psychologist to Boccia UK during the Europeans, said:

“Above all, Sally, Connor and Lauren were all very close friends with Will and were therefore tremendously impacted by the sad news of his passing. Not only did they all have to process their own grief but eventually, when the time was right, they all had to adjust to being back on court, training and competing in very different and unfamiliar circumstances. For Sally to win gold, with Lauren and Connor by her side, while dealing with real adversity was nothing short of remarkable.”

The PLx Awards 2025 are a celebration of the outstanding achievements of those who contribute to making extraordinary sporting moments happen. The awards take place on 2 December and will feature eight categories showcasing the best and brightest in our high-performance community. Sophie Newnham has also been shortlisted for the Athlete award after a year in which she has rocketed up the world rankings.

Too young for Paralympics - but now she's world number one

A teenager from Surbiton who was too young to qualify for the Paris Paralympic Games by just 11 days has become the world number one in the sport of boccia.

Sophie Newnham is now world number one in boccia

Sophie Newnham is 17 years old and her rapid climb up the rankings is one of the fastest ever recorded in the sport, according to Boccia UK. It comes as Sophie – who is aiming to compete at the LA Paralympic Games in 2028 – has made the shortlist for the UK Sport PLX Awards which takes place on 2 December. The Athlete Award recognises the athlete who has had the biggest turnaround or breakthrough in the last year.

It’s certainly been a busy 2025 in which the teenager has medalled at every tournament she has entered. She is fresh from returning home from the Coimbra World Cup in which she not only won gold in the individual BC4 women’s event – but in the Pairs event too with team-mate Stephen McGuire MBE, who won Paralympic gold in 2024.

Sophie discovered boccia in PE lessons at Treloars School. It wasn’t long before she started competing at tournaments, winning a silver medal at her first ever UK Championships.

On the news, Sophie said:

“I’m really pleased to end the year as world number one, having started the year at the number nine spot. It’s putting me in a strong position ahead of next year. In the Pair, with Stephen, we finish the year as third in the world and Stephen as world number one. This is really exciting for us as we start to prepare for the World Championships in Seoul.”

sophie newnham won gold with stephen mcguire at european championships

Not only has Sophie excelled on the boccia court but she has also juggled training and competing with studying A-levels and starting university 12 months early.

Mum Kathryn said:

“She is fuelled by this great travelling adventure with tournaments all over the world and what makes it even more meaningful is that she experiences it with her brother, Jamie, who is also her coach. It feels like a family journey and we’re delighted to be along for ride!”

She made her senior debut 18 months ago in Zagreb and she returned to the city last summer where she won gold in the Pairs and bronze individually at the European Championships.

Performance Director Greg Baker explained:

“It’s been a massive highlight for all of us at Boccia UK to see Sophie go from strength to strength and she has certainly earned her world number one spot, bursting onto the international circuit as a senior and defeating established, highly ranked players. Despite her massive breakthrough this year, Sophie remains extremely level-headed and is always looking to develop further. Her tactical skills are a sheer joy to watch and we can’t wait to see what she does next.”

Sophie is on the Boccia UK World Class Programme and receives National Lottery funding from UK Sport. She is also supported by Get Kids Going! – a charity which supports disabled children and young people in sport.

GB end on a high in Coimbra

After 15 months out of boccia competition due to health reasons, Edinburgh’s Patrick Wilson certainly made a comeback at the Coimbra World Cup, winning gold in the individual and silver in the Pairs event.

Before travelling to Portugal, Boccia UK deliberately did not discuss performance goals with the Scottish BC3 player, instead focussing on simply being able to compete internationally again.

Coach Glynn Tromans explains:

“Patrick’s results and performances were exceptional, but it was even more rewarding to see him on an international boccia court again, demonstrating his tactical supremacy and resilience.”

wilson makes boccia comeback

In his two pool matches, Wilson – with ramp operator Meredith Greenwood – saw victory and defeat. Into the knockout rounds, he triumphed over Gabriele Zendron of Italy 4-2, Diogo Castro of Portugal cast 3-1 before going up against South Korea’s Jon Ho Kwon in the final and winning 5-3.

Wilson and Greenwood went on to win silver in the BC3 Pairs event with Sally Kidson and her ramp operator, Chloe Lewis. The duo saw off South Korea, Italy and Sweden but lost to Poland in the pool matches before dominating the semi-final over Greece 7-1. Wilson found himself once again in a final with South Korea, but losing 2-3 to win silver.

it was silver in the pairs for wilson and kidson, supported by chloe lewis and meredith greenwood

Wilson was in reflective mood after the double win:

“When I’m on the boccia court, I think of those who have supported me or that I’ve played with or have coached me. Some of them are no longer with us and some are. These medals are for them.”

Wilson and Kidson were not the only British athletes to get on the medal table. 17-year old Sophie Newnham continued her rapid rise up the world rankings, winning gold. That makes it eight medals from eight international opportunities this season and Boccia UK is now eagerly awaiting the latest update to the world rankings as she is expected to move upwards from her current world number four position.

Newnham, from Surbiton, then joined Stephen McGuire in winning gold in the BC4 Pairs. Together, they have made a huge impact on the Pairs competition winning every tournament entered in 2025.

Newnham explained:

“I’ve enjoyed a really successful season, medalling in eight out of eight opportunities. I’m really pleased as I’ve had a challenging couple of months with starting university in September and learning how to balance this with training. Steph and I have also won gold in all of the Pairs competitions we’ve played together this year. It’s an amazing achievement for us and it’s exciting that there’s still so much more to build on.”

McGuire also took a bronze in the individual BC4 men’s event. This season, the Paralympic gold medallist has notched up six medals from seven events which included double gold at the European Championships.

But McGuire from Hamilton says there is only one highlight:

“Competing with super Sophie Newnham and winning all our Pairs events has been a standout achievement and reflects the hard work behind the scenes. We’ve qualified for the Worlds next year and we now look to building on the foundations we’ve been able to set in 2025.”

mcguire and newnham continue winning streak

Sally Kidson remained undefeated in the pool matches but was knocked out of the individual competition at the quarter final stage by Portugal’s Joana Pereira.

Louis Saunders just missed out on progressing through to the knockout rounds, having clocked up two victories from three pool matches. Meanwhile, Reshad Saraj gathered essential experience, beating semi-finallist Minkyu Kwak of South Korea.

Season to close in Coimbra

It’s the final World Cup of the boccia season. Great Britain heads to Portugal for the Coimbra World Cup, fielding a six-strong team.

Paralympic Champion Stephen McGuire leads the charge. As reigning world number one, he’ll be aiming for the podium top spot to finish the season on a high, ahead of next year’s World Championships.

Paralympic champion stephen mcguire to close 2025 boccia season in coimbra

“Individually, we travel to Portugal with two European Champions and a strong squad of six athletes. We’re going into Coimbra with positive momentum and hope to finish with strong performances before winter preparations begins for the World Championships next year.

He will also team up with teenage sensation Sophie Newnham in the BC4 Pairs. The Surbiton 17-year-old has rocketed up the rankings this year into the world number four spot. A good performance in Coimbra could see her launch herself into the top three.

McGuire adds, “Sophie and I have won every competition this season so we’re feeling really positive. It’s a real joy to play with Sophie – she is an extremely accurate and precise player. She has the ability to secure angles like no one else I’ve ever seen before in the British squad. She is a very intelligent player; tactically very astute. Her delivery is wonderful to watch and she’s still just 17 years old.”

teenage boccia star sophie newnham now ranked in world top four

It’s also worth keeping an eye on Louis Saunders. The Bognor Regis born athlete – who juggles full-time work – joins McGuire in the BC4 classification and currently ranks 14th in the world:

“It’s been a great challenge to manage work and boccia, training evenings and weekends, and I really appreciate all the efforts of my coach Lauren to come up and train with me. I’m also really lucky to have Sophie as a training partner. 

british boccia star louis saunders has had best season so far in 2025

“Hopefully, Coimbra will be the icing on the cake of what’s been my most successful season yet, after finishing in the top eight at the European Championships and winning a silver medal at the last World Cup in Curitiba. Lauren and I are looking to build on that to finish the season on a high.”

European Champion Sally Kidson – now world number eight – is set to face tough opposition from South Korea with Yejin Choi leading the field.

sally kidson, european champion, heads to coimbra

Patrick Wilson is also set to make a return while Reshad Saraj – just inside the world’s top 15 – will be aiming to finish the season with a flourish. But top talents from Indonesia, Slovakia and no doubt the home nation make this a tough classification.

patrick wilson back on the boccia court

reshad saraj aims to finish boccia season on a high

Performance Director Greg Baker says:

“It’s the final World Cup of the season in a year which has seen some outstanding results for our British athletes. At the Europeans earlier this year, we achieved a record-breaking medal haul with four gold medals, two bronze and we topped the medal table.

“We’re looking to build on those results, continuing the strong momentum into this season-closer before we head into winter training. We know what we’ve got to work on to come out even stronger next year as we build towards the World Championships.”

Penny just misses out on medal in Olbia

 British boccia player Penny Froude returns home from the Olbia Challenger with a confidence boost, having finished fourth in the BC4 category.

Having beaten the tournament’s fourth seed Natasa Bartol of Slovenia 4-3, she then lost to top seed Alexandra Szabo1-8 before a final pool match win over Renata Busettini  of Italy 9-2. Into the semi-final, Froude  lost to Anita  Raguwaran of Germany 2-4 and missed out on bronze to Anamaria Arambasic 3-5:

“I’m really pleased with my results. I was so close to a medal which is frustrating but I had great exposure to some top athletes and it was so valuable to watch them and also play them. This is the best way to learn and helps you to gauge your position on the international circuit.”

penny froude finishes fourth at olbia world boccia challenger 2025

Froude is now armed with plenty of learnings for the winter training season:

“I have some things to work on that came to light but boccia is a continuous journey of learning gained from experiences like internationals, but also tweaking and improving things. I’m certainly feeling more confident.”

Scottish boccia player Alex Medley will also be beaming, having represented Great Britain for the first time.

Ahead of the tournament, Medley was classified as a BC1 player and he went on to make it all the way to the quarter-finals where he met world no 9 Abdulaziz Alzahrani from Saudi Arabia. Earlier, in the pool matches, the X-year old defeated Italy’s Riccardo Zanella 5-1 and Martin Frkovic of Croatia 8-2.

“The main purpose of going to Olbia was to gain classification but I did want to win an end,” said Medley. “So, to top my group and have a tight game with a world top ten player was well above my expectations. This gave me a lot of confidence that I can be competitive in the BC1 category.”

Head Coach Rikki Bingham said:

“Originally, we couldn’t get many spaces for the Olbia tournament. We were always sending Tyler McLelland to be reclassified but then, six weeks before, we were invited to send more players.

“Knowing that World Boccia had a panel of classifiers there, we seized the opportunity to send Alex so that he too could be classified. The fact that he performed so well was a real bonus. He is somebody that we can see shows a lot of potential and has a strategic mindset in the way that he plays.”

Olbia was also an important tournament for Sally Kidson who teamed up with a brand-new ramp operator, Chloe Lewis. It was the pair’s first tournament and a useful test ahead of the World Cup in Coimbra next month.

Together, they reached the playoffs, losing on tiebreak to Mathilde Troude of France.

There was good news for Tyler McLelland who was reclassified as a BC4 player and, like Alex, was observed in competition.

The Scot was unable to escape the pool matches, losing to Ariel Veksler 1-6 and Antonio Sarsanki 4-6.

Fiona Muirhead was denied a spot in the knockout rounds too. Having lost her first two pool matches, she finished on a win over France’s Rachel Bujadinovic.

Robyn retires

British boccia player Robyn McBride has announced her retirement from the GB squad.

The BC3 athlete from Antrim in Northern Ireland - who has clocked up medals from World Boccia tournaments all over the world - has made the decision so she can spend more time with friends and family.

robyn mcbride announces her boccia retirement

The 26-year-old has won international medals, both individually and in the Pairs event and reached the knockout stages of the European Championships in 2023.

Robyn climbed inside the top 16 of the world rankings and looks fondly back at her time, representing Britain:

“Winning gold in the Pairs with Matt Berry at the Poznan World Boccia Challenger 2024 - after too many tie breaks that I care to remember and having only being paired together at a training camp in Largs just before the competition - is a standout memory for me. 

“Winning my first international medals - a bronze in the individuals and then a silver alongside Will Arnott - in Veldhoven also hold great memories for me and a huge sense of pride.”

But she is now looking forward to a well-earned break:

“I’m not sure what the future holds for me yet but I’m looking forward to spending time with my family and friends, going on holidays and staying at our family caravan on the north coast more.

“I do feel mixed emotions about stepping away from the squad. I have built strong friendships with many people in the team who I will miss dearly, however I am looking forward to having a bit more time on my hands!”

robyn steps away from boccia uk’s world class programme

Robyn also added that boccia has helped shape her as a person:

“Playing boccia has given me so much confidence and determination. I find I now challenge myself to try day-to-day tasks which I never dreamt I could do before independently. Boccia has also improved my social skills as I find it easier now speaking to others and developing friendships.

“I would like to give a special thanks to Glynn Tromans, my coach. His guidance, support and patience has been exceptional and I have learnt so much from him. Also, I would like to thank my Dad who has given up so much of his time to be my Ramp Operator, supporting me at training camps and tournaments all over the world.”

Boccia UK Performance Coach Glynn Tromans, who has worked with Robyn since joining the World Class Programme, said:

“Robyn had been on our radar for a number of years before she joined us in 2022. She was an absolute joy to have in the squad. Alongside her Dad and Ramp Operator, Davy, her adaptability and willingness to step up and get things done was best demonstrated in the Pairs event, where - at various times - she played alongside Jamie McCowan, Patrick Wilson, Will Arnott and Matt Berry, taking gold alongside Matt at a World Boccia Challenger in Poland.

“I have loved working with Robyn and her family, and witnessing both her growth as a player, and confidence as a person develop over the last four years.”

Greg Baker, Boccia UK’s Performance Director:

“Robyn has been a real asset to the squad and we are all so proud of all that she has achieved. Reaching the world’s top 16 in a sport that is so highly strategic is no mean feat and she has represented Great Britain, and Northern Ireland, so brilliantly. We will miss her but wish her well in whatever comes next.”

New face in GB kit in Olbia

Great Britain’s boccia players are packing their bags once again and this time, they’re headed to Olbia in Italy.

reigning european champion sally kidson squares up for olbia

Action gets underway from Wednesday 8 October and we’ll see a new face in the GB kit.

Alex Medley, 20, from Perthshire has been given a call-up and will go through classification ahead of the tournament.

He has been competing for the Scotland squad for the last two years and is coached by Peter McGuire. He has been training alongside the likes of Stephen McGuire and Patrick Wilson at Stirling University.

Medley said:

“I’m really excited to compete in Olbia. I know many of the squad already from training and competing on the domestic circuit. There’s no pressure on me in this competition so I’m just looking forward to soaking up the experience.”

He will be joined in Italy by European Champion Sally Kidson. It will be the first competition for Bristol University music student since she teamed up with new ramp assistant, Chloe Lewis.

Fiona Muirhead and Penny Froude will also feature in the BC4 category.

Steph and Sophie win gold

Great Britain’s boccia squad is coming home from the Seoul World Cup in a jubilant mood after Stephen McGuire and Sophie Newnham won gold in the BC4 Pairs. It’s the first World Cup gold medal for Britain in the BC4 Pairs event since 2018.

In the individuals, David Smith OBE added a silver to the GB haul while Sophie Newnham added bronze to her collection.

The team settling into seoul

The gold in Seoul is the latest triumph for the McGuire and Newnham partnership. Already this season, they have become European Champions.

The result will surely be an essential recce for the World Championships, which will be held in the same Seoul venue next year.

McGuire explained:

“We came to South Korea to play the best in the world, to learn valuable lessons on and off court prior to next year’s World Championships. We played well and the results went our way. It’s back to back golds for us and, as a new pair, it’s really exciting to see where Sophie and I can get to.”

Newnham – who is 17 years old and is expected to climb into the world’s top ten female BC4 players – said:

“I’m over the moon to have won two medals in Korea. I had a shaky start to the week and wasn’t playing my best boccia but I slowly got back to where I wanted to be. Winning the bronze in the individuals gave me momentum going into the Pairs with Stephen.

“It’s been super helpful to compete in this venue where the World Championships will take place next year, It was also good to play the Asian athletes who I’ve not played before. They sometimes play a different style of game, and it was invaluable experience ahead of next year.”

sophie wins gold in the pairs and bronze in the individuals

David Smith OBE – who is enjoying a great run of form – was able to clinch silver.

david smith obe wins silver in seoul

Meeting Muhamed Syafa in the final, it was the first clash between the BC1 competitors since the Indonesian beat Smith in the Paris Paralympic Games bronze medal match:

“I’m disappointed I couldn’t quite replicate my semi-final levels but sometimes that’s just how the balls run and Muhamed was a bit too good today. But there were more positives than negatives this week – ahead of the final, I was able to score freely on my ends and playing how I want to. There are a few valuable lessons ahead of the Worlds next year. I’ll continue to find improvements for this coming winter training period.”