Following a strong competition we are pleased to announce that Helen Nicholls has been appointed to succeed Matt Hammond as the Performance Director of Boccia UK.

Helen’s background as an athlete, coach and manager within the high performance system - with a number of Olympic, Paralympic, winter and summer sports - will enable her to add enormous value as we develop the potential for the sport further.

John Dowson, Chair of Boccia UK, said "We were very pleased with the overall interest shown by a strong range of candidates and particularly pleased that Helen Nicholls will be taking up the appointment. Her knowledge, built up over a number of sports and through UK Sport, will enable her to make a very strong contribution both in this World Championships year and in the future."

Helen Nicholls said "I am delighted to be joining Boccia UK as Performance Director and to be given the opportunity to lead such a high performing and respected World Class Programme on the journey to Tokyo and beyond. My background in Sailing, where I was an Athlete at a time when lottery funding was first introduced to the UK system, then moving into Coaching at elite level, before moving into management has given me a unique insight into the complex journey to the top of elite sport. My role of Performance Advisor at UK Sport has afforded me a privileged position in supporting and guiding world class programmes to deliver exceptional performances in Olympic and Paralympic sport. I look forwards to using my experience and knowledge to lead Boccia’s world class team in delivering world class results."