From frame-running to boccia, Kayleigh gets GB call-up

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A multiple World record holder – who set her first world record at the age of 12 - will be making her international debut for Boccia UK this month.

 

World and European frame-running champion Kayleigh Haggo is swapping the track for the boccia court when she competes at the Poznan World Boccia Challenger from the 22-29 August.

 

The 23-year-old from South Ayrshire in Scotland holds world records in frame-running across 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and 5000m.

A young girl with glasses and dark hair pulled back in a pony tail, wears navy sports top and shorts. She is in a wheelchair. Her left hand is extended and she is holding a red ball. She looks focussed.

Kayleigh Haggo only started playing boccia earlier this year

 

She began playing boccia in February 2022 and already has competed for Scotland in Prague. Last year, Haggo – who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy with dystonia - started working “in her dream role” as an Active Schools Coordinator for people with additional support needs in South Ayrshire.

 

“Playing boccia is totally different to being on an athletics track. When I first started playing, I didn’t expect to get this far, this fast. I just wanted to give it a go and see what happened. I won the Scottish Champs a few months later and so I decided I up my training, really give it my all and see where it takes me.”

 

And she can’t wait to compete in Poznan:

 

“I’m really excited. I can’t wait to get there and soak up an international, high level competition with Boccia UK. There’s more pressure on me when I’m on an athletics track as I’ve been number one for a while – but, with boccia, there are no expectations on me so I’m looking forward to going out there, having fun and, of course, trying my best. I’ve got a lot to learn but it’s quite nice not to have that pressure on me.”

 

Another new face to the GB squad is Sally Kidson. At just 17 years old, she makes her international debut. A BC3 Player, she will team up with Dundonald’s Jamie McCowan who featured at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

 

“I’m really looking forward to experiencing international competition and being able to line up as part of the Boccia UK squad. I can’t wait to put into practice the skills that I have been working on in training with my coach, Lauren, and gaining more competition experience at the top level,” says Kidson.

A young girl with dark air is wearing a grey tshirt. Infront of her is a ramp and it says GB Boccia on it. She holds a pointer upwards which touches a white ball which is being held on the ramp by a woman with blonde hair.

Sally Kidson makes her international debut at just 17 years old.

Meanwhile, Jamie McCowan is thrilled that World Boccia – the sport’s international governing body – has introduced the Challenger events:

“I think the idea of the Challenger events is a good one – they have replaced regional opens and made the entrants more international. I hope going forward they will have a mix of both established athletes and new players as this blend benefits everyone. It’s my first event of this type and I’m really looking forward to getting started.”

Reshad Saraj, a BC2 player who has long been a firm fixture on the UK’s domestic boccia circuit, has also received call up. This is Saraj’s second international appearance after joining the squad for the World Cup in Rio:

“Heading to Poznan is another chance to gain more experience performing at this level and I can’t wait to see what I can do after competing at the World Cup in Rio.”

A young Asian man with short hair, glasses and moustache is seated in a wheelchair. He looks focussed and is grasping a red ball.

Reshad Saraj makes his second appearance for Boccia UK after competing at the World Cup in Rio earlier this year.

Completing the line up is 21-year-old Louis Saunders – the BC4 Paralympian – who is eager to build on recent performances and secure a podium position after winning silver in the individual event earlier this month in Veldhoven:

“I’m definitely feeling confident after the performance a couple of weeks ago and I think it will help me to go one better and get gold in Poland. I’m most looking forward though to watching British athletes make their international debut for Boccia UK – it’s brilliant to see some new faces coming through and competing at these events.”