Three named for World Youth Championships

Three of the UK’s brightest boccia talents will be heading to Portugal in July to compete at the first ever World Boccia Youth Championships.

From 7 - 16 July 2023, Tyler McLelland, Sophie Newnham and Harrison Smith will be battling it out against the top flight of junior talents from around the globe.

The three talents are all BC4 players.

Head of Performance Pathway Liz Fisher said:

“It’s the first time that a World Boccia Youth Championships has ever been staged and that is testament to the rapid growth of the sport globally, It is a fantastic opportunity for Tyler, Sophie and Harrison to get a taste of international competition – not just on court competition but everything else that is required at an event and we’d like to thank Scottish Disability Sport and Boccia England for their support of their pathway athletes.”

Tyler McLelland

Tyler is 17 years old from Windygates in central Fife and has been nominated by Scottish Disability Sport. Coached by Claire Morrison, he certainly demonstrated his potential when he won his debut individual international match at the Czech Open in Prague last year. He is part of the Scottish Boccia Squad and studies at Fife College. He was also recently selected by Boccia UK for its first ever Talent Transition Squad.

Tyler mclelland has been selected for world youth boccia championships

Sophie Newnham

Sophie is 15 years old and is from Surbiton in south west London. She started playing boccia at the age of 13. In October, she impressed Boccia UK when she won silver at the UK Championships. She is a student at Treloars School; the same school that Paralympic Champion David Smith OBE attended and has already shown great promise. She is coached by Jamie Newnham and is supported by Boccia England,

sophie newnham is off to world youth boccia championships

Harrison Smith

Harrison is 16 years old and is from Cobham in Surrey. He discovered boccia at school. He attends Treloars School which boasts David Smith OBE among its alumni. He is supported by Boccia England. He is coached by Kim Smith.

The three talents are all BC4 players and will play individually. Tyler and Sophie will also play as a BC4 Pair.

Harrison smith has also been picked for world youth championships