Paralympian retires after decade-long career

British Paralympic boccia player Will Hipwell has announced his retirement from international competition.

will at the world championships 2022

The BC2 athlete from Papworth Everard near Cambridge has made the decision to step away from elite competition after almost ten years on the World Class Programme.

The 37-year-old competed at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. He has been a vital part of the BC1/2 Team, alongside David Smith OBE and Claire Taggart. Career highlights include winning silver in the Team event at the 2022 World Championships, team gold at the 2022 Povoa World Cup and, individually, a silver in Zagreb in 2023.

But he now says it’s time to step back:

“I still very much intend to play boccia as it has been such a big part of my life but it’s getting harder to find the time needed to commit to the sport as I work full-time. The timing is right for me and, with Kayleigh Brown coming into the Team event with David and Claire, I know I’m leaving things in a good position.”

Hipwell joined the World Class Programme in 2015:

“I remember having to be very patient for my opportunity to compete at a Paralympics. There were well established players ahead of me for selection like Nigel Murray, Josh Rowe and Martin Davies. Not getting selected for Rio really made me get my head down and do the work that was needed.”

will wins silver with the bc1/2 team

Of course, the Covid pandemic interrupted Tokyo preparations. But Will – along with some help from his family – was determined to keep training:

“My Dad’s a farmer and when we realised I wouldn’t be able to train as usual at One Leisure in St Neots, Dad converted a grain store into a full-sized boccia court. He spent hours getting the space ready and marking out the court to exact dimensions.”

It’s just one example of Will’s family have supported him over the years:

“They have all helped me so much. My Dad, Tom, and my sister, Alice, in particular have helped me, coming with me to camps and competitions all over the world.”

He lists winning silver at the World Championships as a definite career highlight:

“I remember in our final against Portugal, David and Claire asked me to clear a ball so they could make a shot. I executed the shot really well and I remember the atmosphere in the stands being so good.

“The camaraderie of being part of the Boccia UK squad is something I’ve really enjoyed. Playing as part of the Team is very different to play as an individual. You share the highs and lows with your team-mates and when you win, that feeling is amplified.

Will Hipwell - getty images

“But it’s not just about winning matches. It’s about the fun on training camps, going through a drill and getting it right.”

He has been coached by Boccia UK Performance Coach Claire Morrison:

“She’s coached me throughout my time on the programme and I really owe her a lot. My team-mates, past and present, have also been so helpful and I’ve been so proud to be part of this squad.”

He also had thanks for the wider Boccia UK staff and his employers, previously, Kier and Papworth Trust for supporting him during his boccia career.

Claire Morrison, Performance Coach, said:

“It has been a real honour to coach Will during his time on the World Class Programme and see how he has developed both as an athlete and as a person over the years. He has worked tirelessly to balance the commitment of a full-time job with being a high-performance athlete. Will has been brilliantly supported by his whole family during his time with Boccia UK, and in particular his sister Alice and Dad Tom, who will also be greatly missed by the squad.

“Will has consistently shown great respect and encouragement to those around him and has always given everything to improve his own performances both individually and within the BC1/2 Team. In recent years Will has been part of many successful podium moments with the Team but a real highlight was when he made his first individual podium in Zagreb in 2023 which brought everyone as much joy as it brought Will. It is great that Will is going to continue to play Boccia as he is a great ambassador for the sport and a tremendous person to know.”

Greg Baker –Boccia UK’s Performance Director – said:

“Will can be immensely proud of his time on the World Class Programme, having achieved individual medals at Challenger events as well as European and World medals with the Team. He also represented Great Britain at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games which is a huge achievement.

“In my time as Performance Director, I have seen Will develop and grow as a person. Will can be proud of the energy and collaboration he brought within the squad and it's something we hope other athletes and new athletes can learn from and take forward for Boccia UK. We wish Will all the very best with his future ambitions and look forward to seeing him on the domestic competition scene very soon.”