GB Boccia squad wear red armbands for team-mates

The Great Britain boccia team will wear red armbands at the Pajulathi Challenger in Finland to remember team-mates Will Arnott and Matt Berry.

Finland is the opening tournament of the 2025 season and the first time the GB squad have been back on court since the formidable BC3 players died last December.

robyn mcbride (left) and sally kidson wearing red armbands in memory of will and matt

Performance Director Greg Baker said:

“This is a really poignant and emotional start of the year for us. It’s been difficult for the squad and the staff to come to terms with Will and Matt’s passing but we’ll be back on court and we’ll be giving it everything, for them. This is our way of paying tribute to two world-class athletes and to two very much missed team-mates.”

The squad selected the colour red in recognition of World Duchenne Awareness Day as Will and Matt both lived with the condition.

Arnott, 25, represented ParalympicsGB at the Paris Paralympic Games last summer. His steely determination saw him rise in the world rankings to the number seven spot by the close of the 2024 season.

Berry, 28, was on Boccia UK’s Talent Transition Squad and was working towards the LA Paralympic Games in 2028. In fact, among his other successes last year - which include two gold medals at the Olbia Challenger – he won bronze at this very same Challenger event. 

Stephen McGuire – who won Paralympic gold last summer – said:

“Will and Matt are sorely missed so we’ll be wearing red armbands in memory of them in Finland which is our first international tournament of the season. We wanted to do something to remember them while we’re on court, competing in the sport which they loved so much.”

The Pajulathi Challenger takes place from 9-17 May.