Mdm Kwok is also currently the national coach for boccia – a ball-tossing game designed for those with mobile disabilities – and she has set up boccia as a co-curricular activity at the school. Seven students from the school have since represented the Singapore Disability Sports Council’s boccia team.
Boccia coach helps disabled through sport
STUDENT Toh Sze Ning, who has cerebral palsy, was initially doubtful that she could take part in a sport called boccia.
As she could not feed or dress herself, she wondered how she could take part in a game involving moving a ball.
But thanks to her former teacher Lanny Kwok Ping Ping, the 19-year-old, who started learning how to play some seven years ago, went on to be ranked 16th last year in the world in the paralympic sport.
Yesterday, Madam Kwok, 43, from Spastic Children’s Association School, was among three recipients of the Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award at the annual Special Education conference held at Singapore Expo.
“The sport gave the students a boost in self-esteem and expanded their social circle and cognitive skills; I was glad to be part of it,” said Madam Kwok.
Funding boost for a Boccia player at Stirling University
A total of 44 students at the University of Stirling have been selected for a national sports scholarship programme.
Those chosen for the latest round of the Winning Students project include Jack McDonald, recently crowned Scottish Amateur Golfer of the Year and Scott McCowan, who represented Team GB in Boccia at the London 2012 Paralympics.
High-performance student athletes in member colleges and universities across the country are supported with scholarships of up to £5500 each year.
Boccia star to meet Prince ‘Charlie’
Illawarra sports star Mecenzi Howard was bowled over when she received an invitation in the mail to “meet Charlie”.
“I can’t wait, I’m really excited,” said the 15-year-old from Horsley.
The boccia star, who has cerebral palsy, didn’t think twice about accepting the invitation to tonight’s Diamond Jubilee Reception at the Sydney Opera House for Prince Charles and Camilla.
“He’s famous, I’m going to meet Charlie,” she said yesterday.
Mecenzi’s mum, Toni Howard, is intrigued as to how the invitation came about.
“When she got the letter she was screaming, ‘mum, look, look’, she was so excited I came running,” Mrs Howard said.
“We have no idea where this came from; it’s because of all her sporting achievements, someone has obviously put her name up but we don’t know who,” she said. “She was so happy, it’s really exciting for her.”
Mecenzi, who has been selected in the senior team for the Paralympic Preparation Program, said she couldn’t wait till tonight and would report back on how it went.
via Horsley teen to meet Prince ‘Charlie’ | Illawarra Mercury.
Boccia club due to open in Hoddesdon
A SPORTS club for disabled people due to open in Hoddesdon hopes to build on the resounding success of the Paralympics.
Peter Stannard
Wheelchair user Peter Stannard, who suffers from a disorder that causes weakness in his legs and pelvis, set up the Broxbourne Badgers boccia club.
Boccia is a ball game similar to bowls or petanque, in which players throw balls as close as they can towards a jack.
Peter, 52, said: “I’m doing this to get me away from my disability – it’s like a kind of therapy helping others.
“There’s been quite a bit of interest and we’ve already got about 10 or so signed up and are hoping for more.
“Boccia is similar to bowls but played seated and can be played on any kind of surface.
“It was originally developed for people with severe cerebral palsy, but anyone can play it – disabled or able-bodied.”
Boccia England: Regional Championships Dates
All of the dates for this season’s Regional Championships 12/13 are now finalised and we are taking entries!
Details of dates can be found on the event calendar
Congratualtions to the automatic qualifiers, they are as follows, from the 2012 National Championships: David Smith, Nigel Murray, Cecilia Turk, Harry Thompson. From the 2012 GB Championships: David Smith, David Hill, Andrew Morgan, Dan Bentley, Nigel Murray, Jess Hunter.
Please everyone remember that all entries must be received 2 weeks prior to the competition date. You can download the entry form below. If you have any queries on this season’s Regional Championships then please contact the Boccia England office, 0115 9678455.
Paralympian Boccia star returns to Sarnia
Sarnia’s Paralympic medallist Josh Vander Vies is coming home for the first time since taking bronze in boccia in the London 2012 games.
The UBC law student and Northern Collegiate graduate will be welcomed home with an open house Sunday, Nov. 11, 5 p.m. at Pathways Health Centre.
He will also be addressing Northern staff and students Nov. 12 at the school.
via Paralympian returns to Sarnia | Local | News | Sarnia Observer.
Boccia coach helps special needs students find their voice
For more than a decade, he could only express his thoughts and feelings through picture cards. Unable to write or type, communication for the boy, who has severe cerebral palsy, was limited to a thick stack of cards toted around in a file.
That drove his Special Education (SPED) teacher, Mdm Lanny Kwok, to embark on a search six years ago for assistive devices that could help him take a leap beyond his abilities.
With Mdm Kwok’s help, participating during classes and initiating conversations with his parents and friends became easier for the boy, now 21, thanks to a software she found – which allowed him to string sentences together by tapping on a “switch” as alphabets rolled across a computer screen. To enhance the communication process, pictures he could click were periodically added to help illustrate a point……
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via TODAYonline | Singapore | Helping her special needs students find their voice.
Jewish Boccia Players required for Paralympics, Israel in 2013
Next summer (between 18th and 30th July), the “Maccabiah” games will take place in Israel. The Maccabiah is an international Jewish athletic event, held in Israel every four years under the auspices of the Maccabi Federation, affiliated with the Maccabi World Union. Maccabiah is open to Jewish athletes as well as Israeli athletes regardless of religion.
The games, always held in Israel, are in fact three separate competitions – “Open,” “Juniors,” and “Masters”. Every Israeli citizen and every Jew not an Israeli citizen, is eligible to compete in the games. Sports in the junior games are open to any qualifying athlete aged 15 to 18. Masters’ sports are divided into a number of different age categories—generally for older competitors. Unlike the Olympic games and other major international sporting events, the sport list for the Maccabiah Games is not set in stone.
For the first time ever it has been decided to have Paralympic sports involved – and there will be a Boccia event too! All Jewish Boccia athletes are invited to participate and register for the Maccabiah through Itzik Azoulay [itzik194@gmail.com]. Please contact him for further information.
Boccia stars head to Hamilton for primary school celebrations
Hamilton’s Stephen and Peter McGuire visited St Elizabeth’s Primary to share their London 2012 experiences with the pupils.
The brothers took part in the Boccia event, with Stephen coming fourth in his individual event and the duo losing out on a bronze medal to Portugal.
Christine Emmett, headteacher at St Elizabeth’s Primary, said: “The children had lots of questions about their Olympic training kit and about the atmosphere surrounding the ceremonies and the events.”
The athletes also joined the school on a special day, when all the pupils and staff wore pink to raise awareness of breast cancer, raising £200 for charity.
via Team GB stars head to Hamilton for primary school celebrations
Invacare Canada initiative supported by Boccia medallist, Vander Vies
Josh Vander Vies, a Paralympic bronze medallist in boccia, was on hand for the announcement at Variety Village in Scarborough, Ont. and applauded the news of the partnership.
“For 10 years, I’ve had an Invacare chair,” said Vander Vies, originally from Sarnia, Ont., now living in Vancouver. “Invacare are leaders in Canada in terms of performance equipment. This performance factor gives me the confidence that I need on the boccia court to make the high stakes shots.”
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