Bočios Čempionatas

Labas!

On 6^th of November the Lithuanian Bocce Championship for people with special needs took place in Vilnius. For this event, organized by the Lithuanian Special Olympics Committee, only (former) pupils of Developmental Classes were allowed to take part in. The competing teams were separated in different classes, according to their age for not only schools but also adults from different Day Care Centres took part in the competition. Our “Panevėžio ‘Šviesos’ Specialioji Ugdymo Centras” sent a team of four competitors and I had the honour to accompany them. 

 

You know, that was really a huge thing for me because I wanted to go there so badly. I already got in touch with Bocce at my former workplace in Austria since some of our kids there also took part in competitions and practiced for them every week. I took some sort of class to learn the rules and everything to become a referee and I worked as such at different competitions in Innsbruck which always was a lot of fun. So you can imagine how keen I was on seeing the competition here in Lithuania.

It soon turned out that there are some slight differences between what Bocce in Austria is and what it is in Lithuania. I ended up having tons of questions about the game while I had announced so proudly before that I am a referee for it. Well, at least I understood the ways after some games. 

This Lithuanian Championship was quite a big deal of course. There were several teams from schools and Day Care Centres all over the country taking part in it. And although the atmosphere basically was very relaxed and friendly, you could see the determination and tension in the players’ faces. I mean, taking part is the main thing and so on but of course everybody came to win! What – and I am really proud to say that – our team really did :) After some exciting games including an emotional rollercoaster from infinite happiness to deepest grief the four youths of our “Panevėžio ‘Šviesos’ Specialioji Ugdymo Centras” each received a medal for taking the first place. And I guess we were altogether pretty proud of that, the players first, then Artūras as their coach and me, the more or less mental support.

our awesome champions :)

I really had a great time witnessing this competition and all the passion and emotions our players showed during the games. Seeing such happiness is a very unique thing. And also contagious, I felt great as well. You know, what I like so much about Bocce is that no matter what kind of disability you have, you can play it. This specific time there weren’t many players with physical disabilities, but I know from back home that with the right aid anybody can take part in the game. And you would be surprised how well they can. It’s a serious competition with all the emotions that come along with taking part in something like that and the great possibility of reaching some real achievement all by your own. Well yes, I love it. So much that I started planning to do an own weekly training for my own initiative at the school. As soon as that’s working I’ll tell you more about it ;)

Viso gero,

Monika