Dunedin athlete claims regional title
13 athletes from across the South Island descended on Christchurch looking for crucial ranking points to help their
chances ahead of the National Championships later this year.
Despite sending a small team to battle for regional honours this year, the Dunedin Boccia club still managed to take
home the spoils.
New Zealand’s longest serving player Henk Dijkstra was too strong for the rest of the competition in claiming the gold
medal in the BC3 grade. Dijkstra was crowned the overall best player after beating Rangiora’s Jeremy Morriss, winner of
the BC1, 2 and 4 combined grade in the final match 4-3.
“Henk has been around since the sport was first introduced here in the early 90’s and this experience certainly came
through in the elimination rounds” said Boccia New Zealand Director Luke Morriss.
Other Dunedin players to compete at the Champs included Karen Menzies, Rosslyn Crutchley and Gordon Dunn. Unfortunately
Ken McIntosh was forced to withdraw due to injury.
The talented athletes from Dunedin are currently fundraising for another trip away and hope to enter the New Zealand
National Championships in Wellington in October as they will get the opportunity take on players from all over the
country as well as Australia.
Boccia is a sport designed for individuals with physical impairments and is best described as an indoor version of
petanque with soft leather balls. The aim of the game is to get as many of your coloured balls as close as possible to
the jack while preventing the opposition from doing the same.
To get involved with the Dunedin-based club or to find out more information visit www.boccia.org.nz
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