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Sporting legends introduce Swansea care home residents to Boccia

PARALYMPIAN David Smith OBE and wheelchair basketball superstar James Coyle-King are taking time out from winning medals to teach staff and residents at Awel y Mor Care Home in Swansea a wonderful new game called Boccia.  Similar to bowls and petanque, boccia is a precision target sport played indoor with soft leather balls.

Residents of Awel y Mor, which is run by Barchester Healthcare, have been getting to grips with the new sport, with tuition from James and David organised by Swansea Council’s Sport and Health department.  The athletes have been explaining the tactics of the games and the different types of throws.  David very kindly gifted the residents their own set of balls so they can practise between training sessions.

James plays wheelchair basketball for Swansea Storm and David represents Team GB playing Boccia in the BC1 category and also the mixed team. The BC1 category is for athletes with significant impairment of all four limbs and the trunk.  David has won 5 Paralympic medals, 10 World Championship and 10 European medals so the residents feel very privileged to have him coach them.

Lynda Hamilton Shaw, General Manager of Awel y Mor, said: “Our residents have really enjoyed trying out a new sport with help from James and David. 

“They have loved learning about the different throws and blocks, it has certainly brought out everyone’s competitive side.  We all look forward to our training sessions and we can see definite improvement in everyone’s technique.

Awel y Mor care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Awel y Mor provides residential and nursing care for 58 residents from respite care to long term stays.

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