About Boccia
Boccia is a paralympic sport that everyone can enjoy and play. It’s a target sport that challenges your precision, accuracy, and concentration while building teamwork. The OCPSA (Ontario Boccia) is the governing body for Boccia in Ontario. While “Cerebral Palsy” is in its title, the organization provides programs and services for participants of all abilities, both recreationally and competitively (see attached).
Quinte Region Rocks at the OCPSA Awards Ceremony!
Congratulations to the incredible community members honored for their outstanding contributions, commitment, and achievements in the sport of Boccia in the Quinte region. Awards were presented at the 2025 Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (OCPSA) Banquet, held in Mississauga on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Candidates from across Ontario were nominated for these prestigious awards, with winners selected by an OCPSA committee. Quinte area winners include:
Jaxson Girard – “Junior Male Athlete of the Year 2024”
After joining the Quinte Boccia Club in 2024, Jaxson quickly developed his love for the sport, honing his Boccia skills and securing a Gold Medal at both the Ontario Boccia Championships and the Boccia Blast National Junior Competition. At only 10 years old, Jaxson’s dedication to the game of Boccia and his remarkable successes at provincial-level tournaments make him truly deserving of this prestigious award! Jaxson’s Junior Male Athlete of the Year 2024 award was presented by Aurora Whalen, a fellow Quinte Boccia Club member and the “Female Junior Athlete of the Year 2023.”
Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board (ALCDSB) – “Weatherall Award of Distinction”
ALCDSB was honored with this award for its meaningful contributions to amateur sport as a leader, advocate and change maker. The Board has demonstrated a strong commitment to accessibility and inclusion in sport by introducing Boccia in its elementary schools and LSDCs. It is also focusing on integrating accessible athletic options into its Track and Field events this year. This accessibility in sport initiative was made possible through the efforts of Occupational Therapist Stephanie Lackey, who secured a “Removing Barriers for Students with Disabilities Grant.” The funding enabled the purchase of Boccia equipment, the implementation of in-school Boccia training sessions, and the organization of the ALCDSB West Boccia tournaments, scheduled for February 12 and 20 at St. Joseph School in Belleville. Superintendent Michelle McGrath has been a passionate advocate for this initiative, championing the integration of adaptive sport across the school board.
Colleen DeMille – “Club Coach of the Year 2024”
Quinte Boccia Coach Colleen DeMille received the 2024 Club Coach of the Year award in recognition of her exceptional coaching skills, which inspire and motivate athletes of all ages, leaving a lasting impact on everyone she works with. As the founder of the Quinte Boccia Club, Colleen has introduced the sport to a growing community of new athletes and has been instrumental in creating opportunities for local players. She established a weekly program at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre, where athletes gather every Thursday evening to enjoy the game, build skills, and prepare for regional and provincial tournaments, and has also secured a yearly pairs Boccia tournament in the Quinte area. The success of the program is made possible through the dedicated support of outstanding volunteers, parents and caregivers who actively contribute to the weekly Boccia Program.
Additional Notes:
Jaxson Girard is an exuberant 10-year old with muscular dystrophy who I think you would enjoy interviewing along with his dad.
ALCDSB has been instrumental in getting the word out in the community through implementation of the Boccia program in their schools – Kristen and Chris Whalen (Aurora’s parents), OT Stephanie Lackey and Superintendent Michelle McGrath would all be worth speaking to about their vision and goals which should have a long-term impact on the youth in our community. ALCDSB has invited members of the Quinte Boccia Club to assist with Boccia demonstrations at various area schools.
And most exciting it was decided that the new St. Joseph Catholic School would have Boccia court lines painted on their gym floor – a first in Ontario!
We are also very excited about the recent invitation to demonstrate Boccia at Tyendinaga Public School in the Hastings and Prince Edward District School board where Jaxson Girard attends school.
Beginning in January 2024, the Quinte Boccia Club was very fortunate to have use of a quality, accessible space at the QSWC for our weekly Boccia program. Recently the Quinte Boccia Club received a substantial grant from the City of Belleville – “Community Impact Grant” which will enable us to host a second Quinte Boccia Competition at the QSWC. This Open Pairs Boccia Competition is scheduled for Saturday, May 3 at the QSWS and we invite the public to come out and watch some outstanding Boccia athletes from across Ontario compete that day.
