Sports Academy

Percy Hedley Representation at National Cerebral Palsy Sport Boccia Competition

Five participants from North Tyneside were in top form at the recent National CP (Cerebral Palsy) Sport Boccia competition. The event was held in Sheffield on the 1st and 2nd of March and followed on from the North East regional CP Sport Boccia competition, held in the Percy Hedley Sport Academy, Killingworth in December.

Over 30 competitors took part in the regional competition, open to all ages, bringing individuals from throughout the North East together for two days of competition.

James Mcloughlin (Percy Hedley School), Jon Joe Clennell (Percy Hedley Sports Academy) and Tommy Burdon (Percy Hedley Adult Services) all participated within the qualifying stages of the National competition after their impressive performances at the North East Regionals.

Anika Rafiq (Percy Hedley School) made it to the final of the BC1 category to finish in second place after facing a current Great Britain International competitor.

Faye Stevenson (Percy Hedley Sports Academy) finished in second place in the BC3 category after also facing a Great Britain International competitor in the final and four other GB internationals throughout the group and playoff stages.

Following the competition both Anika and Faye were invited to attend training for the England Squad later this year.

Adam Parry, Sport Development Officer for the Percy Hedley Sports Academy, said "A small team represented the North East at the CP Sport National Boccia finals and to come away with performances and results like we did is a tribute to all of the coaches, development officers, support workers and most of all the players. The North East is making big changes in its delivery of Boccia and these results are testament to the success of its scheme."