- Home
- What's Happening
- News
- Ball-issimo! Bocce Champs Score
Playing bocce has helped James McMullen learn to trust again.
The Ferntree Gully resident plays bocce with Melbourne Eastern Ranges, which is part of the Special Olympics Australia network. This community volunteer club trains people with an intellectual disability in their chosen sport, including bocce, basketball, netball, swimming, ten-pin bowling, athletics and tennis.
Last October, James competed at the National Games in Launceston with Team Victoria, which brought home 81 medals in bocce. The Italian game challenges competitors to roll a bocce ball closest to the target ball or pallina.
“You get to learn new skills, meet new people and it’s just a fun thing to do outside of work to socialise,” James says.
“I’m not one to come out and open up but the more I come to bocce the more I start to trust people. I’m more of a person who keeps to myself and don’t really like to talk to people in big giant groups but understanding that there are people out there who do actually care and are there to support you has made a difference.”
James would love to coach one day, passing his skills on to others and helping other young athletes.
“No matter what disability you have, all you can do is really try your best and if you want to play bocce the coaches are always willing to accommodate you and help you the best way they can to make you feel supported,” he says.
Special Olympics recently received a $10,000 grant from Council’s Community Development Fund. Over the past five years, this Council grants program has provided over $1.5 million to Knox-based community organisations.
Special Olympics coach and Melbourne Eastern Ranges vice chair Michael Migliaccio says he is proud of all that
James and the other players achieved at the National Games and also of the training that they attend regularly at Knox Italian Community Club in Rowville.
“Our Melbourne Eastern Ranges bocce group has grown from seven to 22 athletes since 2017 and we have a
few more that want to join during 2023,” Michael says.
“Bocce helps people develop their confidence. It’s a non-strenuous game, it’s a target game and it’s fun. It’s about learning new skills and helping people come out of their shell and have a good time. It’s not only about ourselves but it’s also about the team. When you have a competition, if there’s somebody who can’t lift the ball off the ground, you’ve got to help pick it up for them.
“I love being their coach. It just gives me joy when I’m with them and to see their smile when they achieve their goals whether big or small.
“At the Nationals, James made me very proud because he helped everybody else as well — the whole team was fantastic. That’s what it’s all about in the Special Olympics.”
The Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Berlin from 17-25 June, 2023.
Come and try bocce or other sports for three free training sessions. Contact sports coordinator Theodora Niakolas on 0407 848 607 or email melbourneeasternranges.sport@specialolympics.com.au
Share
What's happening
-
Events, activities and festivals
- Knox Factor
- Festivals and civic events
- Community event info and registration
- Community training: Best practice financials for community groups and clubs
- Community training: Building a fundraising plan
- Community training: Grant writing
- Community training: Knox City Council Grant Programs Information Session
- International Women's Day networking event
- Move Your Way - Activities for Seniors and Carers
- Move Your Way - All Abilities Activities
- Move Your Way - Group Fitness
- Move Your Way - Kids and Youth Activities
- Move Your Way - Outdoor Activities
- Have Your Say
-
News
- A revitalised route for Boronia
- Check out our new Knox waste trucks
- Cr Susan Laukens elected Knox Mayor
- Electoral irregularities
- Free Community Training Workshops
- Get growing with Gardens for Harvest
- International Women's Day networking event
- Join the Environment Advisory Committee
- Join the Knox Multicultural Advisory Committee
- Kindergarten community panel
- Knox recycling efforts a huge success
- Knox retailer networking session
- LED streetlight upgrades across Knox
- Local play just got more exciting
- Move Your Way returns for 2025!
- New playground at Tim Neville Arboretum now open
- Paving the way, sustainably
- Protecting our green areas and significant spaces
- Removal of pine trees at Koolunga Native Reserve
- Reusable Nappy Workshop
- Revitalising Boronia
- Safer streets for Boronia
- Showcase your creativity by reimagining waste
- Take time out in nature with Biodiversity Month
- Winning government grants and tenders workshop
- Arts in Knox
-
Major projects and initiatives
- Capital Works Projects at Sports Facilities
- Chandler Road shared path and road renewal project
- Demolition of Knox Basketball Stadium (Boronia)
- Gilbert Park upgrades
- Kings Park pavilion
- Lewis Park Masterplan
- Marie Wallace Park Upgrade
- Park Ridge Reserve Upgrade
- Tormore Reserve pavilion upgrade
- Wantirna Reserve redevelopment
- Community groups and volunteering
- Explore Knox
-
Event Calendar
- Bee Gees Revival
- Both Sides, Rachel Beck
- Burt Bacharach (Featuring Michael Cormick)
- Diamond
- Downtown, the Songs of Petula Clark Featuring Melissa Langton
- Everly Brothers & Buddy Holly
- FRITZ (School Holiday Feature Show)
- Ferntree Gully Community Arts Centre - Term 1 Classes (Adults)
- Ferntree Gully Community Arts Centre - Term 2 Classes
- Knox Fest 2025
- Lady Be Good, The Songs of Ella Fitzgerald (Featuring Nina Ferro)
- Melbourne Comedy Showcase (ft. Dave O’Neil, Billy Stiles and Sonia Di Iorio)
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow
- Move Your Way - Movement for Mind Activities
- Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frankly Sinatra
- Pets in the Park
- STUFF! (School Holiday Feature Show)
- Sincerely Yours, Dame Vera Lynn (Featuring Victoria Mantynen)
- Sunglasses at Night. The 80-‘s Apocalypse Sing-Along Cabaret
- Tenori
- The Beatlez
- The Waiting Room, Born in a Taxi
- Tis the Season – A Very Jazzy Christmas Spectacular
- Wish Upon A Star – The Disney Songbook (ft. Danielle Matthews)
- Women of Wit
- You’re An Instrument (School Holiday Feature Show)
- Knox eNews