When I was at school, I used to play Boccia all the time. I went to every training session and competition that I could. Boccia was my game. It was what I was good at. I loved other sports too, but I knew Boccia was different in a good way. It was something I felt I could be great at and achieve something in. At school, I played using a ramp because my movements were too uncontrollable for me to grip the ball, let alone throw it safely.

However, when I went to Treloar College, something changed. I don’t know if it was just because it was a whole new different experience or maybe I wanted to see who I was without the game, but my interest in sport dropped. I was no longer interested in playing Boccia, so that was the start of my ten-year break.

After Treloar I then went on to Bournemouth College to do a BTEC Level 3 in IT, and at the same time I moved into my flat, so life was exciting and busy all at the same time. To be honest, I didn’t think about Boccia at all.

It wasn’t until about my third year of volunteering at Victoria Education Centre that I thought about going back to Boccia. I was assisting in one of the lessons, and I was asked to pair up with one of the students to make up the numbers, so I said yes, of course. I asked my PA to get me a ramp, and she suggested that I should try throwing, and if I couldn’t do it, she would then get me a ramp. Much to my surprise, I was pretty good at throwing. After that, I started attending training sessions every week, and I have come so far since that day. I’m proud of what I have achieved.

I have been playing Boccia again for the last year and a half. I have reignited my passion for the game and hope to achieve even more great things this time around. I’m excited about what the future holds. I think it will be a brilliant experience whatever it is.