The Australian Junior Open, held recently in Queensland at the Redlands Sporting Club, is a pathway for young athletes who achieve first in their events to automatically qualify to join the Australian Squad team. They are then selected to represent Australia in the upcoming annual Denis Ravera International Challenge to be held in Monaco later this year.
On Sunday, June 25, Bocce Australia conducted the Australian Squad selection training day at the Liverpool Catholic Club Bocce courts in New South Wales.
Nine qualifying junior athletes were showcasing their skills for Australian coach Stefano Chiandotto and Victorian Head Junior coach Angelo Parisi and participating in various disciplines including doubles, precision and rapid relay.
The national coaching panel will advise Bocce Australia of their player recommendations for U15, U18, U23 and Female Open age categories. A team of up to 10 can be chosen to participate internationally and training camps leading up to the event will be undertaken in each state in preparation.
Bocce Australia National Sports Development Director Sonia Fava, who organised the day on behalf of Bocce Australia, said: “Our bocce juniors are the next generation of our sport. Bocce Australia is committed to supporting, developing and investing in our juniors for their personal development and to be able to represent and compete on behalf of Australia at an international level.
“It is great to see the players who went overseas last year grow from the experience and return to Australia motivated to train hard and continue to improve their performance which was evident at this year’s Australian Junior Open championships.
“Watching how hard they are working, especially post all the COVID pandemic restrictions, I am confident Australia will resume our place as one of the top 8 countries and continue to produce high performing bocce athletes”.
The Australian junior team will be officially announced later this week.