page revision date: 11th August 2008

Jacob's thrilled playing for Wales at Boccia

A 13-year-old schoolboy from Pembrokeshire recently represented Wales at Boccia in the Cheshire International Open - after first learning to play the game just three years ago.
Jacob Thomas of Bethesda was among the Welsh Boccia team who competed with teams from all over the world, with many making their final preparations for the Paralympic Games in Beijing. Among the teams were the highly-ranked potential medal winners from Canada, Portugal, Spain and Great Britain themselves.
Jacob, who is a pupil at Ysgol y Preseli, and fellow team mate Jamie Gordon from Rhondda Cynon Taf, performed really well as they won a game off the Irish pair.

Highly impressed

Gerwyn Owen, the Welsh Academy Manager, said the other countries were impressed by the performances of the Welsh squad, and noted how good it was to see young talented players coming through.
“The event was targeted for the players to gain invaluable experience against the best players in the world, and all the players rose to the challenge,” he said after the event. “The other teams were so impressed with the Welsh players that they have invited them to go and train and compete at events in their countries, so they may well gain further international experience in the near future.”
For the uninitiated, Boccia is a game akin to the French game of Boule, but played indoors with leather woods and a leather jack. The players are seated alongside each other and bowl either red or blue balls at the jack, with skill needed to gain pole position in front of the opposing player or pair on the eight-metre long court.

Solid start

Jacob started out when he was a pupil at Ysgol Brynconin and more recently at Ysgol y Preseli, having tried his hand at the Meads Sports Centre, Milford Haven, in a try-it-and-see session. He took to it like a duck to water and from there Jacob has gained a reputation for being a gritty competitor, being invited to play ‘up the line’ for the Boccia Blasters in Cardiff.
He also attends the Welsh Academy Squad sessions at Sophia Gardens and has successfully taken part at competitions in venues as far afield as Gloucester, Liverpool and all over South Wales. Which means a great deal of travel for parents Caroline and Michael, with sister Polly as another great supporter of his in Boccia.

United fan

Outside of his own chosen sport, Jacob enjoys other sports like football (he is an avid Manchester United fan) and tennis, with Rafael Nadal, David Beckham and Ronaldo as some of his heroes. “I like sportsmen with a bit of attitude.” says Jacob with a chuckle.
Jacob certainly has the right attitude because although he has Muscular Dystrophy he doesn’t allow it to stop him taking part and he has a refreshing attitude which some other sportsmen would do well to follow. He has flown the Pembrokeshire flag with pride and we wish this modest and likeable young man every success in the future!
For more information on Boccia in Pembrokeshire, contact Angela Miles, Sport Pembrokeshire Disability Officer, on 01437 774240 or 07920 213651.