Public invited to bocce ball debut Monday at Central Mountain High School
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – Postponed from earlier this month, Central Mountain’s newest sport, bocce ball, makes its debut this coming Monday, scheduled for the Wildcat gymnasium at 4 p.m.
Admission is free and spectators are asked to wear white in support of the Wildcat team which will be competing against Bellefonte High School. The inaugural event will also be streamed on therecord-online.
The Keystone Central School Board in November of 2020 gave its approval to the unique new sport, establishment of the Central Mountain Unified Indoor Bocce Team. A three-game schedule had been set up for last winter but the pandemic interceded and the program delayed a year, but now it’s ready to go.
With funding provided by Special Olympics, the program is for both Special Olympic athletes and non-Special Olympic students.
The Record earlier this month presented CM officials with some questions, looking for answers to this new opportunity for the youth of the community:
How did it get into the high schools? Do we know how many teams there are?
Bocce is an Italian game. The basic principle of the sport is to roll a bocce ball closest to the target ball, which is called a palina. Bocce as a Special Olympics sport provides people with special needs the opportunity to have social contact, develop physically and to gain self-confidence. Next to soccer and golf, bocce is the third most participated sport in the world.
How did this all come about?
Last November, faculty member Len Rutecki presented the idea to the school board, and KCSD accepted the program for the 2020-21 school year. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, last year’s season was suspended. We are excited to hold our first annual season this winter.
How is the Central Mountain team chosen?
We selected a team based on interest, and that students were not participating in another winter sport. There is a minimum of three players with intellectual disabilities and three without. The total roster can include up to 8 per one team. We hope to grow to two teams in the future.
What is the relationship among the students with one another?
Our team has had an excellent relationship with one another so far. Most of the students already work with each other in our adapted physical education class and have built camaraderie. They are looking forward to competing and having fun while doing so. We at Central Mountain High School are incredibly excited about the opportunity for these students and cultivating the spirit of inclusion in our school.
Should there be cheering from spectators?
Yes, absolutely! It will be an excellent atmosphere for all students and families at the contests.
