29/07/2024
Bocce Australia July 2024 - Presidents Message
As we near the end of July 2024, we see one of the world's biggest sporting events in action, the Paris Olympic Games. It will be a celebration of many sports, including boccia, which is part of the Paralympics. Unfortunately, on this occasion, bocce/boules/petanque/bochas missed out on being included in the Olympic Games. However, with changes to the way the sport is promoted, there is always an opportunity. It is about having the courage to improve and make adjustments in a collaborative manner that leads to success, and that is change!
As John F Kennedy stated: “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future". This sentiment applies to how we envision the growth of bocce in Australia and on the world stage as we aim for future Olympic inclusion.
Closer to home, we are making significant changes to the way we manage, operate, and promote the sport in Australia, ensuring consistency at all levels nationally, as a sport should be. Bocce Australia will be rolling out policies and by-laws that will take effect in the 2025-26 bocce season. Along with new competition formats, it promises to be exciting times for the sport of bocce as we strive to increase participation.
The proposed changes will outline the roles and responsibilities of member states, affiliated clubs, associations, and individual members, along with new competition structures and organisational expansion into additional business sectors and the operation of technical committees.
As the Nationals evolve with greater participation numbers, so too must the administration of the sport. Organisational changes will be part of the policies and by-laws, strengthening the good work being done by many and ensuring a standardised, high-quality approach to managing bocce in Australia, aligned with the Australian Sports Commission's strategy. I, along with our member states, look forward to presenting these changes to a club near you in the coming months.
Frank Funari - CEO and President
BOCCE AUSTRALIA
