Chris Gard

Deloraine Table Tennis League member Rohan Eastley competed recently at the 2022 Paraquad Boccia State Titles in Hobart. 

Boccia is one of the fastest growing Paralympic sports. 

Rohan made the bronze medal game (BC3 category) against Heath Mollinaeux (Hobart). 

The match was very exciting. Rohan and Heath tied over the 4 ends. In the tiebreak end, their closest bowls were both the same distance from the white ‘jack’ so it went to a second tiebreak end, which Heath won. 

The gold medal went to Dana Devine (Launceston), and silver to Eliza King (Hobart).

In the BC1&2 category, the gold medal went to Jason Mayweather (Queensland), silver to Coreena Harrison (Canberra), and bronze to Nick Milner (Tasmania).

In the BC4 & 5 & EMU category, the gold medal went to Axil Pavey (NSW), silver to Mathew von Hoek (NSW), and bronze to Minna Blaney (Tasmania). 

Rowan was delighted with his first competition, and now has his sights set on representing Australia at the next Paralympics.

“I am a University student at UTAS and I live in Deloraine. I also have Cerebral Palsy (CP). I hope to one day represent Australia at the Paralympics. I’m very happy with my performance and very much looking forward to my next competition,” Rohan said.  

Competition Boccia is for athletes who require a wheelchair because of their disability. But social Boccia can be played by anyone (as long as they are seated). 

Rowan was delighted to discover that he could play Boccia in his home town, “I am so happy to have discovered that Deloraine inclusion table tennis also includes Boccia.”

Inclusion table tennis and Boccia is run by Deloraine Table Tennis League, in partnership with Delgunyah (the Den), and with generous support from the Deloraine Lions club and Westbury Health.

It is on every Tuesday from 3.15 to 5 pm, at the Meander Valley Performing Arts Centre (“the Little Theatre”). 

Inclusion table tennis and Boccia is for people of all ages and abilities, who enjoy playing together and having fun.

Deloraine Table Tennis League, with support from Westbury Health, recently obtained a State Government grant to purchase 8 new wheelchair-friendly table tennis tables, coaching equipment, table sides (made by the Deloraine Community Shed), and Boccia ramps and balls.