Boccia Canada Sending a Team to the Povoa World Boccia Youth Championships
Concentrated Nico Iemma went undefeated at the Défi sportif AlterGo National Open this April
Ottawa, ON (July 9, 2023) – Three youth boccia athletes, identified as having great potential were invited to compete in their first international competition ever. They have been competing at national competitions for several years now and their results speak for themselves.
“Going to the first World Boccia Youth Championships in July is about experience for these three Canadian kids. We always want athletes’ first international experience to be positive and we believe that playing against other athletes of the same age will be excellent for their development,” explained High-Performance Director, Mario Delisle.
Boccia Canada has decided to bring BC3 athletes Carter Plumb (Brampton, ON) and Nico Iemma (Oshawa, ON) along with BC2 athlete Olivier Roy (Québec City, QC) to the Povoa World Boccia Youth Championships.
“We believe these young athletes selected are ready for this challenge and they are surely very excited about the opportunity. They’ve already participated in many events across Canada and have done exceptionally well in 2022 and 2023 thus far. Receiving their first international classification at this event will also allow more clarity for us going forward.”
Fourteen-year-old, Iemma, just came off a huge gold medal performance at the 2023 Défi sportif AlterGo National Open where he beat out a lot of experienced and older Boccia Canada athletes. “I feel like I have a strong work ethic and I think all athletes, competitive or otherwise, should have a strong work ethic. It helps that my support team (family, friends, and coaches) also have the same work ethic. There’s no I in team. As far as winning Defi… we were nervous about new equipment but felt good about our mental prep. Both ended up working out well.”
Roy in BC2 men’s individual was also crowned champion at the 2023 Défi sportif AlterGo National Open, but of the BC2 class. He has been an athlete on Boccia Canada’s Espoir Team for the second consecutive year and will have the opportunity to compete internationally for the first time ever in Povoa.
“The anticipation of the Povoa World Boccia Youth Championships is occupying a large part of my thoughts up until now, as it’s an extraordinary opportunity. I’ll be meeting the next generation of boccia players in all categories from all over the world and I hope to get to know them throughout the week I’m there. I’m keeping my mind fixed on my performance and goals while making the most of this golden opportunity!”
Another fourteen-year-old, Plumb, rounds out the group in BC3 class men’s individual where he will compete against his Ontario native, Iemma.
Plumb lives by the motto that “hard work will always pay off”. My journey to my first international tournament has been exciting and quick so I’m really excited about this opportunity to grow as a boccia player and person.” He has had a lot of success to date within his province and is ready for this next step in his athletic journey. Last year, he came fifth at the London Cannonballs Boccia Blast.
The link for the results, schedule, and webcast will be updated once classification is finished tomorrow via Boccia Canada’s Facebook page here. The competition begins this Tuesday.
About Boccia Canada
Boccia Canada is the boccia delivery arm of the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA), the National Sport Organization for the Paralympic sport of boccia. Boccia Canada is focused on providing athletes and individuals of all ages and skill with the chance to play a unique Paralympic sport. We lead, develop and grow boccia from grassroots to producing World Champions, and we collaborate with partners to increase participation of Canadians with physical disabilities in sport.
About boccia
Boccia is a Paralympic sport of precision and strategy similar to lawn bowling or curling, played by athletes with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and related disabilities. It is one of only two Paralympic sports that do not have an Olympic counterpart. Athletes compete in one of six sport classes based on their level and type of disability: BC1, BC2, BC3 BC4, BC5, and Open.
Media Contact
Holly Janna
Communications Lead and National Team Coordinator, Boccia Canada
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 613-748-1430 x3 | Cell: 514-944-5193