Bratz@Home Boccia Kits Returns with Support from Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund
Ottawa, ON (July 15, 2021) – Thanks to Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund, Boccia Canada is delivering a phase two of the popular Bratz@Home equipment kit program. Through this program, eighty children, youth and adults with disabilities will receive free boccia equipment and coaching support to develop their boccia skills. The goal of the program is to encourage grassroots boccia development in Canada.
“Unfortunately, boccia equipment is sometimes difficult to find locally and can be costly” says Jennifer Larson, Boccia Canada Program Manager. “Through this program, we’re proud that we can give more people a chance to try boccia, since it’s a sport that’s open to all, regardless of ability.”
Each kit has a set of boccia balls, targets, cones, a hula hoop, a beach ball, a Bratz@Home activity manual, and Boccia Canada stickers. Recipients will also receive five, one-hour sessions of coaching either online or in person with a trained, National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) boccia coach.
Recipients are enjoying the kits they received as part of the first phase of the program: “I can practice at home and beat the NeuroMotion therapists,” says Eden Kovacik who plays against his physiotherapist, Alex Leroux. Leroux has noticed an improvement in Kovacik’s mobility since receiving the kit: “Eden has improved on his hand-eye coordination and his upper extremity strength from throwing each ball. Another large improvement from Eden is working on his grasping skills, where he has improved on opening both hands wide to be able to grip the ball.”
Boccia Canada will be working with the Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (OCPSA) to mail the kits to selected recipients in phase two of the program. The Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund is targeted to provide fifty kits for those 25 years or younger, while Boccia Canada will provide an additional thirty kits for recipients of any age. Geography will also be considered when selecting recipients to ensure development is being supported across Canada.
The deadline to request a kit is August 15, 2021 and there is a limit of one kit per person. Where possible, recipients will be connected to a local boccia program so that they can continue to enjoy all that boccia has to offer.
In the first phase, Boccia Canada provided eighty equipment kits to aspiring boccia athletes across Canada in March 2021.
- To request a free kit, please fill out the form.
- Bratz@Home equipment kits are also available for purchase directly through the OCPSA webpage OCPSA webpage.
- To follow the delivery, distribution, and receipt of the kits, visit Boccia Canada’s Facebook page.
About Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund
In response to the impact COVID-19 has had on community sport and recreation, Jumpstart began a commitment in 2020 to help ensure that there are continuous opportunities for kids across the country to stay active. In 2020 there were 668 organizations assisted, 70,000+ children impacted, 97 Para Sport programs supported and 65 unique activities thanks to the fund. The Canadian Tire Corporation has continued their generous support by providing $12 million in funding for the Jumpstart Sport Relief Funding in 2021. Learn more about Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund.
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. CCPSA collaborates with partners to increase the participation of Canadians with cerebral palsy and related disabilities in sport and physical activity, while leading, developing and growing boccia from grassroots, to producing World and Paralympic Champions.
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 and National Team Coordinator, Boccia Canada
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 613-748-1430 x3 | Cell: 514-944-5193