We're Pleased to Announce a New Addition to the Family!
BOCCE
You toss a ball down a lane -- but it's not bowling. You try bump another player's ball out of the way -- but it's not croquet. It's Bocce and it's the South Region Stars newest sport. Here's how its played:
1. |
After a coin toss, one team gets to throw a little ball onto the court. |
2. |
Then the players take turns trying to get their balls closest to the little ball. |
3. |
This is done by tossing the ball close to the little ball or by knocking another player's ball away from the little ball. |
4. |
Points are awarded for the balls that are closest to the little ball. |
Okay -- so there are a few more rules -- but you'll quickly get the idea -- and you'll have fun doing so. We're going to wait until track and field season ends to start practicing but when we do, get ready to rock!
Wait, there's more. In addition to offering a great festive atmosphere, there are a couple of other benefits of playing Bocce as well:
Modified bocce is designed for lower ability or mobility athletes who do not have the physical skills to play by the regular Special Olympics’ bocce rules. (This isn’t a choice -- if an athlete can successfully do the skills then we are not allowed to enter them in the Modified Event.)
Unified Doubles allows us to combine athletes with and without cognitive disabilities onto one team. This lets brothers and sisters, moms and dads, or family friends compete with their family member, schoolmate, and/or friend with a cognitive disability. (Note that unified partners must also be registered with Special Olympics of Minnesota. If you think you might like to try this, please make sure that the unified partner completes the registration process sooner rather than later. )
Our first Bocce practce will be on Tuesday, June 22 (weather permitting) at 6 pm. We'll wrap up at 7:15, before the mosquitos get too nasty.
REGISTRATION IS DUE BY JUNE 22, 2010
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
| • | All athletes, regardless of ability and age, are welcome to be a part of the South Region Stars Bocce Team. |
| • | You must register by June 22. Click on the link at the bottom of this page to obtain a form. |
| • | This is a great sport for those who don't like team competitions or require a sport that's physically less strenuous than softball. | • | Regardless of whether you plan to participate in a meet, all athletes must be registered with Special Olympics of Minnesota to participate. This includes completing a consent form and physical examination and sending these documents to SOMN. | • | DON'T FORGET TO BRING WATER TO ALL PRACTICES! |
PRACTICE INFORMATION FOR BOCCE:
We practice from 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm at Garlough Elementary School,
1740 Charlton Street, West St. Paul
Tuesdays from 6:00 - 7:15 pm
June |
July |
August |
|
Tuesday |
22 |
6 |
3 |
Tuesday |
29 |
13 |
AT SOUTHSIDE BAPTISTS CHURCH |
Tuesday |
20 |
17 |
|
Tuesday |
27 |
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BOCCE COMPETITIONS
AREA 12 COMPETITION
(As usual, athletes must participate in an area meet to qualify for state)
Monday, July 26th, 2010
Hidden Greens, Hastings
STATE COMPETITION
Saturday and Sunday, August 21 and 22
Maple Grove Junior High
7000 Hemlock Lane
Maple Grove, MN 55369
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HOW TO REGISTER
| • | Click on the link below to obtain your registration form. |
| • | Please answer all of the following questions before returning this form to Reine (or one of the bocce coaches) at practice or mail it to her at: Reine Shiffman, 1595 Diane Road, Mendota Heights, MN 55118-3626 |
| • | The form must be filled out completely!!! |
| • | If you plan to attend the State Bocce Competition in August, include a check for $25.00, made payable to: So. Region Stars Special Olympics |
| • | Click here to go to the Bocce Registration Form! |
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT UNIFIED PARTNERS:
1. Complete a Special Olympics Minnesota Volunteer Application for a volunteer background check at:
www.specialolympicsminnesota.org/On_Line_Learning.php.
2. Unified Partner must include a Social Security Number if over the age of 18 and two letters of reference if under 18. Be sure to include the delegation with which you will be participating.
3. Complete a Special Olympics Minnesota Application for Participation in Unified Sports at:
4. Complete the online Protective Behaviors training at:
www.specialolympics.org/protectivebehaviors
See you on the court!
Your South Region Stars Bocce Coaches