Special Olympics New Zealand offers lifelong sporting and social opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities, with about 40 clubs and 5500 athletes who compete in 14 Olympic tradition sports.
Bocce is a game of team strategy where red or green balls are thrown toward a smaller target ball — the pallino — with the team closest to the target receiving a point.
Special Olympics South Otago has 12 athletes competing in bocce over summer months and indoor bowls in the winter.
"Most Wednesday nights our athletes come along to club night to demonstrate their skills and compete with their fellow pairs, this provides each with an opportunity to discover their potential in developing their physical fitness and enhancing their skills," co-organiser Lana Mangham-McNamara said.
SOSO hosts two ribbon days a year for indoor bowls and bocce providing potential pathways to compete in regional and national events and possibly the world games.
SOSO welcomes inquiries from anyone to try bocce or volunteering with the organisation.
