Local Solicitor Helps To Get The Ball Rolling At The Boccia Open on 29 September

North East charity SMILE Through Sport is set to host the biggest boccia open event ever to take place in England this weekend, with record numbers of competitors arriving in Gateshead to take part.

Sponsored by the Newcastle office of Irwin Mitchell, the event on Sunday 29 September will see over 100 competitors drawn from Scotland, Scarborough, Sheffield and Leeds at Gateshead Leisure Centre for the fifth SMILE Boccia Open. The event runs from 10.00am to 5.00pm.

A precision ball sport similar to bowls, boccia can be played by competitors with a range of physical disabilities. The SMILE Open welcomes players from beginner to international standard and with an age range from eight to 56, Sunday’s competition is a truly open and inclusive event.

Established in 2013 by Paralympian Stephen Miller MBE, SMILE Through Sport provide disability sports opportunities that inspire participation and improve public perceptions of disability sport.

The Boccia Open has become a key event in the charity’s calendar and this year’s competition follows National Boccia Day on 27 September, marking boccia’s 35 years as a Paralympic Sport.

Stephen Miller MBE, the Founder of SMILE Through Sport, said: “I’m looking forward to the 5th SMILE Boccia Open which is generously sponsored by Irwin Mitchell. I will be taking part as I have done in all the previous opens, I’m a competitive person so of course I’ll be trying my best to win with my playing partner, however enjoying the event and having fun is the main objective.

Boccia is a great sport to play and to watch and is inclusive to everyone. We are very excited by the record number of entries we’ve had this year and hope everyone has an enjoyable experience.”

Expert Opinion

“Irwin Mitchell is an official partner of Boccia UK, the sport’s national governing body, so we are proud to be supporting one of the largest ever boccia events in the UK and wish everyone involved the best of luck.”

“Our Don’t Quit, Do It campaign highlights the benefits of disability sport and we have seen many clients go on to achieve much by taking part in boccia. Supporting the SMILE Boccia Open is a great way to raise awareness here in the North East and hopefully encourage more to take part in this and other boccia events in the future."
Jennifer Craven - Associate Solicitor