Boccia may not be one of our region's well-known sports, but three Northlanders' success at the Lower North Island Boccia Championships show there is some strength in it.
Originating from a Greek ball tossing sport, Boccia is a cross between indoor bowls and petanque, which is designed for people with disabilities.
However, having a disability did not stop 16-year-old Alex Dickson coming away with a gold medal in the combined BC1, 2 and 4 grades during the weekend.
Dickson's win helps push his case towards national team selection by winning ranking points which push athletes' cases to represent New Zealand at the Asia Oceania Championships in mid-October with the Oceania Championships serving as the first qualification tournament towards the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Fellow Northlanders Michelle Batchelor and Kimberly McLean also came with silver and bronze medals respectively in the Kiwi/open class.
