Whangarei disabled athletes Scott Burdett and Kimberley McLean have added more medals to their impressive boccia records. The Whangarei pair came first and third respectively at the National Championships in Auckland, where 41 athletes competed from New Zealand and Australia. Director of boccia in New Zealand Luke Morriss said Burdett and McLean'sachievements at last weekend's event was not a huge surprise thanks to their consistent performance. ``Scott and Kimberley have both consistently been at the top of their grade for the best part of the last decade,'' Morriss said. ``And continue to perform to the same high level even with greater competition starting to try and knock them off. ``Scott, in particular, has an impressive record of four national titles in a row so I am sure that next year everyone will be out to take his crown.'' Fellow Northland club mates Neale Batchelor (fifth), Michelle Batchelor (sixth) and Alex Dickson (12th) also took part in the tournament. The four-day tournament also gave the national squad a last-chance opportunity to gain valuable match practice and stiff pre-competition ahead of the Asia and Oceania Champs later this month. As a sport, boccia is best described as a mix of lawn bowls and petanque and is a sport that allows participants to compete equally regardless of age, gender or level of physical function. It offers plenty of opportunities for individuals with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injuries or stroke, spinal cord damage, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease. The object of the game is to propel as many of your coloured balls as close as possible to the white target ball _ the jack. Players with enough function throw or kick the ball whilst others with less function use a ramp and pointer to guide the ball into court. For info: www.boccia.org.nz.
