LIAM DURKIN
BOCCE
NATIONAL BOCCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
By LIAM DURKIN
MORWELL was the bocce capital of Australia over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
Teams from across the country converged on the Italian-Australian Club to compete at the National Bocce Championships.
The event was a huge coup for Morwell, as it was only the second time a regional centre had been chosen to host.
The timing of this year’s Bocce Nationals added to the gravitas, with 2022 the 50th year of the tournament.
The Bocce Australia board chose Morwell primarily because of its long participation history
with the sport and the contribution that the club and the players have made since they joined the Bocce Federation.
Of the more than 100 players from six different states, a handful flew the local flag.
Making up the Valley Morwell women’s team were Tina D’Urbano, Diane Penney, Mirella Alesi and coach Mary Pagani.
The Gippsland Morwell women’s team consisted of Christina Finocchiaro, Maria Maselli, Anna Prezioso and coach Sally Fava.
Fava also coached the Valley Morwell men’s team of Frank Finocchiaro, Frank D’Urbano and
Benny Alessi.
The Gippsland Morwell men’s team was Tony Paolini, Felice Preziso, Nick Albanese and coach Nick Cooper.
The local teams progressed to the quarter-finals in various disciplines, but unfortunately, did not go on from there.
Diane Penney did have better luck on an individual front however, winning the women’s
precision throw.
Some exciting bocce was played throughout the four days from June 10 to 13, most notably in the form of the ‘progressive throw’.
Those not familiar with bocce may be surprised to learn there are different formats played, with one such being rapid throw.
In that particular format, players must run continuously from one end of the court to the other for five minutes, all the while hitting target balls.
The fast-paced nature of this style ensures plenty of excitement packed into a short timeframe, making it enticing for younger players.
For a game that is traditionally thought of as an ‘old person’s sport’, the nationals well and truly showed this wasn’t the case, as fit, young and athletic men and women took to the courts.
Youngsters also enthusiastically took over commentary of the finals on the last day via a live stream that was being filmed.
That being said, the nationals showcased a great crossover of generations, allowing players of all ages to compete with and against each other.
New South Wales was crowned champion team for the men’s, while in the women’s, a winner could not be split between Redlands (Queensland) and Victoria Metro.
The who’s who of Bocce Australia made their way down for the tournament, including president Frank Funari.
Funari wished to thank all involved for their work in making the nationals a success.
“It has been wonderful here, this Morwell club, they have pristine, first-class bocce facilities and the hospitality from the club and all the volunteers truly made it a very friendly and enjoyable national championships,” he said.
“The four days were fantastic, we had some great events. With the opening night we had the fast progressive throw and there was one point between the two champions, then we had some great competition right up until the finals where we saw some great skills, thrilling games with eventual winners.”
Those on the Morwell Bocce committee were finally able to rest easy after the tournament was finished, capping off a journey that started two years ago and suffered repeat roadblocks during the COVID minefield.
Speaking on the second day, Maria Maselli of the Morwell Bocce committee said it was a proud moment for the club.
“We have been working on this for two years,” she said.
“Now it is finally here we are so happy to have everybody come to our club. We have done so much work in here, we have built two extra courts, cleaned everything up, and just worked so hard.
“We’ve had so many comments from Western Australia, Queensland, happy with how the facilities are. There has been a lot of hard work, a lot of behind the scenes stuff, but it has finally paid off … we are very happy with the way it has turned out.
“For a little country town we’re not doing too bad.”
Bocce Australia National sports director Sonia Fava was also in Morwell for the nationals, saying the sport had plans to grow into the future.
“The competitive side of bocce probably isn’t as known in Australia, but there is definitely a
competitive arm,” she said.
“Lots of people play social bocce, in the parks, with friends, at the beach, it is growing quite a lot which is fantastic.”
The nationals concluded with a gala dinner on Monday, June 13 at Emilio’s Bistro.
Winning teams and champion players were presented their awards, while in true Italian style, guests were treated to a glass of wine on every table.
Following the formalities, attendees sang and danced the night away,
Speaking of his vision for bocce in the future, Funari hoped one day the sport would find its way to the Olympics.
With Italians known for their cheeky sense of humour, the bocce president could not leave
Morwell without making one final remark on how close they came.
“We thought we had them but lost to roller skating,” he said.
