Geelong’s Jen McPherson is a wheelchair boccia (where each player or team takes turns bowling their ball towards a target ball) participant at Geelong West Neighborhood House. She speaks with Jena Carr about what she loves about living in Geelong and playing the accessible sport.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
I am a middle-aged woman who has lived in Geelong since 2009.
I go to a local singing and art group, which I love very much, and I play wheelchair boccia at the local community centre; I started a boccia group. I also love Geelong Cats and go to the footy.
Can you tell me about wheelchair boccia and what you like about it?
Boccia is different to bocce. Boccia is a disabled-orientated sport, and it’s a Paralympic sport. You’ve got a white ball and blue and red balls. It’s played indoors, and different grades match your ability.
This is a sport that I can actually do and play. They have racing, tennis and basketball and are too fast for me.
It’s specifically designed for people with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury and things like that. You can kick the ball with your foot, throw it, and use a stick to roll it down a ramp.
It’s really good fun, and it helped me find a whole new bunch of friends and a new tribe when I went to Canberra.
I understand you’re trying to form a group here in Geelong, is that right?
Yes, it will run on a Friday from noon for about an hour and 45 minutes. I’d love more people to come along and have fun.
At the moment, it’s just me. So, people can contact the Geelong West Neighborhood House to express interest in joining.
What do you like most about where you live?
I can go bushwalking in my chair and go to the beach.
Everything’s close together, and Geelong’s got everything to offer.
The public transport is great down here, and it’s easy to get around with a disability.
What would you say is your favourite place to go and spend time?
I love going down to Torquay on the beach. They’ve got mats down there, so I can get onto the sand, and I like that.
Is there anything that you would change about where you live?
I’m finding it very hard to get a beach wheelchair. I know the Geelong council does have them, but I have no idea where they are.
Knowing where you can get them would be great because I would have access to the water.
