The Royal Hospital of Neurodisability is a hospital with around 260 beds and is an independent charity for those with serious neurodisability problems like brain traumas. On Saturday 25th March, members of the Royal Hospital of Neurodisability, RHN Rollers, took part in a competition against the Phoenix team from another hospital playing several rounds of the game boccia. It was a hotly contested event after both teams had practised for several weeks in preparation for the special day. Cheers and hooting as well as sighs and pats on the back set the scene of the good sportsmanship that the teams presented on the day yet it was a nail-biting and tense time.
At first, the RHN Rollers were neck and neck with the Phoenix. However, the tables turned on them as the opposition soon soared through the final rounds leaving the RHN Rollers rolling around the Jack but not as close as the Phoenix’s. Sarah, a volunteer at the hospital gave her view on this season’s Boccia shake up: “Everyone was determined to win. There were glares and gossip at first but afterwards everyone ended up rather meek and supportive of one another. To be honest with you, it was a blast! I cannot wait to help out in the next season’s competition!”
It could not have been better put as the patients from each team displayed sound techniques and careful judgement using not only the eyes by also the skin receptors around the chin and simple language for the non-verbal to communicate best within the team. If you do have some spare time on your hands, why not join the RHN Trust and volunteer with one of the most amazing, dedicated Boccia teams, who never give up but learn from their mistakes- something that everyone should take inspiration from?
By Thuvaaraha Nagarajan, Nonsuch High School For Girls
