The sun shone on the Horowhenua Special Olympic team's first bocce competition in Levin last Saturday.
Local athletes, including Eru Whakatihi taking his shot, above, hosted the certificate day, attended by 44 people from Horowhenua, Kapiti, Wellington, Wanganui and South Taranaki. A cross between petanque and bowls, bocce was gaining popularity worldwide, with a court opened at the Levin Adventure Playground in February, team secretary Sharon Whakatihi said. "People in wheelchairs can play it and the competition is quite fierce."
The local team would host a tournament every year, Ms Whakatihi added. The next contest would be in Wellington on October 19, hosted by the Kapiti Special Olympics team.
Photo: Nick Simmons