Life is just more fun for bocce players!
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By Elvia Picco
Ready for a game of Bocce? The bocce season is here. It’s a great way to stay active and reconnect On Sunday, June 13, the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club (KCIC) hosted its first bocce ball tournament. Many KCIC members and friends in the community safely gathered outdoors by the bocce lanes at Parkinson Recreation Centre to “roll out” the 2021 bocce season. The competition was stiff. There were some sharp players and observant officiators in the tournament. It rained a bit but the spirit of getting together and playing a few games of bocce was well worth it. New to Bocce? Bocce, also known as Italian lawn bowling, is one of the most widely played games in the world. It is gaining popularity in Canada, the United States and in other locations. Bocce is best known in Italy where groups of retired citizens gather in a town square for an afternoon or evening game of bocce. This simple game can be played by people of all ages and skill level. When participating and playing a few games of bocce with KCIC members, they are open and willing to guide you through the rules of the game. If you want to learn more about the game, a suggestion is to Google bocce on the internet for information and videos that show rules, tips and techniques. Remember, when starting a new sport, have patience with yourself to learn and keep it fun! The KCIC is planning some upcoming bocce ball tournaments. We encourage all age levels to participate with family members and friends. Visit the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club website to get more information. |
Photos contributed by KCIC member - Elvia Picco
September 12 Winners
Sofia & Luigi Vince & Nella Lucy & Iuccio |
Winners from the June 13 Tournament
- Cosmo, Joe & Gabriella Winners from the August 15 Tournament -First Place - Cosmo and Laura -Second Place - Armando & Barbara -Third Place - Camillo & Kiana Winners from September 12 Tournament -First Place - Sofia & Luigi -Second Place - Vince & Nella -Third Place - Lucy & Iuccio |
The June 13, 2021 Tournament
Ancient Egyptian carvings showing the playing of Bocce
What is Bocce Ball?
The sport is played with one small ball (the pallino) and eight larger balls (bocce-singular, bocci-plural) – Four for each team. The pallino is thrown first and becomes the target. Then each bocce is thrown with the goal of placing it as close to the pallino as possible.
The sport has been played for at least 7 thousand years, making it one of the oldest sports on earth. The first documentation of the game is in a wall mural in an Egyptian tomb from 5200 B.C. It was the Greeks that brought Bocce to Italy. It became so popular that it was banned for a time because errant balls kept hitting the knees of noblemen as they tried to walk through town. The modern game was popularized by Giussepe Garibaldi, the general and statesman who unified Italy in the 19th century.
Bocce Ball is truly a universal sport, being played under various names (with variations in rules and play) including lawn bowling, skittles, pentanque and boules.
At our Club, Bocce Ball has been played by members since the beginning. Over our history, teams from our club have won medals at local, regional, provincial and even national competitions.
Bocce is a great activity for all ages and abilities. For more information regarding Bocce contact the Clubhouse or Guido di Fabrizio at 250 764-4054.
The sport is played with one small ball (the pallino) and eight larger balls (bocce-singular, bocci-plural) – Four for each team. The pallino is thrown first and becomes the target. Then each bocce is thrown with the goal of placing it as close to the pallino as possible.
The sport has been played for at least 7 thousand years, making it one of the oldest sports on earth. The first documentation of the game is in a wall mural in an Egyptian tomb from 5200 B.C. It was the Greeks that brought Bocce to Italy. It became so popular that it was banned for a time because errant balls kept hitting the knees of noblemen as they tried to walk through town. The modern game was popularized by Giussepe Garibaldi, the general and statesman who unified Italy in the 19th century.
Bocce Ball is truly a universal sport, being played under various names (with variations in rules and play) including lawn bowling, skittles, pentanque and boules.
At our Club, Bocce Ball has been played by members since the beginning. Over our history, teams from our club have won medals at local, regional, provincial and even national competitions.
Bocce is a great activity for all ages and abilities. For more information regarding Bocce contact the Clubhouse or Guido di Fabrizio at 250 764-4054.