Bocce ball is starting up again at West Branch. There was a season in 2020, but there hasn’t been another one since. Members signed up at the beginning of the year and will begin games in December. The team is run by elementary teacher Chad Koleno and Special Education Supervisor Angie Lucas.
The goal of the bocce ball team is to provide an inclusive sport at West Branch for anyone to join. Koleno and Lucas believe in unity and want students with special needs to be able to compete in sports as well. The West Branch bocce ball team is included in PIAA sports. They follow the same rules as the Special Olympics and also must follow PIAA rules, as other sports do. The Special Olympics Athlete Oath is: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
West Branch is part of the Southern Wilds West Division. That division consists of Dubois, Ridgway, St. Mary’s, Clearfield and West Branch. Each team is played twice, once at West Branch and once at each of the other schools. Like other school varsity sports, bocce ball will feature single-elimination districts, regionals and states.
Team leader and coach Koleno says, “I love coaching bocce ball with the athletes and partners. They work hard, and you can see they really enjoy the game of bocce. Bocce originated in Italy. People play in leagues all around the world and also in yards for recreational purposes.”
Lucas adds, “I am looking forward to seeing the athletes work together as a unified team. I am also very excited to see all the athletes succeed and have fun! This is my first coaching experience, and I can’t wait to see what is to come for this program!”
Bocce ball is played in teams. One team throws the small target ball, called the pallino, onto the court. Then both teams try to throw their bocce balls as close to the pallino as possible. Points are scored by getting the ball closest to the pallino. The team that reaches the predetermined score first wins.
The team’s first game is Dec. 11 at home against Clearfield.
