Meet Downingtown East鈥檚 Interscholastic Unified Bocce Team
EXTON, Pa. — Our community may not yet be aware of the PIAA high school sport, Interscholastic Unified Bocce, however, the Downingtown East Bocce Team is gaining attention. Since its beginning in 2018, this team is establishing a high standard for strong team dynamics, inclusion, skill, focus, and fun.
Each Interscholastic Unified Bocce team consists of up to eight players with an equivalent pairing of individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. All participants play in each match held on gym floor courts of PVC piping using indoor bocce balls team. The object of the game is for team members to get their colored ball closest to the palina (small game ball) for a maximum score of four per frame. Matches end after 30 minutes or when one team reaches 16 points.
The Downingtown East Bocce Team started its first season in 2018-2019, connected by a strong partnership with the school鈥檚 football and women鈥檚 soccer teams, who provided a solid background in athletics. Since the beginning there has been an emphasis on bonding, during and outside of school hours that has led the players to develop friendships that has inspired athleticism in their 鈥渂uddy鈥� partners. It is common for the teammates to go to the movies and football games and sit together at lunch. The authenticity of their friendships drives the team to do well on the court. During 2019 – 2020, the team鈥檚 second season, they made their way to the PIAA States. Unfortunately, the team experienced a setback when the timing of the coronavirus pandemic鈥檚 start canceled the competition, but this team still holds the district鈥檚 title as regional champions.
The athletes develop patience, communication, and strategy throughout the season while practicing twice a week and playing up to five matches. The game of bocce is unique in that the coaches are not allowed to interject during the thirty minutes of play. Teammates can communicate with one another, but in the court, it is the sole responsibility of the individual in play to make the decisions. This type of sport is unique because it promotes and inspires independence.
Each team member has a unique story about their adversity and triumph, including captains, senior Will McHale and junior Alex Rickards. Will was a starting fullback and linebacker for the DEHS football team when he shattered his lower leg during pre-season training in the spring, which led to a devastating loss of his last high school season. He spent time in the hospital, experienced multiple surgeries, an infection, and many months of therapy. His coaches, other players, and fans witnessed that he never lost perspective of the greater purpose of being an athlete by supporting the team through its ups and downs. He stood on the sidelines during practices and games while he recovered, a 鈥渟elfless act of love鈥� exemplifying his value of friendship with his teammates that he continues into this bocce season.
Alex underwent reconstructive surgery to correct his gait last spring, enduring weeks in the hospital and months in therapy to regain the ability to walk. Through his pain and lengthy healing process, he maintained a contagious smile and aimed to play bocce for Downingtown East. He worked diligently to earn the leadership acknowledgment as a captain, and both young men are an example to their bocce teammates in resiliency, optimism, and purpose.
The Downingtown East Bocce athletic program now has 14 players, divided into two teams, Blue and Gold. At their first match before the winter break, the Gold Team triumphed with a close score of 5-4, and Blue Team won 8-4. In exciting news, the Downingtown High School East Special Olympics club and Unified Bocce team were awarded a $1,000 grant by The Believe and Achieve Foundation to promote inclusion and awareness of neurodiversity in athletics. The groups will use the funds to replace aging Bocce materials and their trip to Citizens Bank Park on February 10th for the Special Olympics Polar Plunge.
Although a significant gain of the Interscholastic Unified Bocce sport at Downingtown East is promoting athleticism, the meaningful and authentic friendships created as a by-product of this team is the underlying intention, and every athlete contributes to that achievement.
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