Happy Feet! Newfoundland’s Joe Philpott brings new dimension at 30th Canadian Boccia Championships

OTTAWA – Joe Philpott of St. John’s N.L., displayed some unique skills in his big tournament debut at the 30th Canadian Boccia Championships which concluded on Sunday.

The 16-year-old amazed the gathering at the RA Centre with his dazzling precision and decision making on his throws. But unlike his opponents in the BC1 category, Philpott uses his foot to deliver the ball.

In boccia, most players use their hands or in the case of the BC3 category aim their throw with an adjustable ramp.

Not only did Philpott make a big impression on the court but on the scoreboard as well.

In individual play he earned two wins and two losses to place third in his pool for fifth overall with a +15 point differential. On Sunday in team play, he helped Newfoundland and Labrador to fourth

‘’This is his first big tournament so it was all about the experience,’’ said Joe’s father Paul Philpott. ‘’The goal here was hopefully to win a few ends but he wound with a couple of victories. He’s doing really well.’’

Discovers sport through Boccia Canada’s Free Equipment Kits delivery during COVID

In March 2021, Boccia Canada distributed boccia kits to eighty people across Canada, free of charge. The goal was to encourage boccia development in Canada during the pandemic.

One of the recipients was Joe Philpott.

‘’We didn’t know very much about the sport,’’ said Paul Philpott. ‘’My wife signed up for it. When we got the kit, we connected to a coach online and that was his introduction.

‘’He was learning to play boccia in the hallway (at home).’’

It was suggested Joe could use his foot to throw the ball. A handful of players at the international level are also feet players and some were at the Paralympic Games in Paris.

‘’It’s a very inclusive sport,’’ said Paul Philpott. ‘’So we started from scratch. How do we place the ball, how to deliver it, whether you push or flick it, do you roll it back and forth.’’

Once COVID restrictions lifted, Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador launched a junior program and soon after he was playing recreationally.

‘’It’s keeping him busy,’’ said Paul Philpott, a father of four. ‘’It’s good because it’s an independent sport and he just loves it.’’

His love of the game and attitude impressed the national team coaching staff.

‘’Joe has excellent potential and that it refreshing to see for us because we’ve been looking for a deeper pool in BC1,’’ said Canada’s head coach César Nicolai.

‘’You might think he’s disadvantaged but by moving the ball from the ground he can generate more power. That can be important especially in situations where you want to cause a turnover in ball possession.’’

Golden sweep for Quebec in team and pairs play

The competition concluded Sunday with Quebec’s golden sweep in team and pairs play.

In the BC4-5 and Open pairs, three-time Paralympians Alison Levine and Iulian Ciobanu placed first in an all-Quebec final. They defeated Paralympic medallist Marco Dispaltro and Marc-Antoine Goupil 5-3.

‘’We found our energy in that last game,’’ said Ciobanu, fourth with Levine in pairs at the 2024 Paralympics. ‘’It was great to be back on the court and get that feeling back when we play together.’’

Ontario with Martha Gustafson, a four-time Paralympian in athletics, and Gio de Sero took the bronze.

In BC 1-2 team, Quebec with two-time Paralympian Danyk Allard, Olivier Roy and Doria Belal beat B.C., (Nathan Bragg, Chris Halpen and Hanif Mawji) in the final with Ontario (Paralympian Lance Cryderman, Maggie Julian and Dominic Gomez) third.

In BC3 pairs, Marylou Martineau and Alexandre Lemaire won the straight round robin with Ontario (Joshua Gautier and Carter Plumb) second and a second Quebec team with Samuel Lafleur and Alexandre Raymond third.

Head coach César Nicolai sees bright future

With the start of a four-year quadrennial until the next Games in 2028, Nicolai was delighted with what he saw at nationals.

‘’The game has progressed in all categories in Canada,’’ he said. ‘’The new players have a strong base both technically and strategically.

‘’We are moving forward with great enthusiasm with an established solid base and new prospects moving in.’’