Throughout the calendar year, Special Olympics Wisconsin organizes tournaments for 18 different Olympic-type sports. One sport that is extremely popular with Special Olympics athletes is bocce, with 449 players expected to play at the Outdoor Sports Tournament this year. Bocce is a popular sport among our athletes because while it requires a great deal of skill and strategy, it is able to be played by individuals of all ages and abilities!
Donna Wiersma has been a member of Special Olympics Wisconsin for 18 years and has participated in sports such as track and field, swimming, and basketball skills. However, the sport that she fell in love with was bocce and has been competing for the past 15 years. Her favorite part of playing is, “throwing the pallino farther and farther, and sometimes knocking the other team’s pallino out of play.”
To Donna, bocce is about more than just playing the game. Bocce gives her a chance to make long-lasting friendships not only with her team, Y of the Tigers, but with athletes from across the state. She has been a member of Y of the Tigers since it was created three years ago and looks forward to practicing every week. Donna said, “I love being able to play with people who are my friends.”
Donna’s coach, Kerri Frey, said, “Donna is a great athlete and really loves being a part of Y of the Tigers. She is always willing to give 110% and will help motivate her teammates whenever they need it.”
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