Paralympic champion David Smith OBE pops by Velmore Community Centre to chat about his career in Boccia!

Our Velmore Community Club were thrilled to welcome a three-time Paralympic champion to their session on Tuesday 17 October, as David Smith OBE popped by to give the club members a Boccia Masterclass. 

David has been involved in four Paralympic Games for Great Britain and was invited along to the session to speak about his career in the sport of Boccia, as well as share some words of advice for our Velmore club members who often play Boccia during their time with Sporting Memories.

David is originally from Eastleigh and began his time with the Sporting Memories group about describing growing up locally and living with Cerebral Palsy, being a big fan of football and supporting Southampton FC as well as how he found his way into playing Boccia.

David has won a number of individual and team titles during his career, including picking up Gold in the Individual BC-1 class at the last Paralympics Games in Tokyo in 2021. David was joined by his father, who is neighbours with Velmore club member Bob, and his partner as he spent well over an hour chatting and playing Boccia with the members.

David now lives and works in Swansea but is still connected to the local area within Hampshire so was happy to share time with the club members.

Angie Mills-Curtis, Volunteer Coordinator for Sporting Memories across England and Wales, said: “It was brilliant to have David join us for the session at Velmore Community Centre. It’s rare that you get someone with such a brilliant career at the top of their sport come along to our sessions and detail their journey.

“Being a local lad from Eastleigh as well meant David had that great local connection with the members and I know everyone at the club valued his time in speaking with us as well as joining us for a game of Boccia.”

The Sporting Memories club in Chandlers Ford, runs every Tuesday between 4pm to 6pm at the Velmore Community Centre. The club is free to join and welcomes anyone wishing to join, even on a walk-in basis. To find out more about the club, please contact Angie Mills-Curtis via angie.mills-curtis@sportingmemories.uk

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