Day Service Participant Eric Continues To Shine Playing Boccia

- Leicester City in the Community catch up with day service participant a year on from discovering his love for boccia
- Eric has applied for the Invictus Games and has started coaching the sport to a SEN School
- LCitC run an annual inclusive boccia tournament for day services across the region
- Over 100 participants spanning 18 teams from 10 day services came to King Power Stadium 

Leicester City in the Community work with a number of day service organisations across Leicestershire to deliver sessions to people with pan-disabilities.

As part of this partnership, LCitC host an annual boccia event that Sarah Jones, Inclusive Practice Coach at Leicester City in the Community explains: “We get participants down from all over the county.

“It gives them the opportunity to take part in sport, see King Power Stadium and meet other people. 

“They have got friends in different day services – it is a real positive experience for them.”

One of the day service partners, Enrych, supports adults with disabilities to enjoy the most active and independent lives possible. 

Eric Sheldon is one of their participants at the East Midlands branch and came from a place of social isolation when he discovered the day service. 

Enrych won the Community Award at this year’s North West Leicestershire Local Sports Alliance Sports and Health Awards.

“Eric was one of the original participants in the sports group,” Jones explained. “He has helped its growth, brought new people in and engaged the new people.

“It is his leadership, captaining and positive attitude really that has helped the session grow.”

Eric is visually impaired, but that does not hinder his boccia ability. He set ambitious goals when LCitC caught up with him before, which was amplified when he spoke at this year’s boccia event.

He said: “I have carried on training. I also applied to go to the Invictus Games next year. I have also coached a disabled team near where I live, I have been there twice, and they absolutely love it. 

“They are coming on nicely and hope to come to a tournament themselves next year.” 

Enrych brought four out of the 18 teams to the boccia festivities at King Power Stadium. Sheldon speaks volumes about the sport and how it has helped improve his wellbeing.

“If you haven’t tried boccia, give it a go!” he said. “I like to help people where I can, it gives me a means of getting out of the house.

“It is a good team sport that will hopefully help others how it has helped me.”

You can see Eric’s story HERE. You can also view the first time LCitC caught up with Eric HERE.

If you are curious about LCitC’s Inclusive Practice programme, please email Deputy Inclusive Practice Coordinator Hollie-Mae Gunn via hollie-mae.gunn@lcfc.co.uk.