Campaign Ambassador - Ciaran Kiely

Name: Ciaran Kiely

Sports/Activities: Boccia

Locality: St Albans

My sporting journey began when I was eight years old at Treloar’s College, where I first discovered boccia, table tennis, powerchair football and swimming. Being introduced to so many different sports at such a young age opened the door to opportunities I had never imagined, and boccia soon became the activity I wanted to pursue more seriously. I started competing in tournaments soon after, and that competitive environment gave me both excitement and purpose.

Along the way, I’ve experienced a range of barriers. There were times where I didn’t have the adapted equipment I needed, and funding was a constant challenge as the costs of ramps, balls and specialist support increased as I got older. Attending tournaments also came with difficulties: early starts, transport issues, long distances between locations, and the need for assistance during competition. Even learning the complexity of the rules was a challenge, but that led me to become a referee, and this added a whole new dimension to my journey with the sport.

I’ve been supported by so many people throughout my journey. My family, support workers, Special Olympics, Sandra King, volunteers, local clubs and Boccia England have all played a huge part. Their help made it possible for me to access new equipment, find local clubs and continue growing as both a player and an official. With more training, better organisation and increasing independence, I’ve progressed further than I ever expected, and I’m now working towards Level 2 refereeing.

Looking ahead, I want to continue enjoying everything boccia has given me - playing, refereeing, training and taking part in more tournaments. I know there is still more to learn and achieve, and I’m excited to keep developing my skills on and off the court. I’d always say to go ahead and try something – it really could help you find a pathway in life!