Athletes’ Hall of Fame (AHoF).

The Athletes Hall of Fame (AHoF) honours, celebrates and pays due respect to both past and current star athletes of Boccia here in NSW.

Nominations are received by the BNSW from members across NSW who feel they know someone who forefills at least 4 of the 7 criteria outlined in the nomination form. Each year one athlete is chosen and officially inducted at the annual State Titles’ Competition. Nominations for the NSW Boccia Athletes’ Hall of Fame are welcome using the Inductee’s Nomination Form and sent to the NSW President by early February each year.

2023

Fiona Porch

Penrith Boccia Club

As an athlete, Fiona has overcome considerable medical issues, yet consistently wins medals in both single and pairs at local and national competitions. She has shown excellent organizational skills in running Penrith Boccia Club, coaching and encouraging new and existing players. Fiona's commitment, dedication and strength make her a valued member within the Boccia community.

2021

Barry Fear

Barry may well have retired now, but over many years, he has demonstrated his determination to succeed at his chosen sport of Boccia. He has competed ininternational competitions and achieved success at local, State and National level.

2020

Scott Elsworth

Northern Beaches

Over many years, Scott has demonstrated, determination to succeed at his chosen sport of Boccia. He has competed in many international competitions including representing our country at the Paralympics, as well as excellence in achievement in the sport at local, State and National level. Scott worked tirelessly to develop and run the Northern Beaches Waves Club and has also served on the Boccia NSW committee, giving his time to enhance the work of the committee. Scott really is a wonderful asset to the boccia family!

2019

Phil Bates

Hunter Boccia

Over the years, Phil has demonstrated great sportsmanship, service and a commitment to boccia as well as excellence in achievement in the sport. He is referred to as a shining star, gracious in winning and losing, who sets a great example in sportsmanship to all. Even more, he is a wonderful mentor to new players (and officials) and always willing to share tips, both in the Hunter Boccia club he runs with his wife Lucy, and in other competitions. His commitment and dedication extends to his hard work on the Boccia NSW Committee, including managing the Boccia NSW Facebook site, and in his role as athlete representative on the Boccia Australia’s Athlete Committee. Phil really is a wonderful asset to the boccia family.

2018

Wendy Evans 

Hunter Club

Wendy Evans has been an integral part of Hunter Boccia since it commenced in 2012 being one of the original committee members and athletes. She continues to show an enthusiasm and support for Boccia both at club level, where she is now Assistant Club Manager, and competing at national level. Wendy is a BC3 athletes and she has taken on the role of mentor to many new to the sport both players and ramp assistants. Wendy is a formidable boccia player, showing resilience under pressure, and good strategic thinking, winning many medals at State and National competitions and has represented Australia. Wendy is also an outstanding sailor, representing Australia in international sailing competitions and in 2017 became the first sailor with a disability to circumnavigate Lake Macquarie, unassisted. A feat which took her 7 days.
Wendy was nominated by a fellow club member who said ‘She is a great ambassador for the sport. She has helped me a great deal and I am personally very thankful for all she has done for me and the wider boccia community. ‘ 

2017

Dan Michell

Cronulla Sutherland

Dan was introduced to boccia as a 15 year old a through a Muscular Dystrophy NSW camp. His first international competition was at the 2013 Asia and Oceania Championships where he finished fifth and a world ranking of 35. He finished sixth at the 2016 Boccia World Cup In 2016, and was selected to represent Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics at age 21 years. He is the first Australian player selected to compete at the Paralympics since 2000. Dan said on his Rio Paralympics selection stated "I’m hoping it’s going to have a huge impact on the sport and on the reputation and perception of people with severe disabilities. The overriding public perception surrounding severe disabilities is that people living with these disabilities aren’t really capable of succeeding in a sporting atmosphere. There’s an emphasis on being successful through academia, but sport is never really promoted as an avenue through which people with severe physical disabilities can achieve enjoyment and also success". Throughout his boccia career Dan has shown himself to be a true sportsman, determined yet fair & courteous, always ready to encourage newer athletes and participating in the development of the sport across NSW.

2016

Dean Nottle

Central Coast Club

Dean didn’t start playing boccia until he was nearly 60, which goes to show it’s never too late to learn something new. He has been classified as a BC4 player. He has won many championship titles including National Open Singles and Open Pairs, NSW State Open Singles and Pairs, along with other medals from those and other competitions in NSW and interstate. Dean was selected to play internationally for Australia, competing in both Hong Kong and in Sydney. He was appointed Australian captain in 2013. He has received a number of awards, including the Tu Huynh Memorial Award for Sporting Excellence and Determination, Boccia Australia National Referees Award for Sportsmanship and the Boccia NSW Coaches’ Award. Off the court, as well as his duties as captain of both the Australian and NSW teams, Dean has been involved in coaching, mentoring and promoting the sport. Due to the changing nature of his disability, Dean has retired from competing as a BC4 and can be expected to be reclassified as a BC3 sometime in the future.    

2015

Ange McReynolds

Northern Beaches Club

Ange has a distinguish playing record winning NSW more than 5 times in the BC3 classification and the National title 8 times between 1998 and 2012. Altogether Ange has represented Australia at 5 international competitions including the Paralympics in Sydney in 2000. She retired from competitive boccia in 2013 however remained an active supporter of other athletes, taking a special interest in helping junior BC3 athletes develop their game.  Ange came out of retirement late in 2014 and has not lost any of her enthusiasm and determination in getting her game back on track.  She has contributed to boccia as a mentor to young athletes, a member of the Boccia NSW committee and has written a regular items for the Boccia Across NSW newsletter.