A TEAM of students from Beacon Hill Academy completed one of their ‘greatest sporting achievements’ to secure a bronze medal in the Under-19s National Boccia Championships.

The South Ockendon school’s pupils travelled to Sheffield for the finals, run by Boccia England, with champions from 12 regions across the country competing for the national title at the English Institute of Sport.

Representing the East Anglia South region having won this regional title in the Physical Disability section, Beacon Hill sent two teams having also qualified for the PAN Disability Finals as well.

The Physical Disability team of Reece Bowers, Callum Branch and Courtney Burgess came through pool play before losing in the semi-final to last year’s champions Angmering of Sussex.

However, they defeated Plymouth’s Woodlands School 7-1 to claim a medal.

“I am ecstatic with the way our PD team played,” said coach Bradon Mullin. “Finishing as the third best Boccia team in the country is one of our school’s greatest sporting achievements.”

Callum Branch a member of the team added: “Taking part in the boccia final was great.

“It was so much more intense than the other competitions. On the day I was quite nervous and had put in extra practice to improve my throwing.

“The best part of the day was coming third. I couldn’t believe we actually won a medal. Since playing boccia I have felt included and I’m really enjoying playing it.”

The PAN team finished seventh in what was the first time Beacon Hill had qualified in the division.

Brandon Morris, Aadi Ghimire and Aaron Rundell secured two wins during the day as the Pan team.

“It was my first time competing at this level in Boccia stadium and it was a real test,” said Brandon. “The level of play was high and, despite a slow start, I am proud to finish seventh in the PAN division.”