The Best Type of Teammate
Which ancient game was the first documented in hieroglyphics on Egyptian tombs over 7,000 years ago? It can be played by both the young or old, and today is not only an Olympic sport — it is the third most played sport in the world! What is the sport?
Bocce!
Pronounced “bah-chi,” the idea of the game is to be the closest to the target ball. The first step is to toss out the small, white target ball called a jack or pallino. Each team then takes turns tossing their bocce, their larger ball, toward the target ball; they have four chances. The team that lands their bocce closest to the pallino wins the point!
Here’s what else bocce is: FUN!
Well — that’s what Restaurant Trades junior Natalie Foster claims (and we agree). A third-year player, Foster shares that “one of the most exciting moments I have occurs each game — seeing who will win!”
Often, the last few points comes down to a simple two-point “kiss.” When the bocce actually lands right next to the pallino and touches it!
Yes — the sport is exciting, but Foster puts it into focus when she states this: “I’ve learned how to be a good teammate. Doing my best and encouraging my teammates is important.”
A conscientious player, Foster consistently informs her teachers any time she needs to miss a class, and she always makes up her work. This enables her to continue to maintain her position on the team — an important part of teamwork; she knows that she must do what she needs to do so she can do what she loves to do, and this is an important lesson that any student-athlete can learn!
Although Foster states that she’s been able to make some wonderful friends as a member of the team, she shares, “Boccce is fun to play — even if you’re not playing for a school.”
Sponsored by the Ellwood City School District, the bocce team has been an officially PIAA sanctioned sport for the past five years. Once again, the team has made it into the playoffs — and Natalie couldn’t be more pleased!
We’re pretty darn proud of you, too, Natalie, for being the BEST type of team player! Good luck Wildcat Bocce Team, and go get ‘em, Natalie!
