KELLOGG — The sun shined on the Silver Valley Superstars as they recently took first place at the Regional Bocce Tournament at McIntire Family Park in Coeur d’Alene. The Special Olympics of Idaho put on the tournament, consisting of five teams from across the Panhandle, including Moscow, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, Coeur d’Alene and the Silver Valley Superstars.

Athletes April Cason, Justin Davis, Andrea Jo Mousseau and Kristen Payne were on the winning team, coached by Donna Davis and Brandon Church. Two team members, Joanne Coast and Landa Lacey went to all the practices but could not attend the tournament due to other arrangements.

Church, a local business owner with Jim’s Bobcat and Towing, became involved as a volunteer when he was told they were having difficulty finding a coach.

“I’ve volunteered with the Special Olympics for about six years, and I know how hard it can be to find people to coach,” Church said. “I wanted to make sure the athletes didn’t go without the Bocce Ball as they couldn’t wait for the season to start.”

Bocce is an Italian game played with eight large balls and one smaller target ball called a pallina (Italian for the little ball). The objective of this game is to get as many large balls as close to the pallina as possible. Each team rolls or throws four large Bocce balls, scoring one point for each Bocce ball closest to the pallina.

This sport can provide people with special needs the opportunity to have social contact, develop physically and gain self-confidence.

“Special Olympics is the only thing in our area for these athletes to get out and be a part of something,” Church explained.

Three of these athletes, Cason, Coast and Mousseau, also competed in a powerlifting competition in August, winning first place in their respective categories while breaking world records.

Special Olympics Idaho began in 1971, recently celebrating its 50th anniversary, celebrating 50 years of inclusion and acceptance in Idaho.

For more information on Special Olympics or volunteer opportunities, please visit https://www.specialolympicsidaho.org/