Bocce club closure leaves players searching for new venue

It is more than 20 years ago that a small group of dedicated Italians and Southern Europe immigrants got together at Forest Glen to socialise and play Bocce. 

Unfortunately, at the end of the year, the Sunshine Coast Bocce Club will be disbanding and will therefore be relinquishing the tenure of its Laidlaw Road venue.  

Special Olympics Sunshine Coast Bocce group hosted a special morning tea recently (November 1) to mark the end of an era and to thank the Bocce Club for the use of their venue and their support over the past 20 years.

This means that Special Olympics SC will now have to find a new place for their Saturday morning Bocce games as Council has indicated that the venue will not be available next year.

Over the years, Special Olympics have hosted State Games and many Inter-regional games at the venue and have valued the support from the SC Bocce Club.  

From those games,  Special Olympics SC has seen a number of their Bocce athletes selected to represent in National and Asian Pacific games. 

This year four of their athletes have been chosen to represent Queensland in the National Games being held in Melbourne in 2026.  

“It is a union that will be sadly missed,” said Liffy Brake, one of the athlete’s parents. “The club has been fantastic in their support and the venue is unique and will be difficult to replace.  

It’s very sad to think it won’t get used now,” she said.

Club President Iain Holland said it was disappointing that the club, started by immigrants, was to close. 

“This small group financed and built the playing area and clubhouse on the reclaimed tip at Woombye,” he said. 

“Unfortunately age and a lack of younger players has resulted in the demise of the Club. 

“Our remaining members will hopefully meet up and reminisce of times gone bye. 

“It is such a sad situation for the Special Olympics group, who we offer our best wishes to as they hopefully find a new ‘home’.”