2009 World Bocce Championships in Bevagna, Italy - March 28 - April 5, 2009

Livermore, CA- The United States Bocce Federation is proud to announce that 8 women from the Bay Area of California will be competing in the World Bocce Championships in Bevagna, Italy March 28 -April 5, 2009. 16 countries will be sending their national teams, and 2 forms of bocce will be played. Punto, Raffa, Volo is the international version of Bocce and requires multiple levels of precision and chess like strategy. The United States Punto, Raffa, Volo team qualified for the World Championships by winning the Gold medal at the National Bocce Championships in Highwood, Illinois in June, 2008.

The Women’s United States Volo team will also be competing at the World Championships in Bevagna, Italy. Volo is the oldest form of Bocce also known as Boule Lyonaise in France. The Women’s Volo team qualified to represent the United States by enduring a grueling tryout competing in the extremely difficult 5 minute speed shooting event and precision shooting.

Bocce on the World level is much larger than most people recognize and it is quite an honor to be able to send women from our region to the World Championships. The World Championships play host to the best players in the world and this year is no exception. With Bocce being the second most popular ball sport in the world, the level of play at this years World Bocce Championships is going to certainly be one nobody will overlook. It is the first time that both Punto, Raffa, Volo and Volo will be combined at the same competition at the world level. It is truly a landmark event.

PLAYER BIOS: Punto, Raffa, Volo Team

RENA HAREL- Rena discovered Punto, Raffa, Volo just over two years ago, and was part of the team that won Gold and Bronze medals at the 2008 National Championships, as well as the Silver Medal at the 2008 North American Championships

MARIA G. NARAYAN- Maria has played Punto, Raffa, Volo for just under 3 years and is a two time Gold Medalist in Punto, Raffa, Volo at the United States Bocce Championships in 2007 and 2008. Maria also earned the Silver medal at the 2008 North American Bocce Championships. Maria is also on the Board of Directors of the United States Bocce Federation.

DEBBIE O’SULLIVAN- Debbie is the Captain of this years United States Women’s Punto, Raffa, Volo team. Debbie has been playing bocce for nearly 5 years. Debbie was also on the Gold Medal winning team at the 2008 United States Bocce Championships held in Highwood Illinois. Debbie has twice won the Gold Medal in the Individual Punto, Raffa, Volo precision shooting competition as well as the Gold Medal in Volo shooting

COLLEEN RANDAZZO- Colleen as well is fairly new to Bocce and was an integral player being a member of the 2008 Gold and Bronze winning teams at the 2008 national Bocce Championships. Colleen was also on the Silver Medal team at the 2008 North American Bocce Championships. Colleen is the current United States Bocce Federation Secretary.

JOHN ROSS, COACH- John has been an avid bocce player for over 12 years. He served as coach of the U.S. Women’s Punto, Raffa, Volo team in Ossana, Italy at the first women’s team World Championships in 2001. John is excited about the skill level of the current U.S. Team and is honored to have been selected by them to be their coach. John was President of the United States Bocce Federation 2004 to 2008

Volo Team

NAVINA BERNARDI: Navina is relatively new to the game of Bocce and is the youngest on the team. Navina has a family of Bocce history with her Father and Brother both having competed on the National and International level.

SALINNA GRANT: Salinna fell in love with Bocce upon starting employment at Campo di Bocce in the fall of 2006. Since then Salinna has competed regionally as well as Nationally earning the Bronze Medal at the 2008 National Bocce Championships held in Highwood, Illinois

TIFFANY GARLAND-MARTINI: Tiffany is the captain of the Women’s team representing the USA at the World Bocce Championships this year in Italy. Tiffany fell in love with Bocce only two years ago and has already accomplished many goals and is ready to take on the worlds best.

MEGAN WISEMAN: Megan was on the Bronze medal team at the National Championships in Highwood, Illinois in June of 2008. Megan’s performance on the National level of Bocce immediately escalated her to the International level where she competed in the North American Bocce Championships in Toronto, Ontario where her team performed with excellence and won the silver medal.

BEN MUSOLF, COACH: The need for athleticism and chess like strategy is what really made Ben fall in love with the game of Bocce. Throughout the years Ben has received numerous medals and accolades on the National Bocce level. Ben has played host to both National and International Bocce events and has had the opportunity to represent the USA both as a Coach and Player. Ben is currently on the Board of Directors of the United States Bocce Federation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
BEN MUSOLF
Benjamin@campodibocce.Com
408-857-0074 Cellular
925-249-9800 Office

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