Congratulations to the Highwood Bocce Club’s 2022 National Team. Fifteen athletes competed and 10 athletes returned home with 9 medals won in 6 events. Two of our gold medalists (Amy Lazzaretti and Miles Russell) qualified for the Bocce World Cup in Turkey to be held in November of this year. This group trained long and hard and many gave selflessly of their own time to make those around them better. Bravo to each of you.

Thank you to so many. To the Sons of Italy Methuen for hosting this years National Tournament. We know a tremendous amount of volunteer hours make the event possible and Highwood thanks you for a wonderful experience. Special thanks to Lio Gianotti for donating his time and expertise to coach and develop the team. Lio is the only person I know that could have done this, and done it so well.

Thanks to Alex Gara and the rest of the American Bocce Company crew for their up front partnership, team sponsorship, and perhaps most importantly for introducing many of these athletes to our Club and being such amazing partners in the promotion of this sport. Thanks to Maurizio Perrelli for helping me with much of the background preparations and logistics that all benefitted from. And finally I want to thank all the HBC members and board for both the financial and moral support of this team, and of our amazing Club overall.

Looking ahead to 2023…We achieved another major milestone this week when the USBF board accepted our bid to host the 2023 Nationals Championship! Yes, you heard correctly. Next year the HBC will host the best bocce players from around the country in the summer of 2023. This gives us all an opportunity to showcase our club, city and members. This will require significant planning and lots of work. I will ask for many to help, and will be grateful for any volunteers. Thank you in advance for your support!