Five years ago Jamieson Leeson had never even heard of the wheelchair sport of boccia, but now she’s a world champion and top contender for the 2024 Paralympics.
Key points:
- Jamieson Leeson has returned home after winning a gold medal at the 2023 World Cup for the wheelchair sport of boccia
- She has now risen to the number two boccia player in the world
- Boccia, similar to lawn bowls, is a game of accuracy which involves rolling a coloured ball towards a white ball
When the 20-year-old left her tiny country town of Dunedoo to compete in the Montreal 2023 World Cup, she returned with a gold medal in the pairs event and an overall global rank of number two.
The central western town is home to just over 1,000 people, now including an international gold medallist.
“It’s really been a whirlwind, going from the world number 20-something to the world number two in the past 12 months,” Ms Leeson said.
“I’m really happy with my results and I can’t wait to see what happens next year.”
Ms Leeson said her competitive ambitions were thwarted when COVID forced the cancellation of several tournaments, but she is now eagerly eyeing off the 2024 Paralympics.
Boccia is a game of accuracy similar to lawn balls, involving athletes throwing, kicking, or rolling a ball depending on their disability.
Jamieson has spinal muscular atrophy, which prevents her from throwing a ball or lifting her arms.
That’s where her mum Amanda Leeson comes in.
Mother-daughter team
Without ever looking at the ball, Amanda must angle a ramp for Jamieson to use based purely on verbal instructions.
The mother-daughter team has won medals at the 2019 Hong Kong World, the 2019 Seoul Asia-Oceania Regional Champions, and the Open 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Lynne Anderson, former CEO of Paralympics Australia during the Tokyo games, said the young up-and-comer had a natural knack for the sport.
“She’s learning the ropes, but she’s got this fearless attitude of the young women of today and I love it,” Ms Anderson said.
“Boccia is a beautiful sport. For me it’s almost a quintessential example of what Paralympic sport is all about.”
Amanda Leeson said she had never imagined this sport would take the pair all around the world and back again to their home in Dunedoo.
“I think we’re the only mother-daughter team that’s been on the Paralympics … so that’s something that’s a bit unique and a bit special, and memories we’ll have forever,” she said.
“I’m so proud of Jem finding her niche in life and giving her some drive and a career path to follow.”
Now the mother and daughter have returned home, they are already back in training mode with their sights set firmly on Paris 2024.
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