I travel a lot, have a lot of meetings as well as training, so the easiest way for me to keep everyone updated on what I’ve been up to is my blog / latest news! So, at the end of each month going forward, I’ll give an overview of each month, and what’s coming up next!
Website Launch
After nearly 3 months of hard work, edits and meetings, my website launched! I’m so thankful to Marty and Aaron for taking the time and energy to work on it and for giving me a chance to tell my story in another way outside of social media. Marty has been an amazing sounding board for me, to build my brand and to help me spread the word about boccia and we have some great plans in the works for the New Year!
Claire Taggart – Claire Taggart Boccia
26 Days Off!
I had a long break after the last international event of the year in Povoa. I created a ‘bucket list’ of sorts, of things I never have time to do including:
- Pottery Painting at Eden Pottery
- Cinema to see Exorcist Believer
- Mini Golf at Scrapyard Golf
- Chippy Tea in my van
- Dessert dates with mum
These may seem like simple things, but boccia is more than a full time job – if you take into account the amount of travelling I do. My parents sacrifice a lot for me, so it was great to be able to spend some time with them doing things other than boccia!
https://www.facebook.com/reel/191869080635088
The Gaitway Organisation
Often I am invited to give talks or boccia demonstrations, but my travel and competing schedule means I’m not at home for long periods to be able to fulfill these. Luckily, Rachel from the Gaitway Organisation got in touch with me in September and we were able to plan a boccia session during my time off. It was a great morning at Crawfordsburn Scout Hall, and with Terry from DSNI, I played boccia with the young people who were there for the week long camp.
Filming / Media
I’ve had a busy month of filming, and I can’t talk about any of it! It’s really exciting to be honest, as the opportunities I’ve had so far have been random and so unique, and to see boccia and disability sport being exhibited in a way not seen before is so exciting. All I will say though is that learning lines is NOT my forte, and I may need some acting lessons!
Larne FC Business Breakfast
As I’m building my brand, and thinking how to spread awareness of boccia, I was invited to the Larne FC Business Brunch where Chris Brindley MBE was the guest speaker. I was privileged to spend some time with Chris after the presentation, where we talked about my story, challenges I have faced as a disabled person and the strategies I’ve used (and continue to use!) to overcome barriers. Chris has offered to help me raise my profile, and I am truly grateful for this opportunity.
The Second Colouring Book Launch
Some people may know that my side hustle (Nifty Notebooks NI) has been taking a back seat recently with the amount I’m travelling and competing. However, in my time off from boccia I set myself the goal of completing the artwork for my Second Colouring Book, and ordering it. I was able to do this, and honestly I’m delighted with the results. This one has more patterns and animal pages than my first one, and hopefully it won’t take me 2 years to make the Third Version!
The Second Colouring Book / A5 Adult Colouring Book / Stocking – Etsy UK
Athlete Media Group
I also announced this month that I have been signed to an agency – AMG. It’s another thing I never thought was possible, boccia being a small and relatively unknown sport – but Callum and Mark from AMG were keen to get me on board. The thing that really made me want to work with them was their passion for things OUTSIDE of sport – their vision of their athlete’s being ‘Powered By Purpose’. My purpose beyond boccia is disability advocacy and etiquette, through my work at the Paralympics GB AthCom and as the Disability Access Officer at Larne FC. AMG | Powered by purpose (athletemedia.co.uk)
Disability Sport Podcast with Aaron Fowler
With my busy schedule, we’ve been trying to arrange this podcast for a few months, but FINALLY we recorded it in November. Aaron’s knowledge of Disability Sport is vast, and playing VI Rugby for England gives a different lived experience from mine, but it was a pleasure to chat with Aaron.
Northern Ireland vs Denmark
I was invited by the IFA to watch Northern Ireland play, and also to catch up with Jason Browning, NI Disability Access Officer. Although it was freezing, it was a great night, and for NI to beat Denmark 2:0 was an absolute bonus! Thank you Norrie and Jason for arranging, and I look forward to seeing you both soon.
UK Championships 2023
Last weekend was the UK Champs, at the University of Warwick in Coventry. It’s always a great weekend of catching up with other athletes we don’t see very often and to play for Northern Ireland only happens once a year. I was able to retain my title as UK Champion, and it was great to see lots of new faces on the podium.
Next Month:
It’s almost Christmas, but before that I have a final training camp in Largs, before the the festive period truly begins! My boyfriend and his family are coming over to visit from Scotland for a few days before Christmas, so we will be having 2 Christmas’s effectively!
I’m training throughout the Festive Period, with a few days off, but planning to keep the momentum I have had throughout 2023, into 2024.