A History of Bocce at the Club
From its inception, the Veneto Club was made up of a group of people looking to build a community of its traditions, and the enjoyment of comradery, competition and culture through bocce. Before the Veneto Club was built we had five Bocce courts, then came la Baracca, and with the growing membership and interest a further three bocce courts were built in what is now the Bocce Drome. The social games started, then the picnics, homemade Veneto traditional foods and then intense bocce competitions. Sub-committees for both the men’s and women’s bocce were formalised to manage their competitions, teams and fundraising events.
Our 1st sport, bocce still continues today with eight bocce courts being an integral part of our grand building which proudly hosted the 1979 World Bocce Championship, which was held outside of Europe for the very first time – a major coup for our Club. In 1985, the World Bocce Throwing Championship was also hosted at the Club, as well as the 25th World Bocce Doubles Youth Tournament and 3rd World Youth Throwing Championships in 1988.
The Veneto Bocce teams have had many national and state champions and many club members representing Australia at world titles. A great honour for the Veneto Club is its long list of champions such as Guerrino Favrin, Silvio Gatto and Emilio Colla just to name a few. The men’s and women’s Bocce teams have also participated in many interstate trips to compete against the Veneto Club (SA), Club Marconi and the Yogali Club (NSW).
The bocce committee continues to provide community competitions and games for members and their friends.
BOCCE COURTS
Our Bocce Arena consists of eight courts – all are available to Veneto Club members and the general public for casual hire.
If you have your own bocce - court hire is $4 per court for a one-hour game or 13 points.
If you require bocce hire - the cost is $10 per person which includes court & ball hire fees.
Bookings are essential for members and general public - we require 48 hours notice for these types of bookings.
Our Bocce arena can be used for school sport days and cultural activities run at the Club, as well as for corporate team building activities.
We can tailor a bespoke event be for Educational, cultural, sporting or corporate to meet your needs and can be combined with other facilities available at the Veneto Club.
For a party with a difference - why not try bocce - it’s a game that can be enjoyed
by all ages together!
TUESDAY NIGHTS
On Tuesday nights we have been privileged to have some of Victoria’s elite players donate their time and expertise to introduce bocce to young people. Angelo Parisi, Tony Palermo, and Dino Mikolich lead the junior training at our Club. Bocce is a non-contact sport for boys and girls to play alongside each other equally - it’s the perfect sport for a young person who would like to try something different. There is no cost, and all equipment is provided by the Veneto Club. If you have a young person who may be interested in trying bocce – make contact with the Veneto Club and we can connect you with the junior coaches.
No need to register, just turn up @ 7.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS SOCIAL GAME:
This is for players who have a basic understanding and skills to play bocce.
Bocce will be provided if you don’t have any.
Teams are selected randomly each Wednesday night, either doubles or triples.
The cost is $15 for six weeks; or $4 per night.
At the end of every six weeks prizes are awarded to the players with the most wins.
The 2024 Wednesday night season recommences on 7th February 2024.
THURSDAY MORNING ANZIANI BOCCE
Every Thursday morning at the Veneto Club there will be an Anziani Bocce game. It is designed for senior participants with arrival at 10.15 am for a 10.30 am start of the first game. Two games of bocce each week. Additionally, prizes and lunch are organized to be enjoyed on the last Thursday of each month.
THURSDAY NIGHT - #VCBOCCE:
These evenings are targeted at those who know very little about this great game – sorry this is not aimed at professional players, nor is it a serious competition.
Our target audience is all ages and all abilities, everyone is welcome!
Come alone or come in a group – it is a great way to make new friends.
The night starts at 7 pm sharp and consists of two 45-minute games – playing bocce to the sounds of 80s disco and Italian pop music in the background; followed by a light supper.
Cost: $20 for Veneto Club members and $25 for non-members
You must pre-register online to attend #VCBOCCE.
Go to Trybookings and search on VCBOCCE. Search Events | TryBooking Australia
Registrations close at 6 pm the Monday night before the event.
#VCBOCCE runs every Thursday fortnight – and restarts in 2024 on Thursday 8th February 2024
Read more about the #VCBOCCE nights by following the Friends of Veneto Club Facebook page and also the Veneto Club Facebook page.
FRIDAY NIGHTS - BOCCE TEAM CHALLENGE:
The Veneto Club is proud to have successfully piloted & trialled the first three seasons of the Bocce Team Challenge. This is a six-week competition held every Friday night – played with modified rules and coloured resin balls. It’s a great introduction to the simplest form of bocce. The next season of the Bocce Team Challenge starts on Friday 8th March 2024 – with a free Come-N-Try Night. Come alone or make up a team of family, friends, or work colleagues. The cost is $20 per person or $120 for a team (a team can be 6 to 8 players).
INTERESTED IN DONATING BOCCE BALLS OR TROPHIES TO THE VENETO CLUB:
If you have any old bocce trophies that you no longer want to keep – the Veneto Club will gladly give them a great new home in our bocce courts. Simply box them up and drop them off to the reception desk at the Veneto Club – marked to the attention of the Bocce Committee.
Need more information about Bocce at the Veneto Club:
For any bocce-related queries please email culture@venetoclub.com or sports@venetoclub.com and we will put you in touch with the relevant bocce contacts.