Mount Gambier Italo Australian Club has dedicated their Bocce lanes to Frank Capriotti in celebration of his 95th birthday.
Mr Capriotti was the inaugural person in Australia to lobby Bocce Australia to have a Raffa Competition.
There are two types of Bocce: Raffa Bocce and Volo Bocce.
In Raffa, players try to throw their bowl as close as possible at the target object declared in advance whereas in Volo, players throw their balls overhand in an attempt to knock away the opponent’s balls.
Mount Gambier Italo Australian club president Rocco Bueti said in most places in Australia, Volo was played up until Frank petitioned for Bocce Raffa to be played.
“He was instrumental in getting Bocce Australia to play the very first Raffa National Championships in Mount Gambier and they have not forgotten that,” he said.
“He has played in many tournaments; he’s been an amazing player and he has represented at state level.
“He’s been to Sydney, Morwell, Melbourne and Adelaide in numerous competitions over the years.
“At most of them Frank either won competitions or was certainly placed in the top three or four teams.
“He has been one of the best Bocce Raffa players in Australia.”
Mr Bueti said they wanted to honour his dedication not only to the club but also to the sport of Bocce itself.
“As a board we decided we would honour him by naming the two Bocce lanes at our club after Frank,” he said.
“We honoured Frank not just because it’s his birthday, but we honoured him because Frank has been looking after the Bocce lanes in our club for over 25 years now.
“We immortalised his name by putting it up there.
“Lina Cher and Bocce Australia past president Raymond Cher honoured Frank by having a huge portrait they mounted, recognising and thanking him for his contribution to the sport over the years.”
Mr Bueti said the newly named ‘The Frank Capriotti Bocce Lanes’ were used in a competition called the Michelin Cup between members of the SA Bocce Federation and Mount Gambier Italo Australian club.
“As a surprise on the Sunday, we as a club arranged, unbeknownst to him, a Bocce team to come from Adelaide who were known to Frank,” he said.
“It was a bit of a mixed team because they mixed all the players up, so it was not all biased on one side.
“Interestingly enough there was a person that came from Adelaide in each team that won first, second and third.”
Mr Beuti said the current president of Bocce Australia and a group of players were invited on the day to the celebration but could not make it as the Australian Bocce Raffa Championships coincided.
“From the competition itself, they livestreamed the video to congratulate Frank for his achievements and thank him for his efforts over the last 25 years,” he said.
In the video, Bocce Australia President Frank Fanari can be seen positioned above the players competing in the Australian Bocce Raffa Championships.
Mr Fanari said it was unfortunate they could not be there with Mr Capriotti to share the special moment.
“We know the Mount Gambier Club is doing a tribute to you, and we wish you, for everything you have done at the club and in Mount Gambier, the best,” he said.
“From a Bocce Australia Perspective, we think if it was not for you and your lobbying Bocce Raffa would not be where it is today here in Australia, and we thank you for that.
“Congratulations to you Frank, not just on your 95th milestone but also for the fact that you were a major instigator in getting Bocce Raffa into Australia, part of Bocce Australia and part of the sports here in Australia.
“On behalf of everyone here we just wish you a fabulous day and we wish you a happy birthday.”
The players in the background could be seen cheering ‘Happy Birthday’ in sync with Mr Fanari.
