The ‘Boccia Boss’, Chloe Sturt, is aiming to make a strong impact in Finland at the World Challenger event in Pajulahti (7–15 May) later this week, when she takes to the court for her second major international competition.
Rangiora-based Chloe only returned to Boccia in 2024 after a seven-year absence, but she has already made a significant impression. Last November, she made her international debut for New Zealand at the World Challenger event in Canberra, and in her latest overseas outing in Finland she will be looking to build on that progress in the precision ball sport.
“I love Boccia because it is one of the few things I can do where I can truly challenge myself,” explains Chloe, who became known as the ‘Boccia Boss’ after setting up a Facebook page with a previous coach under that name. “I will succeed or fail because of my own effort.”
Born with cerebral palsy which affects all four limbs and her trunk, Chloe was introduced to Para sport through ParaFed Canterbury after moving from Queenstown to Christchurch at the age of 10, and Boccia quickly became her sport of choice.
“I love how Boccia is more technical than people think,” she adds. “It’s often seen as simply throwing a ball closest to the ‘jack’, but there’s so much more to it. There are many different elements to every move. It’s a very strategic game — competitive but friendly — and it gives me a real sense of belonging.”
Mentored in her younger years by Paralympian #134 Stacey Roche, who competed at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, Chloe fondly recalls the thrill of winning a medal at the 2016 North Island Championships in Wellington.
However, in 2017, after more than a decade in the sport, she stepped away for seven years to focus on other areas of her life.
“It became hard to travel independently, especially when more than one wheelchair user was trying to get on the bus to training,” Chloe explains. “I instead prioritised learning to live independently after moving back to Christchurch.”
Yet her Boccia journey was not over. Two years ago, after bumping into Boccia New Zealand General Manager Scott Martin in Christchurch, she was encouraged to return. After reconnecting with Boccia New Zealand Sport Development Lead Trevor Jenkinson, she re-engaged with the sport and has not looked back.
Training between 10 and 12 hours per week, Chloe combines technical skill work with strength and conditioning in the gym, using a mobility hand cycle, and occasional sessions in the hydrotherapy pool. Through Trevor, she was introduced to her primary coach, Taylah (Tay) Catton-Smith, who now plays a pivotal role in her development.
“A huge focus of our training has been building a strong relationship, and over time we’ve become inseparable,” Chloe says of Tay. “For Tay, it’s been about getting to know me as a person first and an athlete second. That’s allowed her to better understand how my cerebral palsy affects me.
“Due to the nature of my disability, training often evolves depending on how my muscles are performing. Trevor also brings a wealth of knowledge, so the three of us work closely together.”
Supported by a strong team, Chloe, 30, earned selection for the New Zealand Boccia team last year and made her international debut at the Canberra World Challenger event, finishing fifth in the Individual BC2 Female competition Receiving her New Zealand cap #25, she said: “It was an honour to represent New Zealand as number 25, and it felt like a real kickstart to my competitive Boccia career — something I had dreamed about since I was younger.”
She was also named Emerging Talent of the Year at the ParaFed Canterbury Awards, capping off a memorable 12 months for the rising star.
Chloe now hopes to build on that success in 2026, beginning with her appearance this week at the Pajulahti World Challenger, where she will compete in the Individual BC2 Female competition. Her goal is to improve on her performance in Canberra and gain valuable ranking points ahead of further international opportunities later in the year.
“I want to compete at a World Cup event in Brazil in November,” she explains. “These events attract a high number of top 10 ranked athletes, which will really test where I’m at as a Boccia player. I’ll also be travelling to the Czech Republic with a New Zealand team in early September, where I can compete in both team and individual events.
“I also want to be a strong contender at the Boccia New Zealand National Championships in Auckland in September and challenge for a national title.”
And in the longer term?
“I’d love to have enough success to inspire others with a similar impairment to take up the sport,” she adds. “Ideally, that success will lead to one day representing New Zealand at the Paralympic Games.”
***Find out more about Boccia here.
