Tony Borelli in the men’s team event.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Raffa players from Sydney, Melbourne, Morwell and the North-East Bocce Association enjoyed a thilling weekend of action, competing in the 53rd Mens and 28th Women's Senior Nationals Raffa Opens Championships hosted at the Kyabram Italian Social Bocce Club.
Men’s champions Tony Borrelli and Mario Borrelli with Bocce Australia president Frank Funari and runners-up Pat D'Aulerio and Joe Greco with Bocce Australia secretary Tony Biancacci. Photo: Supplied
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The Kyabram men's team of Giuseppe Greco and Pat D'Aulerio put in a strong performance, winning all qualifying games to go into the semi-final against the Morwell team of Joe and Maria Maselli.
After losing the first three ends of an eight-end game, Greco and D'Aulerio come back to win the next five ends, earning a spot in the grand final.
The other semi-final was played between Paul McInnes and Graham King of Kyabram against Mario and Tony Borrelli of Tatura.
Frank Funari awarded Paul McInnes and Diane Penny the best-and-fairest gongs.
Photo by
Supplied
The father-son combination was too much for McInnes and King, setting up a grand final showdown between Tatura and Kyabram.
The 2025 raffa bragging rights went to the Borrellis, who won the grand final for the second time.
In the women's championship game, Maria Greco and Angiolina Borrelli played off against Diane Penny and Tina D'Urbano of Morwell.
After being down 8-0, Kyabram’s Greco and Borrelli came back to win the game and pick up the gold medal and be crowned the women’s national champions.
Spectators were then treated to a display of precision throwing, where players have to hit predetermined targets, without touching any other bowl.
Young gun brothers Oliver and Liam McInnes put on a dazzling display of accuracy, having only started playing since raffa was introduced at Kyabram.
Maria Greco in the women’s team event.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Liam received the gold medal, while Oliver played off in a three-way tie and picked up the silver medal, defeating his coach Giuseppe Greco.
The brothers’ father, Paul McInnes, was left speechless, when his name was called out to be presented with the judges best-and-fairest award.
KISBC treasurer and event organiser Giuseppe Greco highlighted the club’s joy in hosting the event and was pleased with not just how the club performed but the overall experience of the tournament.
Oliver McInnes in the precision throwing event.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
“The event went very well, our local players from Tatura and Kyabram had great success,” he said.
“The visitors were impressed with our facilities, they thought they were world-class standard and were some of the best they had played on.
“Overall, it was a fantastic event.”
Angiolina Borelli in the women’s team event.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Tony Borrelli also spoke about the event, emphasising his joy at seeing younger players succeed, playing with his father and what’s next for him.
“It’s a sport for all ages as the results show, with brothers Liam McInnes (15) and Oliver McInnes (10) taking out first and second respectively in the precision throw,” he said.
“Personally, it’s always nice to team up with Dad and to take the doubles title for a second time after winning in 2023 was great.
“This weekend my attention switches to the Bocce Volo Senior Australian Championships in Melbourne representing Victoria.”
