Crackerjack bid for bocce

Business analyst Ben Ryder wants to do for bocce what the film Crackerjack did for lawn bowls – get young people involved. Mr Ryder (pictured) is a weekend devotee of the game. Like the Crackerjack character Jack Simpson, played by Mick Molloy, Mr Ryder wants younger people to embrace bocce. As a child he joined his parents in the French version, called boules, in the backyard and became enchanted when he saw bocce being played at Bundoora’s Norris Bank Reserve. “There were all these old Italians playing, enjoying themselves,” he says. “I thought we should expand this in the community; it is a social rather than competitive game.” His wife is Italian, and Greek, Macedonian and Italian neighbours are keen for a bocce rink in Satin Park in Bundoora’s Windmill Street. They have petitioned Whittlesea council, which is considering it.