EVERY MONTH, YOUNG MARY PETERS TRUST ATHLETES SPELL OUT HOW THE CHARITY IS AIDING THE PURSUIT OF THEIR SPORTING DREAMS
The Mary Peters Trust is celebrating 50 years since it was set up in 1975 to help talented young athletes achieve their sporting dreams. This month we feature BC4 boccia player Jayne Milligan from Moneyrea.
Jayne receives funding award from Lady Mary Peters
CURRENTLY captaining the Northern Ireland Boccia Academy team in the National League, a role she first took on in 2024, Jayne Milligan’s boccia journey began back in 2017 when she was asked to join the Northern Ireland squad.
“It was such an honour to represent my country, and I love every minute of being part of the Academy,” Jayne says.
“I feel so blessed. We have such a special team bond and always support each other through the ups and the downs. I am so proud of our squad – we are like one big family.”
Jayne this year received backing from the Mary Peters Trust and was one of over 100 athletes who attended a special 50th anniversary Athletes Academy in October at Belfast Harbour Commissioners.
“It was a pleasure to be invited to the Trust’s Academy celebration. It was an interesting evening getting to hear about other sports and to see how MPT is supporting so many athletes especially in disability sports,” Jayne reflected.
“Funding from the Trust will help me with my boccia career, particularly when I’m travelling to competitions in Ireland and around the UK. Mary is an inspiration to many, and I am so grateful for her kindness.”
Since its inception in 1975, the Mary Peters Trust has funded many different para sports and is proud to be a strong supporter of local boccia athletes.
Boccia has been a Paralympic sport since 1984 and is a precision ball sport.
“It’s a game full of strategies,” Jayne explains. “Each and every throw counts and it can change so quickly just by one move. I would encourage everyone to watch a few matches, and you’ll find out why we as competitors love it!
“Growing up in a family who were all very into sport, I found it challenging as I couldn’t play or find a sport that suited my disability. My mum and dad competed in badminton, and my older sister Alanna was involved in gymnastics.
“However, at Fleming Fulton School, my PE teacher pushed us to take part in boccia, and Disability Sport NI would come into school and do sessions with us which I really enjoyed. Now I’m the athlete of the family.”
For Jayne (24), boccia is a major part of her life, from training sessions to competing in top championships both at home and across the water.
Her achievements are many. She has represented Northern Ireland at the UK Boccia Championships three times (2019, 2024 and 2025) and became Boccia Ireland BC4 Champion in 2022, 2023 and 2024 as well as the 2024 Open Champion. Jayne also took bronze at the 2024 Scottish Boccia Open and was a double silver medallist at the Disability Sport Wales Boccia Parasport Festival in 2025.
Training is weekly on Tuesdays in her local Church Hall with her teammates Darryl and Katie and their coach Terry. Each month on Saturdays she attends the Boccia Academy for a full day training session and every month there is usually a weekend Disability Sport NI Boccia competition.
“On Thursday evenings I volunteer at Bangor Boccia club helping younger players develop and we play all types of games. I love doing this as they are a great bunch of people and I hope I can show them what you can be capable of regardless of your disability,” Jayne adds.
In sport, of course, not everything runs smoothly – it’s all part of the journey. As Jayne points out, her most recent competition, the 2025 Scottish Open didn’t go as planned: “I didn’t medal at this event and was so disappointed and felt I had let everyone down. My coach Terry did some straight talking and emphasized that I had played very well but was up against the best in the UK and Ireland.
“Now I can look back at what I learned and see that it was a fantastic experience competing against players such as Paralympic champion Stephen Maguire. Going forward I will have a more positive outlook and will remember that I won’t let people down regardless of results.
“Looking to the future, my dream goal is to win the Boccia UK Championships.”
When she’s not playing boccia, Jayne can be found doing a volunteer receptionist role once a week for the Cedar Foundation as well being an ambassador for Tropic Skincare, saying: “I do love a good skincare routine, and I also love getting out and about, coffee dates, shopping or just being out in the fresh air.”
Jayne’s proudest moment to date is being named ‘Disability Sports NI Boccia Club Person of the Year for 2025,’ adding: “This award reminded me of the incredible impact sports can have on our lives.”
Jayne also pays tribute to her very supportive family: “They are always there to cheer me on. I’m so thankful to have them all but especially my mum and dad who take me to training, competitions and help me with my equipment.
“A big shoutout to my amazing boyfriend Timmy who accompanies me as my sports assistant when we are travelling further away. I appreciate everything he and my family do for me as without them I wouldn’t be able to be so involved in boccia.”
When asked what drives her forward Jayne is clear that boccia has helped her to think through her disability and accept herself for who she is and what she has achieved, insisting: “Without boccia, I may never have had all the amazing sporting opportunities nor have met some of the best people around. Boccia has shown me what I am truly capable of.”
Team work
