Last Updated on 28/11/2025 by Crip Life
Sophie Newnham is the latest rising star for Great Britain in boccia. At just 17, she is the youngest member of Boccia UK’s World Class Programme and already has multiple medal successes, including a silver medal at the Povoa World Cup – where she beat the world number two – two medals at the European Championships and most recently two golds at the Coimbra World Cup. In November 2025, it was announced she had become world number one in boccia.
We got the opportunity to interview Sophie Newnham about her success in boccia so far, her future goals in the sport and her ongoing studies, plus the challenges she faces living with muscular dystrophy.
Sophie Newnham on her introduction to boccia
Sophie was first introduced to boccia at Treloar’s School, where many of her teammates, including David Smith, Sally Kidson and the late Will Arnott, began their craft in the unique disability sport.
Sophie admitted she wasn’t immediately drawn to boccia but slowly grew to love the game:
“When I was first introduced to boccia when I was 13, I was not immediately grabbed by the sport. However, my love for boccia grew as time went on, and I was able to learn more of the intricacies and tactics. The idea of learning strategies and outthinking opponents is what grabbed me. I attended my first competition when I was 14, and I enjoyed seeing the competitive side to all athletes at my first event.
Sophie continued to share how it felt to be the youngest member of Boccia UK’s World Class Programme:
“Being the youngest member of Boccia UK’s World Class Programme allows me to absorb so much information, as all of the athletes have so much experience and knowledge that can be passed down. Everyone in the squad acts as a role model to me.”
Sophie was part of a ParalympicsGB delegation visiting the Paralympic Games in Paris, designed to inspire future Paralympians and familiarise them with the scale of the event. She explained what she learnt from the experience:
“I really enjoyed being a part of ParalympicsGB’s Paralympic Inspiration Programme and attending the Paris Paralympic Games. It enabled me to see the environment within the biggest competition of our sport. Hopefully, I will be lucky enough to compete in the Paralympics in my career and attending Paris will have prepared me for that, both in terms of what the village was like as well as the venue.”
Sophie Newnham’s rapid rise through the boccia rankings
Sophie was a member of Boccia UK’s Talent Transition squad in 2023, at the age of 15, and in the same year secured gold at the World Youth Championships with Tyler McLelland in the BC4 Pairs.
She has also reached the podium at the UK Championships, two years running, winning silver in 2022 and bronze in 2023.
She made her senior international debut in 2024 and has impressed by winning medals at major events and competing against highly ranked athletes. The highlight of her career so far is winning silver at the Póvoa World Cup in July 2024, with a notable victory over Alison Levine, then ranked world number two.
Speaking about how it felt to secure so much success early in her career, Sophie said:
“In my debut international boccia year, I won five medals out of eight events, which was an incredible achievement for me. I didn’t quite believe it to be honest, but it shows all the hard work I had put in the year before my international competitions started. I now just hope to continue on the path I’m on.”
Sophie Newnham strikes gold and bronze at European Championships
Sophie has continued her rise up the ranks in boccia this month – competing at the European Championships in Zagreb, Croatia – in which she won gold in the BC4 Pairs with GB veteran and Paris 2024 individual gold medallist Stephen McGuire. She also won a bronze in the BC4 individual.
The teenager from Surbiton, Southwest London, is certainly making an impression on the sport, beating world top ten players:
Reacting to her individual bronze medal win, Sophie said: “I knew I could medal at the European Championships if I played well, but I knew it would be tough. I played well in the pool stages of the event, but felt as though I had a shaky quarter-final. As soon as I got over the line in the quarter, I was pleased to know I had two matches for a shot at a medal, and I’m pleased to be able to say I am a European medalist.”
Sophie continued to share what it was like pairing with Stephen McGuire and winning gold:
“Steph is an incredible boccia player, and I knew our combined skills could get us far in the competition. Our goal was to medal and therefore qualify for the World Championships in 2026, so I’m pleased we were able to do that for the Boccia UK BC4 Pair.”
Overall, Great Britain’s boccia stars headed home from the European Championships with a record-breaking medal haul and topped the medal table. Other winners included Stephen McGuire winning a BC4 individual gold medal, David Smith securing gold in the individual BC1, Sally Kidson getting her first European title in the individual BC3 and Mum-to-be Kayleigh Brown getting an individual bronze..
Read: Great Britain Celebrates Triple Podium Success at Seoul Boccia World Cup
Sophie Newnham becomes world number one
On 27th November 2025, it was announced that Sophie has now become world number one in boccia, thanks to her rapid climb up the rankings is one of the fastest ever recorded in the sport, according to Boccia UK.
She has also made the shortlist for the UK Sport PLX Awards, which takes place on 2nd December. The Athlete Award recognises the athlete who has had the biggest turnaround or breakthrough in the last year.
It’s certainly been a busy 2025 in which the teenager has medalled at every tournament she has entered. She is fresh from returning home from the Coimbra World Cup in which she not only won gold in the individual BC4 women’s event – but in the Pairs event too with team-mate Stephen McGuire.
Reacting to the recognition, Sophie said: “I’m really pleased to end the year as world number one, having started the year at the number nine spot. It’s putting me in a strong position ahead of next year. In the Pair, with Stephen, we finish the year as third in the world and Stephen as world number one. This is really exciting for us as we start to prepare for the World Championships in Seoul.”
Sophie Newnham on handling pressure and inspiring future boccia players
Sophie also opened up about how she manages the mental pressures of competing in elite boccia:
“Whilst I’m still fairly new in the sport, I remind myself there is no expectation to be delivering such high results, which automatically reduces the mental pressure. However, internal expectations are increasing as I achieve results and climb the world rankings, so I’m working hard to ensure this does not bring added pressure.”
Sophie went on to advise other aspiring boccia players: “My biggest piece of advice to aspiring boccia players is to get involved wherever you can and take all the opportunities as you never know where it might lead you. I would also recommend getting in touch with athletes who can provide guidance or answers where you may have questions.”
Sophie Newnham on university life and living with muscular dystrophy
Away from boccia, Sophie revealed she is about to start university following her time at Treloar’s:
“I have finished my time at Treloars after being there for six years. I am beginning my undergraduate degree at the University of Sussex this September to study Accounting & Finance. I am excited to get back to studying and continue playing boccia.”
Sophie finished by sharing a bit about her disability and how she overcomes practical and societal barriers:
“I have a disability called muscular dystrophy, which is a progressive muscle-wasting condition. As a result, I use a powered wheelchair, which can lead to access difficulties when I’m going places. However, I do a lot of planning and research before I travel to minimise the risk of facing issues.”
You can follow Sophie Newnham on Instagram.
You can find out more about Boccia UK by visiting its website and following on Facebook and Instagram.