Bocce Club is one of Sun City’s largest charter clubs, with over 700 members each summer coming Monday through Friday to play bocce. Bocce courts from June to August are filled with residents playing, laughing, and socializing with one another as they all enjoy the famous Italian game.
On a warm summer day, members of Sun City’s bocce club compete against one another during a tournament and watch closely as the balls roll across the court. Bocce Club has been available to Sun City residents every summer from June to July. (Photo provided)
But the club may soon come to an end if no one volunteers to be president or vice president.
Bocce Club’s current president, Nancy Eggers, and vice president, Sharon Bickford, are leaving their roles after next season.
Eggars and Bickford have been lifetime friends, knowing one another since elementary school. Eggars was the first to become an officer and will be Eggar’s eighth and final year as president for the club.
According to Eggars, she helped Bickford become vice president, and after six years of volunteering together, they will be stepping down together.
Though only recently has the departure been officially announced, Bickford and Eggars have been hinting at their withdrawal for the last couple of years.
According to them, despite the club having over 700 members, no one has volunteered to step up and keep the club running.
“It’s always easier to just come and have fun without having to do anything or worry about anything,” said Bickford. “They [the club members] might be thinking that [it] has to take way too much work, but we really only do it in the summer.”
Volunteering for president and vice president is a lot of work, and both Eggars and Bickford note that after COVID-19, many people became entitled and demanding, another reason for their departure.
“I feel like, in the last couple of years, the rudeness has really picked up,” said Bickford. “And so that’s frustrating too. You don’t feel like you’re being appreciated for the work that you’re doing, which makes the work harder.”
“I [want to] spend my own time doing my own thing now,” said Eggars. “I volunteered a lot in my lifetime… and after a while you get burned out.”
Despite feeling burned out, she explained how important bocce is for the community and how accessible it is for everybody.
“[It’s easy to play] especially for older people because we have openings so if you’re in a wheelchair or a walker, you can just glide right [into the court],” said Eggars. “It’s easy for anybody to play.”
Bickford also emphasized the importance of Bocce Club.
“This is something that the less physically fit people can participate in. You can meet new people when you’re out in the fresh air,” said Bickford. “It’s just a very social, fun activity, even if you’re limited in your physical skills. I think that’s important.”
Bickford also stated that despite both she and Eggars leaving, they will help whoever volunteers with the responsibilities of the leadership roles before completely departing.
But if no one signs up, there will be no more beloved Bocce Club.
“It’s really hard to get somebody to step in,” Eggars said. “[People] just want the fun and they don’t want the responsibilities.”
If you are interested in volunteering to become Bocce Club’s new president or vice president, you can email them at suncityboccepresident@gmail.com.
