Boccia
Introduction
Prior to being introduced as a competitive sport at the New York 1984 Paralympic Games, Boccia was a popular recreation activity among school children and seniors. When first introduced competitively, Boccia was only played by athletes with cerebral palsy. Today it is a played competitively at national and international level by athletes with a number of neurological impairments. Boccia is one of only two sports which do not have an Olympic counterpart (Goal Ball being the other). The goal of the game is to throw the game balls so that they land as close as possible to the target ball known as the “jack”.
How to PLAY Boccia
Boccia consists of four rounds in individuals and pairs competitions and six rounds in the team competition. All events are mixed gender. It is played on a hard surface with court dimension 12.5m by 6m. The starting team throws the “jack” and the first game ball. Thereafter teams alternate to try to get their game ball closest to the “jack”. Depending on your classification athletes may choose to kick the ball or use assistive devices like ramps.
Who can play Boccia
Impairment Type
To be eligible to play individuals must have impairments affecting all four limbs. This could be either severe neurological impairment including spastic hypertonia, dystonia, athetosis and ataxia or have severe locomotor dysfunction such as muscular skeletal disorders and limb deformities to compete in sport.
To learn more please refer to the Classification Rules found below in 'Resources'.
Classification
Athletes are classified based on measures of Spasticity and Muscle strength. They then fall under the following 4 classifications:
BC1
BC2
BC3
BC4
How Do I Get Classified?
To determine your classification you can contact your peak disability sports organization in your state or territory listed below in 'Who Runs the Sport?'.
If you are unsure you can also learn more from Paralympics Australia by clicking here.
WHere can you participate?
AUSTRALIA
Boccia Australia
E: info@boccia.com.au
Website: http://www.boccia.com.au/home/
STATE / TERRITORIES
New South Wales
Boccia NSW
P: +61 4122580140
hunterboccia@bigpond.com
Queensland
Sporting Wheelies & Disabled Association
P: +61 7 3253 3333
http://www.sportingwheelies.org.au/
South Australia
Boccia South Australia
P: +61 4 5960 6029
info@bocciasouthaustralia.org
Victoria
Boccia Victoria
P: +61 409 021 849
bocciavictoria@hotmail.com
Western Australia
Boccia Western Australia
P: +61 400 513 943
bocciawa@gmail.com
Tasmania
ParaQuad Tasmania
P: +61 3 6272 7513
pdst@paraquadtas.org.au
Northern Territory
Boccia Australia
admin@boccia.com.au
Australian Capital Territory
ACT Boccia
P: +61 2 6262 8670
actboccia@gmail.com
Resources
Videos
How to Play Boccia from Boccia New Zealand
Information about Boccia from Boccia Australia
Athlete Profile Fiona Lyons from Boccia Australia
Resources
International Rulebook from Boccia International Sports Federation
Classification Rules from Boccia International Sports Federation