So what actually is Boccia?
Boccia is a Target Sport
The aim is to get your coloured balls (either red or blue) closest to the Jack ball
It is played in 3 disciplines, Individuals (6 balls each), Pairs (3 balls each) or Teams (2 balls each)
All players play from a seated position to ensure fairness between players with at least one part of their bum on their chair at any one time When on court, players are sat alternately (red, blue, red, blue, red, blue)
Whilst boccia has some similarities with other ball games such as bowls or boules, there are many differences, one such difference is that rather than boccia being a turn based game, it is whichever coloured ball that is furthest from the Jack that plays next, which introduces a further level of strategy as players may choose to instead position their balls to block their opponent from scoring rather than just get closer to the Jack, thereby allowing their opponents to have a go
Each time all 13 balls are on court, that is one end, the number of ends depends on how many players are playing, in individuals there are 4 ends (each player throws the Jack ball twice), in Pairs, there are 4 ends (each player throws the Jack ball once), In Teams there are 6 ends (each player throws the Jack Ball once)
A History of Boccia
Boccia has roots in Greece, where players threw large stones at a stone target. There were also objects and mural engravings relating to a similar form of the sport that were found as early as 5200 BC during the excavation of the tombs in Egypt. The sport was also played in market places and in the streets during the Middle Ages, and the word ‘boccia’ is derived from the Italian meaning to bowl.
One of the most famous games of boccia was played by Sir Francis Drake and Lord Howard in Plymouth, England, in 1588. They played whilst waiting for the arrival of the Spanish Armada and Sir Francis Drake insisted on finishing the game before sailing out to defeat the enemy.
The sport eventually became wide spread and was initially designed for people with cerebral palsy. It is now played by people who have any kind of neurological impairment that affects their motor function.
Now, the sport is practiced in more than 50 countries worldwide. These countries are all registered as members of World Boccia, which is the official governing body of the sport.
Boccia is a game of strategy in which players demonstrate great skill and determination. It is one of two Paralympic sports that does not have an Olympic counterpart alongside Goalball.
Boccia at the Paralympics
Boccia made its Paralympic Debut in 1984, when the Games were held in New York, USA. During those Games, a total of 19 athletes (11 male, 8 female) represented 5 different countries (Canada, Denmark, Great Britain, Portugal and USA).
Since the first Games in 1984, 30 countries have now medalled, with South Korea, Portugal and Hong Kong leading the way with 11, 9 and 7 gold medals respectively
Classifications In Boccia
Within international Boccia, there are 4 classifications, They are:
BC1 – Players in this classification must have a cerebral based disability. Players may have restricted or involuntary movements in their arms, their range, control and grip of a ball is severely affected, they may prefer to kick the ball to its destination rather than throw it, they are unable to participate in any other sports to a high level, they require the use of an assistant to pass/ round their balls.
BC2 – Players in this classification must also have a cerebral based disability however it is not to the same extent as BC1 players. Players may be able to walk short distances unaided, they may be able to propel a manual wheelchair independently, they may struggle to release the ball but they may be able to participate in other wheelchair sports such as wheelchair rugby.
BC3 – Players in this classification must have either a cerebral or non cerebral disability. Players are unable to walk unaided, they are unable to propel a manual wheelchair independently, they are unable to grip or release a ball consistently, they use an assistive device (ramp) to release the ball
BC4 – Players in this classification must have a non cerebral based disability. Players may be able to propel a manual wheelchair over short distances, they fatigue very quickly, they lack strength in all four limbs, they may prefer to kick the ball rather than throw it.
The classification rules are set by World Boccia and they are tweaked after every Paralympic Games in order to maintain fairness
In International competition, there are a maximum 11 events, Male and Female Individuals for each classification, BC1s and BC2s combine to make a Team event, BC3 have a Pairs event and BC4s have a Pairs event.
Within England however, Boccia England felt that there are too few classifications to allow everyone to play and so they came up with four further classifications, They are:
BC5 – Players in this classification must have a cerebral or non cerebral based disability. Players may be able to walk short distances with assistance, their impairment must clearly impact their throwing arm, their impairment can be seen during their throwing action.
BC6 – Players in this classification must have any physical impairment, Players must have an impairment in one or more limbs, they may be able to walk unaided, their throwing action may not be impacted by their disability.
BC7 – Players in this classification must have a visual impairment. All players must have a recognised visual impairment, they may hold a British Blind Sport classification, they may struggle to see the balls on court, they may use an assistive device (VI Grid) to help them locate the balls, they may have little to no light perception
BC8 – Players in this classification must have a recognised Intellectual Impairment. Players may have a registered learning disability, they may be registered with Special Olympics Great Britain.
Players in this classification have a mixed Individuals competition called the Boccia England National Championships. They are also eligible to compete in the National League which is a Pan disability Teams competition that clubs compete in throughout the competition season. The top ranked teams in England are also eligible for the Super League.
All definitions come from the Boccia England Website which can be found at https://www.bocciaengland.org.uk/classification