Fundamentals of Boccia

Boccia can be played recreationally in someone’s garage or competitively at the local hall or school gymnasium. Different levels of events take place all year round to cater for a range of goals – whether you want to socialise with friends, develop new skills or compete to the highest level of competition. 

Boccia is a cross between lawn bowls and petanque, boccia is a non-contact target sport that is suitable for a wide range of participants. Boccia is played indoors on a smooth rectangular court and can be played as individuals, in pairs, or in teams of three. Furthermore, it is a sport where men and women compete as equals regardless of age.

The aim of the game is to propel leather balls, coloured either red or blue (which side gets which is determined by a coin toss), as close as you can to a white target ball – the jack. The balls can be propelled by hands, feet, or with an assistive device such as a ramp.

For those who dream of reaching the pinnacle of the sport and who want to compete at the Paralympic Games, boccia is a sport that involves a significant amount of skill and strategy. The top athletes in the world work hard to perfect their game and display a high degree of muscle control, accuracy, concentration, and tactical awareness.

Whether you participate for the pure enjoyment, social interaction, the thrill of a challenge, or you have the ambitions of becoming a Paralympic Games champion, boccia may well be the sport for you! To find out more, visit Boccia New Zealand’s website: www.boccia.org.nz or contact Scott Martin (General Manager) at scott@boccia.org.nz. 

 

Learn more about boccia from this Seven Sharp item featuring ParaFed Canterbury Boccia Club and Boccia NZ